Lodurva (16 km): Northwest of Jaisalmer, Lodurva is an important center of Jain pilgrimage. It is town of great antiquity. Lodurva was the
capital of Bhati Rajputs before Rawal Jaisal founded Jaisalmer in 1155 AD. Lodurva was flourishing town in 10th and 11th century AD. It was a center
of art and architecture. The exquisite carvings and other remains of ancient monuments provide a glimpse of Lodurva's glorious past.
Desert National Park: the vast tracts of desert sands around Jaisalmer, with their wood fossils, have been designated the Desert National Park.
To the lay person, there may be little about the desert that calls for "protection", leave alone support wildlife, but the desert has a
fragile eco-system that has a unique variety of wildlife species. These include the somewhat ungainly great Indian bustard which, because of these
efforts, has made a comeback in recent decades, though it is still on the endangered lists. Since the sandy desert has only a few grasses and shrubs,
and a low scattering of indigenous trees, the leaf cover is limited.
This environment supports the spiny-tail lizard that lives in underground colonies, desert monitors that look like miniature replicas of dragons,
sandfish that 'swim' under the sand, chameleons, and of course, snakes that include the deadly sawscaled viper and Sind Krait. Other faunal species
here include the desert hare, hedgehog, the predatory Indian wolf, desert fox, and desert gerbil. However, it is with the great Indian bustard that
the Desert National Park is most closely associated, especially since its conservation efforts have borne fruit. A bird that lives in small flocks,
it has strong legs meant for walking and feeds on everything from cereals and berries to grasshoppers, locusts, and even snakes. The Desert National
Park unlike most preserves throughout the world, does not overwhelm with a profusion of either vegetation or wildlife, but its precisely because of
this that its preservation has ensured that a vital link in the eco-system has not been destroyed. Visitors to the park will need patience and
perseverance to establish the sighting of wildlife, and though they may miss the 'glamour' of tiger sightings, a view of the long-legged bustard
cresting a sand-dune is every bit as rewarding.
Wood Fossil Park, Aakal (17 km): Lying on the Barmer Road, this park takes you back to the Jurassic period (when the whole Thar region lay
under the sea) with 180 million year old fossils the geological landmarks for the study of the Thar Desert.
Sam Sand Dunes (42 km): No trip to Jaisalmer is complete without a trip to the most picturesque dunes of Sam. The ripples on the wind-caressed
dunes, that create an enchanting mirage, are surely a delight for a trigger-happy photographer. Various cultural programmes are organized against
the backdrop of these fascinating sand dunes. Exciting camel safaris allow you to get the real feel of the desert on camel back.
Khuri (40 km): This fascinating desert village, located near sand dunes, lies 40 km south-west of Jaisalmer. Its huts, typical of the desert
regions of Rajasthan, are brilliant examples of folk design: at once highly functional (they are designed to withstand 122 degree F temperatures and
84 miles per hour desert winds) as well as being highly esthetic. Made of clay mixed with cow dung, each hut is actually a complex of different
functional spaces around a central courtyard, the whole of which - walls, floor and rooms - seems to be molded out of one single piece of clay. Their
strikingly decorative folk art, ornate papiermache storage systems and mandana floor patterns are not to be missed.
Amar Sagar (5 km): A pleasant garden besides a lake with mango and other fruit trees. Beautifully carved Jain temples added to its splendour.
Bada Bagh (6 km): A fertile oasis on the bank of an artificial lake. Much of the city's fruits and vegetables are grown here. Surrounded by
dense trees are the royal cenotaphs with beautifully carved ceilings and equestrian statues of the former rulers.
Mool Sagar (18 km): The pleasant shady grove is perfect picnic spot during summers. |
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