Golden Fort Jaisalmer – Photo Essay In and Around the ‘Sonar ka kila’
This is a photo story from inside and around the Golden Fort Jaisalmer.
I love everything about the Golden Fort Jaisalmer – it’s history, architecture, heritage, people, home-shops and restaurants with the ‘bloody good‘ views they promise.
This photo essay of the Golden Fort Jaisalmer is to highlight the non touristy local life in and around the ‘Sonar ka kila‘ as it is fondly called by the Rajasthanis.
Origin of the phrase – Making hay while the sun shines !
Local man outside the Golden Fort in Jaisalmer – Substance Abuse is common among Rajasthani men from the Govt. Approved Bhang to the secret ‘Dodda’ trade.
Vintage Scooter inside Jaisalmer Fort – Can you tell if it’s a Vespa or a Bajaj?
Locals stay inside the Jaisalmer Fort premises and use parts of their houses for commercial activities. The 12 year old boy in the picture above, offers “MASSAGE ON HIS LOVE BED!“
Jaisalmer City Panoramas from one of the cannon viewpoints in Fort Jaisalmer.
Jaisalmer Fort Jain Temple – Interestingly, there is no Jain population in Jaisalmer.
The architecture and intricate carving on a section of the Jain Temple in Jaisalmer.
The cannon at one of the cannon points inside sonar fort Jaisalmer.
Always brings back memories, Remember the famous ad, Hamara Bajaj? Always makes me nostalgic.
A perfect congregation on the streets of Jaisalmer
Tuk Tuk in Jaisalmer – ATITHI DEVO BHAVAH. “Come as Tourist, Go as a Friend.”
Little boy looking out of a window of a hindu temple in Jaisalmer.
Taken at Gadisar Sagar Lake – This picture sums up India, doesn’t it? The old vs the New.
You will get great views from most of the roof top restaurants in the Jaisalmer Fort. Don’t expect too much from food, the Cold Coffee sucks, Just go for the view !
Peepal tree leaves inside Jaisalmer Fort. Budhha is said to have attained nirvana below a peepal tree in Bodhgaya.
On the Inside – Jaisalmer fort of full of tourists in the season but only when you’re game to explore the place its worst time, will it reveal some inside stories !
The stately Cannons inside Jaisalmer Fort.
Mirch, a Rajasthani staple – Chillies of all shapes and sizes are used to make Pakoras, Pickles, added to Dal or just had on the side.
A Jharokha (Windows used in Rajputana and Rajasthani Architecture) overlooking the Gadisar Lake, also called the Gadsisar Lake.
My Couchsurfing friend at Gadisar Lake.
On the other side of Gadisar Lake.
Vintage Collector’s Delight – An antique and silver Jewellery shop at the main market, just outside the Jaisalmer Fort. It sells everything from gems, vintage locks to cameras.
10 comments
Excellent images! loved every frame…
Thankyou Aditya!
Hi Prem!Happy to read from you! I have already tetexd to Jitendra. We did also have a short talk, but very bad connection: Sorry Jitendra, did not understand much unfortunately I have also sent the higher resolution pics from Jaipur to Jitendra by email, I will forward them to you!We arrived in Jaisalmer very well, though a lot of night driving was required. But the clutch worked until the very end! (look at the blog post )Just today we arrived back in Germany. I’m a bit exhausted now. But trying to get back to work StephanBTW: Here is a rough translation of what Prem wrote: Hello Jan and Stephen,How are you.Has the Riksha from Jaipur to Jaiselmer achieved after repair in Jaipur.Do you remember me from Jaipur?We helped you with the repair in Jaipur by my brother.Tell how it turned out.Greetings,Prem
Hi, great shots and nicely summarized.
Couple of things which I would like to add. The lapku (locals acting like pseudo guides chasing cars and harassing tourists) culture is destroying tourism like any thing. Most of the local vendors are against it as well.
Also, the mythical stories of magical healing power of habur limestone is something you force yourself to believe.
No doubts, the best time to explore the city is I’m the off season.
Cheers.
@Mohsin
That might be true, however I did not encounter the lapkus. The thhing with tourism in India is that with the advent of its boom and the money that is bringing in into the small towns, all the locals want a slice of it but are unaware of working towards it in an ethical manner. It’s sad but like other things in India, this is an evil that will take time to sort out.
Again, I travel with locals and with like a local so no one tried to convince me about the healing powers of the limestone. However, they sold little pieces of limestone saying that it can be used to make yogurt. That’s a little hard to believe too but I did try it, and surprisingly it works !
That might be true, however I did not encounter the lapkus. The thhing with tourism in India is that with the advent of its boom and the money that is bringing in into the small towns, all the locals want a slice of it but are unaware of working towards it in an ethical manner. It’s sad but like other things in India, this is an evil that will take time to sort out.
Again, I travel with locals and with like a local so no one tried to convince me about the healing powers of the limestone. However, they sold little pieces of limestone saying that it can be used to make yogurt. That’s a little hard to believe too but I did try it, and surprisingly it works !
Wow.. So it actually worked, nice!
Like your work and good going..
Btw, this is the link to pics I took during the trip to Jaisalmer. Do share your views!
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10153403345459708.1073741839.683909707&type=1&l=6c80b571a9