Visit Longewala War Memorial, marking the spot of a 1971 war, shows the aftermath of the war between Pakistan and India through a range of military items. Tanot Mata Temple The temple is 153 kms away from Jaisalmer. There are taxis plied every hour for taking devotees and visitors of the temple that is a two hour drive from the main city. Also those camping in the Thar Desert can hire a cab and pay a short visit to the legendary site. Present since ages, the Tanot Mata shrine gained nationwide fame after the war between India and Pakistan that was waged in 1965. Militants from the other side of the border were shelling bombs aiming the Tanot village. However, despite the fact that more than 1000 bombs were launched, none of them diffused in the vicinity surrounding the Tanot Mata Temple, thus protecting its civilians and a large team of the Indian soldiers. Kuldhara Abandoned Village Abandoned since the 19th century, this small village of Kuldhara is around 18 kilometers (12.4 miles) southwest of Jaisalmer.This village is dotted with hundreds of dilapidated sand stone houses and dusty roads, and the ruins of this village are said to be cursed and haunted, and consequently have obtained an air of abandonment, while beholding a dark secret, which needs to be discovered. Bada Bagh Equidistant from Jaisalmer and Lodhruva, Bada Bagh, literally meaning big garden, features a series of royal cenotaphs or chhatris of Jaisalmer Maharajas, including that of Jai Singh II (Maharaja Sawai Jai Sing). The first cenotaph in the region was built for Jai Singh II by his son, Lunkaran, in the 16th century. Jai Singh II was known for his contribution to making the city green. And to honor him, his son set up a memorial in the form of cenotaph near the dam and created a big park around it. All the cenotaphs here have a beautifully carved ceiling and elegant equestrian statues of rulers. The location of the garden is such that it offers incredible sunset vistas to tourists. Jaisalmer Fort Golden Fort is situated in the city of Jaisalmer, in the Indian state of Rajasthan. It is believed to be one of the very few "living forts" in the world (such as Carcassonne, France), as nearly one fourth of the old city's population still resides within the fort.[1] For the better part of its 800-year history, the fort was the city of Jaisalmer. The first settlements outside the fort walls, to accommodate the growing population of Jaisalmer, are said to have come up in the 17th century.[1] Jaisalmer Fort is the second oldest fort in Rajasthan, built in 1156 AD by the Rajput[2] Rawal (ruler) Jaisal from whom it derives its name, and stood at the crossroads of important trade routes (including the ancient Silk road).[1] In 2013, at the 37th session of the World Heritage Committee held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Jaisalmer Fort, along with 5 other forts of Rajasthan, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site under the group Hill Forts of Rajasthan. Jain Temples Within the vicinity of The Jaisalmer fort lie 7 Jain temples which are an embodiment of beautiful structural designs. Right from ceilings to tombs to gateways, each and every part of this temple is decorated with mirrors, frescoes, carvings, etc. These temples were built way back in the12th and 15th century, and are dedicated to various Jain Tirthankars (Hermits). On the walls of the temples, you can find animal & human figures, carved in famous Dilwara temple style. The Jain temple has a Gyan Bhandar, a library, which interest many tourists. Kothari's Patwaon-Ki-Haveli Patwa Havelis: are a cluster of five havelis aligned in a narrow lane in the heart of the city. Of the five havelis, the first haveli in the lane aka the Kothari’s Patwa Haveli is not only extraordinarily preserved and restored but is also open to visitors to experience the lifestyle of the erstwhile patwas. Nathmal Ji Ki Haveli It was constructed by Maharawal Berisal in 1885 CE, to serve as the residence of Diwan Mohata Nathmal, the then Prime Minister of Jaisalmer. The chief architects of this haveli were two brothers, named Hathi and Lulu. There is a very interesting story regarding its construction. It is believed that both the brothers started building the facets of the haveli simultaneously. The two sides are similar, but not identical.
