Jaisalmer is located In Rajasthan’s western region bordering the Thar Desert. In the early morning & early evening sunlight, the honey colored sandstone buildings appear to be made from gold which is why it is known as the Golden City.

This city is on many lists of places you must visit before you die for good reason. It was once a key stop along the southern Silk Route. The city taxed all exporters traveling into the city. For this reason, money was raised providing Jaisalmer with a spectacular fort & amazing intricately carved mansions all made from local sandstone.

Unlike forts we have visited in other parts of Rajasthan & all over the world, Jaisalmer Fort is a “living” fort with 4,000 inhabitants along with their homes, businesses, & temples inside the walls.

The massive sandstone fort dominates the city below. It is easy to imagine what it must have looked like when camel caravans carrying gold, silver, gems, silk, tea, & spices came through the city in the 16th through the 18th Centuries.

Today the fort has many tea houses, old homes converted into hotels & Jain Temples. Many homes have beautifully carved windows & balconies.

The fort has many shops selling various trinkets . Plus, many hawkers simply drape the walls with clothing & textiles to display their wares.

Outside the fort we walked through narrow streets to view beautifully carved homes called Havelis. The word “Haveli” means “Big Winds” because of all the windows & openings in them which provided much needed ventilation & air flow in the hot summers. These luxurious mansions were built by the richest citizens who profited the most from the Silk Road.

In the city we visited Gadhisar Lake. It is a beautiful man-made lake that once provided water for the locals to wash in & drink; but, now it is a recreation spot.

When we were not touring Jaisalmer, we enjoyed our exquisite hotel that was built in the style of a fort.

At sunset, we enjoyed a camel ride in the Thar Desert which is the world’s 10th largest desert.

Back to Jodhpur

After a 5 hour drive, we returned to Jodhpur for one last afternoon.

Our guide took us to the Umaid Bhagwan Palace where the current Jodhpur Maharaja lives with his family. This large structure was started in 1929 & completed in 1943. Along with the traditional Hindustan architecture, it has a small Art Deco design influence which was all the rage back then. It has 346 rooms & was the last major palace constructed in India before its independence in 1947. Today it is still home to the Jodhpur royal family; but, part of it is an exclusive hotel & a museum.

We were extremely lucky to have a wonderful guide in Jodhpur. We learned that he loved the show “Friends”, & we enjoyed sharing favorite moments together from the show. And, today we wished him a “Happy Friendsgiving”.

I learned that he was also a fan of my favorite photographer, Steve McCurry. One of his cousins had been Steve’s guide here in Jodhpur.

On the night that we stopped at the Hindu Temple, he told me he hoped I now had a Steve McCurry shot. 🤞I’ll know once I get home and look closely through my images.

I wish I could have taken the peacock feather healing stick gift home; but, our guide checked with a friend who worked for India Airlines & they said per national law, peacock feathers are not allowed to leave India.

Peacock feathers are considered to bring good luck & health, so I am glad it will remain in India with a loving family & put to good use.