DAY 3 (4/4): FORT PALACE, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, India, 2018.11.26

While surveying the area near Trikuta Hill, outcast prince of the Bhati kingdom Rawal Jaisal met a sage named Eesul, who mentioned a prophesy of Jaisal’s Yaduvanshi clan would one day establish a kingdom here. Inspired by the encounter, Rawal Jaisal established his kingdom and capital city at the Trikuta Hill and called it Jaisalmer based on his own name. Built by Rawal Jaisal in 1156, the 7-storey Fort Palace was the former royal residence of the rulers. We got an official audio guide for our visit. Though there were a number of rooms under renovations when we were there. Perhaps the time was a little late, not too many tourists were around in the palace. Not as monumental as its counterpart in Jodhpur, the Palace was nonetheless a unique element of Jaisalmer Fort that no tourist coming this far into the Thar Desert should miss.

The sati handprints mark the entrance of Jaisalmer Fort Palace. Sati handprints were made by widows of the king who committed self-immolation when their husband passed away in ancient times.

The ornate balcony was the focus of the first courtyard we entered in the palace complex.

From a window on the upper level, we could have a close look at the exquisite detail of the balcony and palace facade.

The Rajasthani heritage of elaborated carvings can be seen all over the palace.

Some of these amazing stone carvings were gifts to the maharaja. This one is placed in the king’s bedroom as an interior decoration.

Stained glass is commonly used in Rajasthani palaces.

From a roof terrace, we enjoyed a “maharaja”‘s view of the fort’s bastions and the yellow sandstone city of Jaisalmer below Trikuta Hill.

The yellow tone of the city presents the perfect scenery of what a picturesque desert oasis.

Not all rooms were completely restored, but even without the original furniture, the wall tiles and wooden carvings were delights for the eye.

Some original furniture were on display behind protective glass.

The king’s bedroom opens to a beautiful courtyard where musicians and dancers would provide pleasant entertainment.

The king’s entertainment courtyard was intimate in scale and finished in beautiful floor and wall tiles.

Some palace balconies offer magnificent views of the city below.

Towards the end of our tour, we passed by a physical model of Jaisalmer Fort, offering us a good opportunity to have a better understanding of the fort layout and places that we had visited throughout the day.

It was late in the afternoon and there were hardly any tourists left in the fort.

Without audio guide and map handout, touring the Jaisalmer Fort Palace would be like walking in a maze.

Near the end of the walk, we passed by quite a few empty chambers.

The detailed ornaments of the palace offered us a glimpse of the beautiful sandstone carving of Jaisalmer. In the following day, we would continue to explore the ancient city for other amazing works of local stone craftsmen.