The Golden Fort of Jaisalmer is a living fort, in that a large population of the city dwells within the fort’s boundary walls.
Previously, the royal family too lived there, but later they moved to a separate mansion in the city away and outside the fort.
The old palace is now open to tourists.
Here’s a stone model of the fort kept inside the palace. The fort has 99 bastions, 33 each on the 3 sides of the tiny hillock on which it is situated.
The narrow slits along the edges are the lanes and roads on the fort.
Here’s the small entrance to the palace.
The palm impressions on both sides of the narrow door are those of the queens and princes who ended their lives by jumping into a pit of fire to evade molestation by the invading Turks.
This phenomenon is called Saka which has happened twice in the history of Jaisalmer.
The women of the royal family and also those of the soldiers and residents preferred self-burning since the invading Turks were necrophiles.
The central open yard is surrounded by beautiful galleries lined with stone nets called ‘Jali’ and cusped arches.
The doors and windows were laced with color glass to create special lighting effects in the halls and bedrooms of the palace.
The view from the top is satisfying and a delight to the eyes.
Many bastions can be seen from the top of the palace.
Here’s the view on the east side, that shows the houses of Jaisalmer town which are all made of the golden yellowish-brown stone that is found all over the place.
Read why is Jaisalmer Called the Golden City of India?
On the western side is the main entrance of the fort.
The southside views show the bastions and the curved path into the fort.
The southwest view has the Beautiful Hindu temples that were built inside the fort over the centuries.
Panning to the south shows more amazing golden structures including temples and mansions built by the members of the royal family.
Here’s the east side of the palace and the fort that shows more parts of the palace itself.
This sit-out area is called the Char-Bangla meaning four canopies and was built for the ladies of the royal families to soak in the morning sun, for the afternoon tea, for socializing, small talk, and gossip.
Here’s a view from under one of the arches.
These places feel very cool even in a very warm place like Jaisalmer since they are shaded and at a high altitude.
Accessibility
The Palace is not accessible for the differently abled, being a historic place.
Entrance Ticket
The ticket is INR 100 for the Palace though the entry to the fort is free.
Where to Stay
I stayed in the Sagar Guest House inside the Jaisalmer Fort.
This place also has a rooftop restaurant with an amazing view of the city, the palace, and the desert.
Other Attractions in Jaisalmer
Patwa Haveli Museum - A Periscope into the Past Glory
The Golden Fort of Jaisalmer - Sonar Kila
The Locks and Keys Museum in Jaisalmer Rajasthan
The Royal Gadisar Lake in Jaisalmer Rajasthan
The Longewala War Memorial - Museum on the Battlefield
