Page 61 - ELITE PLUS MAGAZINE VOL13

dating from the 15th and 16th centuries, and a Hindu Laxminath temple with a colourfully painted dome. The town also has numerous eateries serving European and Rajasthani cuisine as well as souvenir shops, bookstores and galleries. To cruise into an evening, follow signs to rooftop bars and restaurants atop the fortress’s west wall. They offer hot and cold drinks accompanied by the dramatic descent of the sun into the horizon as the yellowish townscape below becomes swallowed by darkness and sprinkled with lights.Outside the fortress, the town continues its architectural heritage while keeping the typical atmosphere of an Indian town (complete with crazy vehicular traffic). In the Royal Square is the Royal Palace and an exquisitely ornamented temple. A block of houses and buildings shows carved facades resembling honey-coloured lace. Beautiful architecture aside, there is much in town to keep a visitor busy.The modern town also has a few haveli. Most are still partly inhabited. Patwa-ki-Haveli is the biggest and most impressive from the outside, while Nathmal-ki-Haveli was once a prime minister’s residence. The Desert Cultural Centre and Museum explains the history of Rajasthan’s former princely states, exhibits traditional musical instru- ments and textiles, and hosts must-see nightly half-hour puppet shows. For food and shopping, market squares like Gandhi Chowk and Vaishnav Chowk are where to find Rajasthani delicacies such as dal pakwan (crisp thin pizza base topped with yellow dal, onion, chilli and chutney) and kachori (stuffed poori with choice of chutney).Around the double fortified town, excursions to historical sites and the great Thar Desert await. Baga Bagh, 6km north of Jaisalmer, is a complex comprising a garden, dam and cenotaphs of Jaisalmer’s rulers. The dam was constructed by the Rajput king Maharawal Jait Singh. To commemorate the king’s initiatives in irrigation, his son erected a cenotaph at the site, later followed by those of other rulers until royal memorials were considered bad omens. Under the domed roofs are beautifully carved ceilings and high-relief sculptures of kings and queens. The village of Kuldhara, 17km to the west, was deserted by the Paliwal people, who were harassed by a state minister in the early 1800s. It is believed the village, now in ruins, still harbours a curse from the former residents.For desert fun, the 2km-long Sam Sand Dunes are some of the most picturesque in the region and a popular sunset spot. Camels are offered for short rides and there are tent resorts for overnight stays. Another dune is next to the village of Khuri in Desert National Park, where you can spot desert foxes, Indian gazelles, rare birds and more. Then there is the camel safari, the best way to explore TharA Jain temple.Dome of Laxminath Temple.Elite+ 59