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The Gadsisar Lake is one of the most popular tourist attractions of Jaisalmer. It is located on the outskirts of the Jaisalmer city. Although most of the people think it to be an oasis in the desert, it is actually a water conservation tank built around 1400 AD by the then Maharaja of Jaisalmer, Maharawal Gadsi Singh. It is indeed difficult to believe that this mammoth structure once met the water supply requirements of the entire city.
This place was chosen, because it had some natural slope, and the ability to retain the rainwater. During winters it is indeed a sight to watch the wide variety of migratory birds flocking this area. As this place is quite close to the world famous Bharatpur Wild Life Sanctuary, quite many birds get attracted to this place as well.
There are a number of temples and shrines around the lake, due to which it has become the pilgrimage spot as well. The beautiful gateway known as Tillon ki Prol (The Gate of Tillon) arching across the road to the lake was built by Tillon, a royal courtesan in the late 19th century. In 1908, a Lord Vishnu's statue was installed on the gate, and it was renamed as Krishna Temple. This was done to save it from demolition by the then Maharaja.
History of Gadsisar Lake
The Gadsisar Lake is a water conservation tank, built by the then ruler of Jaisalmer, Maharawal Gadsi Singh around 1400 AD. The building of this tank itself signifies the far sightedness of the maharaja, regarding water shortage in this desert area, and the importance of harvesting rainwater to meet the water requirements of the city. The architecture and the town planning of Jaisalmer as well as Jaipur signify the vast knowledge of the builders of that period, which awes even the modern day architects. The Gadsisar Lake is the prime example of their far sightedness and engineering acumen.
Special attractions in and around Gadsisar Lake
The Gadsisar Lake of Jaisalmer is not only a treat to watch for its serene beauty, but is still the only source of water supply to the parched and arid township of Jaisalmer. Although water conservation and rain water harvesting are the burning topics of the modern era, it certainly holds us in awe, as to how the people way back in the 12th century could be so far sighted and have the engineering capabilities of designing and constructing it on such a grand scale.
Jaisalmer: This majestic township was built in the year 1156 by the then ruler Rawal Jaisal over the Trikuta Hill as his new capital, after abandoning his fort at Lodurva.
Best Time to Visit Gadsisar Lake
October to March
Location
State: Rajasthan
District: Jaisalmer
Distance of Gadsisar Lake from nearest cities: Jaisalmer located around 40 Kilometers from Gadsisar Lake is the nearest city.
How to reach Gadsisar Lake
Air: The nearest airport is the Jodhpur Airport, which is located, around 290 Kilometers from Gadsisar lake
Rail: Jaisalmer located around 40 Kilometers from Gadsisar Lake is the nearest railhead. Road: The area is well connected by road from Jaisalmer.
Tourism Department
Tourist Reception Center
Jaisalmer
Tel-91-2992-252406, Helpline-1364
E-mail:
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Climatic Conditions
The climate of this area is quite hot. Weather is cool and pleasant in the evenings. In summers temperature can reach up to 50°c.
Clothing
Light cotton clothes in summers and light woolen clothes in winters are recommended.
Tourist attractions near Gadsisar Lake
- Barmer (153 km): Barmer depicts virtually the whole of Rajasthan, with all its warmth, color and tradition. It is famous for its rich crafts, folk dances and music. It once fell on the ancient camel trade route, and is now a hub of pottery, wood carving, carpets, embroidery work, block printing etc.
- Sam Sand Dunes (42 km): A visit to Sam, 42 km from Jaisalmer is a sight indeed. It is here you can witness the winds carving the ever changing patterns on the sand in the form of sand dunes.
- Desert National Park (40 km): Here you can witness the conservation of the fragile desert eco-system in its full pristine beauty. The desert animals, reptiles and the birds share the area with the barest minimum flora in the form of cacti and the other hardy desert plants found here.
- Akal Forest Park (17 km): Visiting this place you go back in time to the Jurassic Period, where you can see the fossilized trees nearly 180 million years old.
- Bada Bagh (6 km): It is a fertile tract in the vast barren desert, with a huge dam created on an artificial lake.
- Amar Sagar Lake (7 km): This lake is sort of an oasis in the vast Rajasthani desert. Here you can also visit the five storeyed Amar Singh Palace to admire the beautiful murals covering the walls.
- Jain Temples: Located within the Jaisalmer Fort, these Dilwara style temples built by Jain Hermits in the 12th century are unique to this region. The walls of the temples are covered by the carved images of animals and people in the Dilwara style.
- Jaisalmer Fort: Built atop the Trikuta Hill, this is the main centre of attraction to the tourists visiting Jaisalmer. The Old Jaisalmer Fort is still inhabited by the locals, and is the home of nearly one fourth of the whole population of Jaisalmer.
- Lodurva(10 km): This is the old capital of Bhatti Rajputs. Here you can admire the beautiful carvings of the restored Jain Temples
- Nathmalji Ki Haveli: Here you can enjoy playing an old game of "Spot the Difference", comparing the two almost identical wings of the majestic house, carved out separately by the two brothers.
- Patwon Ki Haveli: This is a cluster of five inter-connected ornate houses built between 1800 and 1860. You can also purchase some regional handicrafts of Jaisalmer from Basant Art Emporioum, located within the haveli itself.
This article was contributed by Abhay Tandon
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