Community of the Day: Jaisalmer, India

Jaisalmer, India

Known as the Golden City, Jaisalmer is a historic desert town in Rajasthan, India, famous for its stunning yellow sandstone architecture and its position as a gateway to the vast Thar Desert.

1. Jaisalmer was founded in 1156 AD by the Bhati Rajput ruler Rawal Jaisal. Legend suggests he chose the Trikuta Hill for his new fort on the advice of a local hermit named Eesaal to ensure the safety of his people.
2. The city is widely known as the Golden City because of the distinctive yellow sandstone used in the construction of its buildings and the massive fort. This stone gives the entire town a warm, golden-yellow glow, especially during sunrise and sunset.
3. Jaisalmer Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is one of the few living forts in the world. Unlike many other historical monuments, it remains a bustling residential area where thousands of people still live and work within its ancient ramparts.
4. The fort features 99 bastions and houses the royal palace, several intricate Jain temples, and the Gyana Bhandar library. This library is a treasure trove of ancient Sanskrit and Prakrit manuscripts that preserve the region's intellectual history.
5. Historically, Jaisalmer served as a vital caravan center on the trade routes connecting India to Persia, Egypt, and Africa. The local rulers grew wealthy by taxing the merchants who passed through the desert with goods like wool, hides, and salt.
6. The Nathmal ki Haveli is a prime example of the city's architectural brilliance, built in the 19th century by two brothers. They worked on opposite sides of the building simultaneously, resulting in a unique, symmetrical masterpiece of stone carving.
7. The Desert Festival, held annually around January or February, is a major cultural event that showcases the vibrant traditions of Rajasthan. Visitors can enjoy folk music, dance performances, camel races, and even camel polo.
8. The surrounding region is part of the Great Indian Thar Desert, characterized by its arid, sandy landscape and extreme temperatures. The area experiences scorching heat in the summer and significant drops in temperature during the winter nights.
9. Kuldhara, a nearby village, is famous for its mysterious history. It was abandoned overnight by its entire population in the 1800s, and to this day, no one knows exactly where the villagers went or why they left so suddenly.
10. The local economy has evolved from ancient trade to include tourism, agriculture, and energy production. Today, the region is also known for its significant wind-energy installations and the discovery of natural gas in the Jaisalmer basin.

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