India 15 - Rajasthan (Chapter)

Rajasthan

WESTERN

R AJASTHAN

Rajasthan

GETT iNG A ROUND

Rajasthan

JA iSA lMER

surrounding Thar Desert. Competition to

get your bum into a camel saddle can be

fierce, with some operators adopting un-

pleasant hard-sell tactics. Generally speak-

ing, though, this is a much more laidback,

hassle-free place to stay than the likes of

Jaipur or Jodhpur.

Jaisalmer celebrates its desert culture

in January or February each year with the

action-packed Desert ̈ Festival, featuring

camel races, camel polo, folk music, snake

charmers, turban-tying contests and the fa-

mous Mr Desert competition. Many events

take place at the Sam sand dunes.

History

Jaisalmer was founded way back in 1156 by a

leader of the Bhati Rajput clan named Jaisal.

The Bhatis, who trace their lineage back to

Krishna, ruled right through to Independ-

ence in 1947.

The city’s early centuries were tempestu-

ous, partly because its rulers relied on loot-

ing for want of other income, but by the

16th century Jaisalmer was prospering from

its strategic position on the camel-train

routes between India and Central Asia. It

eventually established cordial relations

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Bhatia

Market

First

Fort

Gate

AirForce

Circle

Hanuman

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Bikes

Narayan

Cycles

Taxi

Stand

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State

BankATM

ICIC

BankATM

Thomas

Cook

MainBus

Stand

Private

BusStand

LuckyTours

&Travels

ATM

ATM

Internet

Cafe

Internet

Cafe

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Jaisalmer

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MarinaMahalJain

Restaurant(400m)

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SamSand

Dunes(40km)

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