Inside the Jaisalmer फोर्ट
The 250 feet tall mega structure of the Jaisalmer Fort has 30 feet high crenallated walls to boost its protective coverage. There are 99 bastions too that enhance the defensive mechanism of the fort. 92 of these bastions were built between the period of 1633-47. Within the fortified city are enclosed numerous palace complexes, temples and havelis that leave a lasting impression on the vistors.
There are four massive gateways that lead to the gate including Akshaya Pole, Suraj Pole, Hawa Pole and Ganesh Pole. The Suraj and the Ganesh Pole have an image of Sun and Lord Ganesh respectively at the top. The Dussehra Chowk is reached after passing below the last gate, Hawa pole. Here, a beautiful palace Raj Mahal stands as if greeting the visitors. This palace was once the residence of the royal family but today it has been converted into a museum and heritage centre.
The seven Jain Temples hold a commanding presence in the Jaisalmer Fort and are dedicated to the revered Jain Tirthankaras like Sambhavanath, Rikhabdev, Chandrprabhu and Parasnath. The temples are interconnected by a series of courtyards and walkways. They have walls, pillars, columns adorned with fine sculptures in sandstone and marble. Some of the worth noticing images in these temples include a dancing image of a woman balancing sets of balls on her raised forearms and dancing figures of musician welcoming God.
Jaisalmer was inhabited by wealthy merchants who were mighty impressed by the royal lifestyle of the Rajput kings. In order to bring themselves at par with this luxurious lifestyle, the merchants built mammoth havelis with a touch of royal elegance. There are many havelis within the fort area that have presently been converted into shops, with the exception of one that serves as a museum.
The wells of the Jaisalmer Fort that were once used to draw out water for the use by people are still functional and attracts a whole lot of people.
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