Jaisalmer Fort Rajasthan: A 2024 Guide For Visiting The Sonar Quila

India’s quintessential land of maharajas, medieval forts, palaces, and kaleidoscopic festivals – Rajasthan is one of the best and must-visit places in India, for both domestic and international tourists alike. If you want to explore the local culture, cuisine and see the rich heritage of Rajwadas, you must visit this place and it’s totally worth it. Rajasthan attracts tourists with its slogan ‘Padharo mhare desh’ to explore its historical forts, palaces, art and culture. Every foreign tourist who plans to visit India makes sure Rajasthan is surely a part of their itinerary to experience the palaces of Jaipur, lakes of Udaipur, and forts of Jodhpur and Jaisalmer. One among such renowned fort in Jaisalmer is the Jaisalmer fort. These are the mainstream attractions and most preferred destinations of most foreign tourists.

Many old and neglected palaces and forts have been converted into heritage hotels. A heritage of old buildings built up years ago by Maharajas of different castes, Rajasthan is a state of rich cultural heritage. One such city in Rajasthan known for its historical pride, heritage, and royal triumph is Jaisalmer. Jaisalmer, also known as the golden city, is located at the far end of the Thar Desert in Rajasthan and is one of the most elegant & magnificent cities of Rajasthan.

Named after Maharaja Jaisal Singh, this gorgeous city is located amid the Thar Desert and its rich culture & tradition is truly inspiring and attracts tourists all around the world. It is famous for its Jain temples, sand dunes and the sprawling Jaisalmer Fort that dominates the city landscape. On the top of the Trikuta Hill is the expansive Fort of Jaisalmer giving even more reasons to make this city a part of your itinerary in your next trip to Rajasthan. Read on to know more about this majestic fort also referred to as the Sonar Quila.

Must read: Desert Safari in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan – Explore the Incredible Sand Dunes

About Jaisalmer Fort

Best Time To Visit: The best time to visit Jaisalmer Fort is from November to March. Jaisalmer tourism is at its peak and pulls maximum tourists at this time due to the comfortable weather and the happening Desert Festival in January – February.
Timings: The Jaisalmer Fort is open daily from 6 am to 5 pm.
Tariff: To enter inside the Fort of Jaisalmer, there are no admission charges. However, you might need to pay entrance charges for private museums and palaces if you wish to enter the area. It costs INR 50 for Indians and INR 250 for foreign travellers.

History of Jaisalmer Fort

An important hub of the Rajput Bhati rule was the Jaisalmer Fort. Raised by the Rajput ruler Raja Jaisal in the year 1156, this yellow sandstone regal structure, is also more popularly known as the Golden Fort or Sonar Quila. The Fort of Jaisalmer was the centre of a number of historical encounters between the Bhattis, the Mughals of Delhi, and the Rathores of Jodhpur. The history of Jaisalmer Fort also talks of multiple attacks on the fort by the Muslim kings like Ala-Uddin-Khilji and Mughal Monarch Humayun.

Present scenario of Jaisalmer Fort

The Sonar Quila is one of the prime places to visit in Jaisalmer in today’s time. Jaisalmer Fort is a UNESCO-listed world heritage site and comprises narrow crisscrossing lanes, temples, residents, handicraft shops, and restaurants. The fort has multiple entrance gates that consequently open to the Dashera Chowk, the most popular public square of the fort. A resident population of about 4,000 people are present, largely from the Brahmin and Daroga communities. They were mostly the followers of the working population of the Bhatti kings of Jaisalmer, who were allowed to live within the premises.

Architecture of Jaisalmer Fort

The architecture of Jaisalmer Fort is awe-inspiring and marvellous. It ranks among the glorious forts in Rajasthan due to its perfect blend of Rajput and Islamic styles, the golden tinge due to the yellow sandstone, and the enthralling carvings & sculptures.

Things to see inside Jaisalmer Fort

The Jaisalmer fort offers splendid views of the Golden City. As most of the houses & buildings are made of yellow sandstone, this monochromatic effect creates magic and charisma. Other than the architecture, you can also experience some of the most interesting things in Jaisalmer Fort like Maharawal in Chauhata Square, Raj Mahal, Jain Temple, Laxmikanth Temple, and Jawahar Palace.

You can also experience the museum showcasing arms, dresses, utensils, & ornaments of the Rajput kingdom which are absolutely fascinating. You should also experience the spectacular carvings and the beautiful design of Ganesh Pol, Rang Pol, Bhoota Pol, and Hava Pol, the four entrance gates of the fort. The narrow bustling lanes lined with classic houses, balconies, and ornate windows are outstanding as well.

Jaisalmer Fort, India — Image Credits: Google Images

Things to do in Jaisalmer Fort

Explore the amazing cafes and try some local cuisine, visit numerous shops and check out silver jewellery, coloured puppets, souvenirs, and handicrafts. Utensils made of yellow sandstones are truly appealing and you should definitely stop by and purchase one. To know the historical tales of the fort, take a professional guide to explore the fort. During sunset, watch the fort and capture a postcard perfect view for an enchanting memory.

How to reach the Fort of Jaisalmer

To reach Jaisalmer Fort, railways is an easy, convenient and affordable mode of transport as the Jaisalmer railway station is 2 kilometres from the city. The Palace on Wheels is one of the luxury trains in India that can take you to Jaisalmer. Other than this, there are few trains from Delhi, Jaipur, and Jodhpur. Jaisalmer airport is 5 kilometres from the city and is well connected with Delhi, Jaipur, and Jodhpur. Inter-state buses also ply from Jaipur to Jaisalmer on a regular basis.

Does the majestic Jaisalmer fort entice you to plan your vacation to this golden city already? Book your Jaisalmer family vacation, romantic vacation or a trip with friends to this stunning city and go on a full blown exploration of the city. Check out some of the best International tour packages offered by Pickyourtrail and book your dream vacation for an travel experience like never before!