Thursday, January 27, 2011

Golden Fort, Jaisalmer

Golden Fort in Jaisalmer (State: Rajasthan) is the most magnificent site. Built in 1156 by the Bahtti Rajput ruler Jaisala, and reinforced by later rulers, the fort crowns the 80 m - high Trikuta Hill. This is one of the oldest living fort, where one quarter of the old city's population is still residing in it.

The fort has 99 bastions around its circumference and is protected by three walls. The lower wall is of solid stone blocks which reinforce the loose rubble of which Trikuta hill is composed. The second wall snakes around the fort. Above is the view of the fort from one of the havelis located outside the fort at a quite good distance.

The fort is entered from first Fort Gate and a series of massive gates via an enormous stone paved ramp, leads one to a large courtyard. In the courtyard one can see the former Maharaja's seven story Palace, Rajmahal. This square was formerly used to review troops, hear petitions and present extravagant entertainment for important visitors.

Within the fort walls, there are seven beautifully carved Jain
Temples built between the 12th and 15th centuries.

The fort looks especially magical when it is lit up at night.

57 comments:

Sridharan said...

Rajasthan is always majestic. Beautiful ..!

George said...

This is truly a magnificent structure, especially at night. Thanks for telling us about it and for sharing these pictures.

Al said...

That looks truly awesome.

Lisa Petrarca said...

What beautiful pictures and interesting facts!

http://lisapetrarca.blogspot.com

Teamgsquare said...

lovely and huge fort . Just magnificent

SandyCarlson said...

Utterly gorgeous, completely beautiful. Thank you, friend.

Zuzana said...

Wow, this is what I call a fort! It is s majestic and so large, I am not sure I have ever seen anything this size before...
xoxo

Sudhir R said...

Wow! the view of the fort is breathtaking. must probably be one of the best in India. Longing to visit....

YOSEE said...

The Jain Temple carvings are so intricate !...and the Fort is impressive.

eileeninmd said...

Rajesh, wonderful phoots. The last one of the fort at night is beautiful.

Johnny Nutcase said...

interesting info, what a neat place and photos!

Sylvia K said...

Fantastic as always, Rajesh! I do love the last one with the night sky! Hope you have a great weekend!

Sylvia

Pearl Maple said...

Thanks for sharing your photos and journeys with SWF.
Always makes me curious about places and questions like, why 99 bastions.
Seeing the details that go into these buildings makes me admire the builders.

Eaglesbrother said...

Wonderful old Forts there..awesome buildings

clairz said...

As always, the incredible structure and decoration just boggles the mind!

Regina said...

Stunning captures!
Thank you for sharing.
Happy SWF

Unknown said...

Another great tour of a really interesting site. Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

Carver said...

What an interesting fort and I love the night view. It is definitely magical.

Diane AZ said...

Fascinating tour, the architecture and carvings look magnificent!

Steffi said...

Very good and interesting post!I learn from week to week more about your country India!Have a nice weekend!

Kay L. Davies said...

What an amazing place, Rajesh. It looks particularly spectacular at night.
-- K

Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel

Laura said...

such intricate beautiful architecture!

Anya said...

Its such a big fort :-)
It looks amazing ...

:))

Photo Cache said...

you could spend a whole lifetime enjoying the historical structures in india and that may not be enough.

Mark Kreider said...

Excellent photos as always! I do wish that your watermark was placed less centrally... I find it quite distracting. I've just added watermarks to my photos too and now I'll rethink that. The centuries of civilization in India never fails to floor me to my core.

Karen said...

Oh, I really like the last one, it's quite stunning to see the fort against the night sky.

Maude Lynn said...

Amazing pictures!

Trotter said...

Wow! This one I'll see one day on the spot... ;)

Waiting for you at Abu Simbel...

eden said...

Magnificent! Great shots.
Have a great weekend.

Gabriela Abalo said...

Nice shots!!

cheers from Uruguay :)

http://gabrielaabalo.blogspot.com/2011/01/skywatch-friday-season-4-episode-29.html

Kim, USA said...

Wow what an amazing Fort, so lovely!!
Sky Watch

Hildred said...

Such amazing structures. Beautiful civilization.

Rakesh Vanamali said...

Wonderful! The night picture looks awesome! I'm assuming the name is hence!

magiceye said...

amazing structures!

SandyCarlson said...

Utterly incredible!

GVK said...

Photo 4 - s lit up fort - could as well be a volcanic crater.

Modern Mom said...

Great views!

My SWF.

Liz said...

Lovely shots!

Oakland Daily Photo said...

Magical doesn't begin to cover it. Stunning, unreal, mythical.

Ebie said...

Aged old structures in its delicate work of art. Gorgeous!

Anonymous said...

Intricate, lovely and oh so golden!

Chubskulit Rose said...

Gorgeous!

My Sky shots, have a great weekend!

alicesg said...

Wow it must take a lot of man hours to carve out those beautiful designs. Have a nice weekend.

Jidhu Jose said...

superb shots

happy SWF

Jeevan said...

This is something extraordinary and unique among forts! I watched a travel program about this fort and it’s incredible to see how people still living in homes made of sand stone and the interiors are not very different from a lower middle classes. Well captured Rajesh! congrats

Vrinda said...

First pic is Wonderful.

genie said...

WOW!! An incredible manmade architectural giant of the world. I wonder how many did not live to see its completion. Your photography is wonderful. I especially like the one with the Buddah looking down from up above. The entry is also a very interesting piece of architecture..

Bram (BraCom) said...

beautiful series, wonderful night photo


Happy SWF! Have a good weekend,
Regards, Bram

My SkyWatch on WordPress

Seen on Sky Watch Friday, Season 4, Episode 28

Mridula said...

Such a majestic structure! Lovely pictures.

Unknown said...

this is a magnificent structure! truly amazing.

Sharodindu said...

really Majestic.

giorno26 ¸¸.•*¨*•. said...

Molto belle, come sempre, le tue foto !!
Buona serata :)
Myriam

Jim said...

Fascinating.

Pietro Brosio said...

Great views, so beautiful the fort at night!

Rajesh said...

Thanks to all for appreciating this beautiful fort.

Arti said...

Awesome captures! Exquisite architecture!

Purba said...

I love how the fort keeps changing colour through out the day.