And Golden it is, with the whole city carved out of the same golden sandstone. On approach it appears to be a giant golden sand castle rising in the middle of a barren desert. The narrow streets of the fort, still inhabited, with elaborate decorated houses, Jain temples, magnificent gateways and a beautiful palace all carved out of the same golden sandstone. It’s like something out of a dream.
A bustling tourist city on the western edge of the desert, it can be reached through the now famous Palace On Wheels or by road via Bikaner. This was my second visit to this city and it felt as if time had stood still for 3 years. The same shops, the same banners and the same people in those shops. The night road trip via Bikaner is a memorable one with the coolness of desert night keeping you company. A 15 hours drive (including stops) the Delhi – Jaisalmer Road can be divided into the following sections:
- Delhi – Loharu (different routes to do this depending on where you live in Delhi/NCR) 160-170 KM
- Loharu – Fatehpur (100 KM)
- Fatehpur – Bikaner (170 KM)
- Bikaner – Jaisalmer (328 KM)
You can stop for dinner at Bikaner with some excellent options in and around the city. You get the first glimpse of desert right after Bikaner with the sand dunes on both sides of the road. If you have some time in your hands, BIkaner itself is brilliant and rapidly developing city to explore. The touchdown at Jaisalmer the next morning is very refreshing with motels open 24*7. But it’s better to book your own in advance. Breakfast can comprise of kachori-tea-poha if you want it Rajasthani style or the usual roadside paranthas.
With the dozens of temples and fort that Jaisalmer has to promise for sightseeing, its better to start early in the morning. You wouldn’t want to miss the sunset in the dunes now, would you?
Miles and Pixels 