Kristian Bertel | Photography
Archive story
In this archive story we are traveling to Jaisalmer in Rajasthan, India.
Read the background story of this archive photo by the photographer.
The dramatic and romantic desert fortress of Jaisalmer is an exotic city in Rajasthan's great Thar Desert. The 'Golden City' rose to prominence as a result of its position on camel trade routes. It is now most famous for the 12th-century fort and ornate 'Havelis', which are fine merchant-built houses and pavilions in the city's medieval lanes. The surrounding Desert National Park offers opportunities to observe blackbucks, desert foxes and chinkaras amid the rolling dunes, rugged crags and waterholes.
The dramatic and romantic desert fortress of Jaisalmer is an exotic city in Rajasthan's great Thar Desert. The 'Golden City' rose to prominence as a result of its position on camel trade routes. It is now most famous for the 12th-century fort and ornate 'Havelis', which are fine merchant-built houses and pavilions in the city's medieval lanes. The surrounding Desert National Park offers opportunities to observe blackbucks, desert foxes and chinkaras amid the rolling dunes, rugged crags and waterholes.
Kristian Bertel, Photographer By Kristian Bertel, Photographer
– Updated on March 21, 2024

The golden city of Jaisalmer

The stark, compelling beauty of the Thar Desert draws travelers to far-western Rajasthan for good reason. Jaisalmer is a picture-perfect medieval city resplendent with golden homes and 'Havelis' and a towering citadel, which is an intriguing town in its own right and is an excellent base for camel safaris into the desert and for day-trips to the photogenic Sam Sand Dunes and Desert National Park.




What type of climate is in Jaisalmer?

Jaisalmer climate is arid and dominated by the desert type. The summers are warm and sultry while the winters are cold and dry. The region experiences almost negligible rainfall per year. The winter season continues for a shorter duration of time than the summer season.


Jaisalmer, India
It is easily one of India's most unforgettable destinations and well worth the journey to this farthest corner of the state. Unlike Jaipur and Jodhpur, with populations in the millions, Jaisalmer is very much a tourist town, with a population of about 80,000. In fact, a significant portion of the population is only there in the tourist season, 4 months out of the year. The rest of the time they go off to find work in larger towns in Rajasthan. Thus you can expect to see that the inhabitants are very intent on selling you things. As anywhere in India, try to stay calm and not get irritated, as getting angry never helps the situation. Keep in mind that they can also be extremely friendly, chatty and genuinely helpful, so be positive when in the city and have a good time.

Like a living fairy tale from medieval time
Visiting the Jaisalmer Fort the photographer entered through three massive gates in the majestic walls. Up, up, up till you reach the majestic palace and all the old temples. This is the first time he visited a fort which is described as a living fort with families. This means there are houses inside the fort and people actually live there. Once you are inside the fort, it is easy to think you are inside a small town rather than an old fort. The fort is like a separate town altogether. You have shops, houses, restaurants acyually almost everything. Unfortunately this somewhat takes away the charm of an ancient fort like for instance the Mehrangarh Fort located in Jodhpur, a fort the photographer also visited.

The Jaisalmer Fort can get noisy and crowded inside the fort and you have have to watch your step lest you step on cowdung or some construction materials. The architecture of the Jain temple inside the fort is superb and so are the Kings and Queens palaces. Having a guide with you will help and you will learn what the various places are for and you will learn the history of the canons and how the soldiers defended the fort against attacks. It is possible to spend hours walking around the various lanes inside the fort and it is said that some of the people living belong to the same families that lived so many years ago and if the fort is kept a little cleaner and well maintained, it will definitely be a priceless jewel in the crown of Jaisalmer.




"As a photographer you do not need a map. It is wonderful to just stroll around in the old arcades, looking at the old houses clustered together. Taking in the livelyhood of the locals living here like they have always done"




One of the largest fortifications
The light is amazing for pictures around sunset when the sandstones glows in their warm colors. Jaisalmer Fort is also known as the Golden Fort and is one of the largest fortifications in the world and absolutely breathtakingly beautiful. It was built in 1156 AD by the Rajput ruler Rawal Jaisal, from whom it derives its name. Rawal Jaisal's son was Shalivahan II and Manj and Bhati Rajputs are descended from him. Today, it is a world heritage site and the fort stands amidst the sandy expanse of the great Thar Desert, on Trikuta Hill and has been the scene of many battles. Its massive yellow sandstone walls are alight tan color during the day and as the Sun sets it turn into a honey-gold.




See this video about Jaisalmer in India made by Distance between.




"- But being a travel photographer in India was not just about capturing pretty pictures. It was also about delving into the heart of the culture and understanding the stories behind the scenes. I had the privilege of documenting traditional festivals, religious ceremonies and everyday life in villages and cities. Each experience was a lesson in itself, teaching me about the resilient spirits and strong traditions of the Indian people and one of the most memorable experiences for me was photographing the famous 'Diwali festival' in Rajasthan. The explosion of colors, music and dancing created a sensory overload unlike anything I had ever experienced before. I was able to capture images of people expressing joy and unity despite socioeconomic and cultural differences", the Photographer says.

"- But my journey in India was not just limited to the popular tourist spots. I also ventured off the beaten path, exploring rural areas and lesser-known destinations. These trips were often unplanned and spontaneous, leading me to hidden gems and unique experiences. It was during these moments that I truly fell in love with the diverse and vibrant culture of India. Of course, being a travel photographer in India also came with its fair share of challenges. The intense heat, language barriers and cultural differences were all obstacles that I had to overcome. But the warmth and kindness of the people and the sheer beauty of the country overshadowed any difficulties I faced"
, the Photographer says again.

Read also:  Sarees of Rajasthan, India



Sarees of Rajasthan, India


Read also:  Sarees of Rajasthan, India

More archive stories

India is a land full of stories. On every street, on every corner and in the many places in India, life is rushing by you as a photographer with millions of stories to be told. In the archive story above, you hopefully had a readable insight in the story that was behind the photo of Jaisalmer. On this website of Kristian Bertel | Photography you can find numerous travel pictures from the photographer. Stories and moments that tell the travel stories of how the photographer captured the specific scene that you see in the picture. The photographer's images have a story behind them, images that all are taken from around India throughout his photo journeys. The archive stories delve into Kristian's personal archive to reveal never-before-seen, including portraits and landscapes beautifully produced snapshots from various travel assignments. The archive is so-far organized into photo stories, this one included, each brought to life by narrative text and full-color photos. Together, these fascinating stories tell a story about the life in India. India, the motherland to many people around the world, a land of unforgetable travel moments. The archive takes viewers on a spectacular visual journey through some of the most stunning photographs to be found in the photographer's archive collection. The photographer culled the images to reflect the many variations on the universal theme of beauty and everyday life in India. By adding these back stories the photographer's work might immensely enhanced the understanding of the photographs.

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