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The loyal architect

The temple was built in the 13th Century King Narasimhadeva I of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty who was a worshipper of the sun god. The project was led by architect Bisu Moharana. It took 12 years to complete the temple using over 1,200 artisans. It is said that Moharana was so committed to the project that he did not even meet his son, who was born during this period, for 12 years. However, Moharana was unable to complete the temple during his time. It was his son who actually completed the temple by constructing its cupola.

A chariot

The Sun Temple is built to represent the chariot of the sun god. The chariot has 12 pairs of wheels drawn by seven horses. These pairs of wheels found at the base of the temple are said to represent the 12 months of the Hindu calendar. Some believe that the 24 wheels represent the 24 hours in a day. When it comes to the horses, they are said to represent the seven days of the week. The temple is also adorned with many intricate engravings.

Wheels of time

The wheels of the chariots are designed as sundials that can be used to calculate the time. Each wheel has eight spokes, representing three hours each. As the sun's rays fall on the wheel, the shadow of the spokes tell you the time. This is how time was predicted in ancient India. It is said that some experts can calculate the time accurately by just looking at the wheel!

The Black Pagoda

While today the Sun Temple is a little away from the shore, it was actually constructed on the shore. Over the years, the water receded. During its heyday, the temple was treated as a landmark for navigational purposes by European sailors. The sailors referred to the temple as the Black Pagoda due to the dark colour of the stone used.

A temple in ruins

The Sun Temple, as we see it today. is mostly in ruins. It is still unclear as to what caused the decline of the temple. When it was constructed, the temple had a main sanctum sanctorum, almost 229 feet tall. This is where the main idol of the sun god was kept. This sanctum fell in the year 1837, and the temple has remained without a sanctum sanctorum or a main idol ever since.

 

Picture Credit : Google

1. A living fort

The Jaisalmer Fort is considered one among the very few living forts in the world. Close to one fourth of Jaisalmer's population lives inside the fort. When the fort was constructed nearly 850 years ago, the city was the part inside the fort walls. Settlements outside the fort were said to have come up around the 17th Century to accommodate the city's expanding population.

2. The Golden Fort

The fort walls are built using yellow sandstone, giving it a lion-like colour in the day, which fades to a honey-gold as the sun sets, camouflaging the fort with the surrounding Thar desert. The fort is aptly called Sonar Quila' or The Golden Fort. As the lights turn on in the night the fort continues to shine like a golden jewel above the city

3. No more an excellent drainage system

The Jaisalmer fort boasted an excellent drainage system in its initial years. The system, called ghut nali, allowed for easy drainage of rainwater away from the fort in all four directions. However, over the years, badly-planned construction activities and building of new roads have reduced the effectiveness of the drainage system. Today, most of the fort has a problem of water seepage.

4. Intricate havelis

Inside the fort one can find palaces, Jain and Hindu temples as well as havelis. Built by wealthy merchants, most of the havelis are constructed using ornate sandstone and are occupied even today. Many of these havelis have several floors and countless rooms with beautifully decorated archways, windows, doors and museums. Patwon ki haveli is the most famous of the lot as it was one of the first havelis to be built in Jaisalmer. Commissioned in the year 1805 by Guman Chand Patwa, this is a cluster of five havelis and is one of the largest in the city.

5. Stay inside Heritage Site

Since it is still occupied by people, the Jaisalmer Fort gives you the opportunity to stay inside a World Heritage Site, one of the very few sites to offer such a chance. There are several hotels as well as guest houses inside the fort where one can find accommodation.

 

Picture Credit : Google