A Lovely evening, Rajasthani style

A lovely evening on the banks of Lake Gadisar (Jaisalmer, India)

Is this real? did you take this picture? A friend asked me curiously. Her point was, the water is unbelievably still.
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I did take the picture and yes, the water was so still. Not just water, life seems to slow down in this golden city, giving an opportunity to soak in that rich nostalgia that we usually see only in movies. The many parables this city stores in each of it’s rock bricks, the gigantic arches that welcomed the fiercest warriors of their times, the power struggles with neighboring kingdoms, the stunning Havelis (traditional mansion), food preparations that trace back to centuries, costumes that perhaps represent all colours of the rainbow, and importantly people.
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You want to experience the fortifications of Ait Benhaddou in Morocco, tiny alleys of Faro in Portugal, Camel rides of Petra in Jordan, cloth works of Muttrah Souk in Oman, desert safaris of Sharjah in UAE, delicacies of Beirut in Lebanon, stargazing from the Flat island in Mauritius, and hospitality of Rajasthan… all at the same time? Jaisalmer is a great choice. It’s a wonderful small city, tucked deep in the Thar desert, and just few kilometers from the India-Pakistan border.
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Most visited attractions are the 12^th century fort on a small hill, numerous havelis with stunningly carved walls, endless lanes of colorful cloth works, very old Jain temple, lot of camel safaris, wonderful Rajasthani music on the streets, and a tranquil Gadisar Lake. I fortunately happened to visit this lake on a full moon day, and hadn’t realised how time flew. A very serene lake, surrounded by ages old iconic constructions, soothing Rajasthani music in the background, laughter from people enjoying the boat rides, reflections on the water against the backdrop of a full moon… etch memories of a lifetime.
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The stay continued with a two night camel safari in the full moon light. It’s an experience that only poets can articulate. You will dine with the locals, listen to their stories, watch the galaxies, make friendships with camels, and see Pakistan at a distance.
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Best season of the year: Spring (Feb-Apr) & Autumn (Sep-Nov)
Best time of the day: Noon can get very hot
Must visits: Jaisalmer Fort, Patwon ki Haveli, Nathmal ki Haveli, Salim Singh ki Haveli, Camel Safari, Overnight stay in Thar desert, Bada Bagh, and Rajasthani Thali
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A random road side bench to relax at the Havelis (Jaisalmer, Rajasthan)