Here is infomration on things to do in Jaisalmer
The havells: The art of the silavats (stone carvers) of Jaisalmer is justly famous. It attained its peak of excellence during the 18th and 19th centuries, rivalling the quality of the carved marble of the Taj Mahal at Agra. The honey tones of the yellow sandstone lend a softer glow to the elaborate facades of the desert &wells and are easier on the eye then the dazzle of the reflecting white marble.
Patwon-ki-haveli (House of the Brocade Merchants) is the largest and most elaborate of the famous havelis of Jaisalmer. It stands in a cul-de-sac with an imposing gate spanning the entrance to the lane, protecting this prestigious private residence from prying eyes. Patwas are merchants trading in rich brocades, gold and silver embroidery, sequins and ribbons. This family expanded their business to include opium, banking and revenue-collecting. In the late 18th-century, Guinan Chand Patwa had a chain of 300 trading centres extending from Afghanistan to China. His five sons began building this mansion in 1800, which consists of five separate suites, linked together. It took 50 years to complete. Fora while, fearing it would be requisitioned; the family turned it into a Sanskrit school for boys. Fortunately it has been rescued from that fate and is now a protected monu-ment, as is the entire citadel. Also Visit – Jaisalmer tours
Nathmalji-ki-haveli (The Mansion of Nathmalji), the last of the great havelis was built in the late 19th century. Nathmalji was the Prime Minister of the state at that time, and his family still lives in the haveli. Its facade was carved by two brothers, master-craftsmen of such consummate talent that, in a land of anonymous artists, their names are still remembered: Hathu and Lallu.
Salim Singh's haveli: Salim Singh Mohta was a notoriously tyrannical prime Minister of Jaisalmer in the the 18thcentury. His mansion is distinguished by two woman features: the upper story, in cantilever style, supported by carved peacock brackets, and the unique saxe-blue cupolas that adorn its roof.
Bade Mahal and Tada Tower: Beyond the entrance gate to Tricuta stands the. Present home of the former rulers of Jaisalmer, Badal Mahal (Cloud Palace). from which rises the delicate, pagoda-like Tazia lower, its chief claim to architectural fame. Tazias are the fragile, split-bamboo and elaborately decorated paper and tinsel models of Taj-like mausoleums made and paraded by Shia Muslimsduring the period of Muharram, to commemorate the martyrdom of Hassan and Hussain, the Prophet's grandsons. The silavats of Jaisalmer, being Shia Muslims, decided to migrate to Pakistan when it was established in 1947. Before leaving their desert home. they expressed their love for their homeland and their ruler by building this tower in the shape of a tazia and presenting it to the ruler.
Jain Temples (12M-151h century): An extensive group of Jain temples stands within the fort complex. They were built from donations by the wealthy Marwari merchants. The finest are considered to be the Rishabdevji, the Sambhavnath, and the Ashtapadi Mandir.
Entrance to the Rishabdevji Temple is through an intricately carved loran (scrolled archway) where shoes, cameras and all leather articles must be left. A porch whose pillars are carved with creepers and flowers, all in yellow stone, leads to the main mwzdap (hall) with columns sporting graceful apsaras (heavenly nymphs), kinaras and gand-harms (celestial dancers and musicians) facing the central image of Rishabdevji. But one's eye is caught by an arresting group of images of Jain tirthankaras (saints), sitting in meditation in a circle. To the right of the hall. Made of white marble or red or black stone, all have jewelled third eyes that sparkle. These silent, meditating stylised figures are, in their quiet way, deeply impressive.
Sambhavnath Temple leads off from the left of Rishabdevji. It is a subsidiary shrine, smaller and simpler in design. A basement is reputed to house a library of fabulous sacred manuscripts. It is rumoured that an underground tunnel led from here all the way to Lodurva, the former capital, from where these treasures were secretly conveyed when the migration to Jaisalmer took place.
Ashtapadi Mandi can be entered by a cloistered passage linking it with Sambhavji Temple. It has beautiful images of Hindu deities on the outer pillars and walls of the mandap. This mergin of religions is an indication of the remarkable religious tolerance of the age, and is a distinguishing feature of Jain sacred architecture. Since they were granted freedom of worship under Hindu rulers, they reciprocated by incorporating Hindu deities on their temple walls. The donors of the mandir, seated on elephants, guard its entrance.
A short walk beyond Tazia tower is Gadi Sagar (or Gadisar), an artificial lakethat was an important source of water in the past. A natural decline was enlarged to catch every drop of rain and, in a season of drought, Gadisar was the mainstay of Jaisalmer.
Many years ago, Telia, a well known courtesan and singer from a neighboring area, became the lover of a Bhatti prince. In a gesture to him, Telia donated the handsome gateway and ghats (steps) that lead down to Gadisar. The princesses of the royal house were outraged by her effrontery and refused to use the gate. They even threatened to pull it down. So the wily Telia installed an image of Lord SatyaNarain (Krishna) in the upper chamber and had it consecrated as a temple.
Today, most of the homes of Jaisalmer have the amenity of piped water, but Gadisar remains a useful and pleasurable reminder of the past, and of the generosity of a clever woman.
For more information on things to do in Jaisalmar Rajasthan and Rajasthan holiday packages from Delhi contact Swan Tours one of the leading Tour and Travels agents in India offers Rajasthan holiday tour packages at economical price.