Here’s a complete guuide to Patwon Ki Haveli. India is rightly called Incredible, due to its rich diversity and cultural variations. From hill stations to beaches, India is the perfect example of both natural and human-made pieces of beauty.
Nothing attracts more than the rough and sizzling golden desert of Thar. Every year millions of tourists visit the Great Indian Desert just to have a taste of the culturally rich state of Rajasthan.
Jaisalmer, one of the most popular cities in India, is known all over the world for its unique architecture. With its signature style being the marvellous yellow sandstones, Jaisalmer is truly rich in its culture and mesmerizes everyone with its unique beauty.
History and Architecture of Patwon Ki Haveli
Patwon Ki Haveli was the first Haveli to be built in Jaisalmer and is located on the Patwa valley, just 1.8 km away from the Jaisalmer Railway Station.
Legends say that the palace was ordered to be constructed by a wealthy brocade merchant, Patwa, who wanted distinct individual Havelis built as a complex for his five sons. It took 50 years for the completion of the project, and the Patwon Ki Haveli comprises of 5 different Havelis.
The monument is famous for its rich intrinsic stone carvings and mirror works on the walls. There are about 60 or more small balconies in the Haveli, which attracts travellers.
One of the most interesting fact about the architecture of the Haveli is the latticework, which creates a web-like illumination on the walls when sun rays fall upon them.
One of the Havelis today is used to entertain guests and tourists, two of the Havelis are taken up as an office for the Archaeological Society of India. There is also a museum present in the haveli that houses numerous antique items from the medieval times. There is also a gift shop, from where you can buy antiques as souvenirs.
You may also like 26 Popular Tourist Places in The Beautiful City of Jaisalmer
Patwon Ki Haveli Entry Fee
Every year numerous travellers come to witness this piece of marvellous architecture, and the entry fee has been kept at a minimum. Indian tourists have to pay Rs 20* and foreigners have to pay Rs 100* as an entry fee to Patwon Ki Haveli.
*Entry fee at the time of writing this article.
Also read 8 Famous places for shopping in Jaisalmer
Patwon Ki Haveli Timings
Patwon Ki Haveli is open for tourists from 8:30 a.m. in the morning to 6:30 p.m. in the evening. You can visit during this time to experience this historical monument.
Places to Visit near Patwon Ki Haveli
Jaisalmer Fort
Built in the 1400 CE; the Jaisalmer Fort is one of the major attractions of Jaisalmer. Owing to its popularity to the shimmering lion colour sandstone that resembles gold when sun rays fall upon them, a lot of tourists visit this fort to witness its beauty.
Did you know? The Jaisalmer Fort is one of the very few “living forts” of the world.
Also read Jaisalmer Fort – A Complete Guide (Timings, Entry Fee, History)
The fort houses numerous Jain temples, carvings, Vishnu temple and beautiful sculptures, and more than 600 idols, all made from yellow sandstone. The fort is of rich historical importance and a beautiful place to explore.
The fort is about 1500 feet tall and 750 feet wide with a wall surrounding it of 15 feet in height. The fort houses nearly one-fourth of the city’s population.
Bada Bagh
Bada Bagh was preliminary build after Jai Singh II ordered the construction of a dam in Jaisalmer and after which the area nearby became green. After his death, his son Lunkaran built a garden on it and a cenotaph dedicated to his father.
Later on, many cenotaphs were constructed in the place, and today there are numerous cenotaphs dedicated to different kings, queens, and princes here.
Bada Bagh is a beautiful piece of scenic beauty that is bound to mesmerize you. Do not miss the opportunity to explore this place if you are in Jaisalmer.
A must read Bada Bagh Timings, Entry Fee, Nearby Attractions and more
Gadisar Lake
Owing to its beauty to the signature style of Jaisalmer, the yellow sandstone, the Gadisar Lake was a man-made lake built to quench the thirst of the city of Jaisalmer during the reign of the founder of Jaisalmer, Raja Rawal Jaisal.
The lake contains small islands that have cenotaphs built on them and are now home to numerous aquatic birds. Apart from this, the lake is bordered with many watchtowers and structures that offer a wonderful view of the lake. You can boat on this lake and enjoy the picturesque view of the sunset.
Related read Gadisar Lake Timings, Entry Fee, Boating and more
Mandir Palace
This heritage site was traditionally the residence of kings for more than 200 years but now is converted into a luxurious hotel. You can enjoy the royal building along with the modern amenities provided by the hotel. The most interesting thing about this palace is that different parts of the building were constructed by different rulers.
The palace is an example of wonderful Rajput architecture and has numerous carvings, towers, and temples. With its exquisite carvings and brilliantly carved sculptures and balconies, it is a must-visit on your trip to Jaisalmer.
How to Reach Patwon Ki Haveli
Patwon Ki Haveli is a popular tourist destination and is thus easily accessible through all means of transport.
By Air
Jaisalmer Airport is located 17 kilometres southeast of Jaisalmer in Rajasthan, India. The airport operates as a civil enclave on an Indian Air Force base. You can book a private cab from the airport and reach Patwon Ki Haveli.
By Rail
The Haveli is located within 2 km from the Jaisalmer Railway Station, and after reaching the station, you can take a rickshaw or taxi, as per your convenience and reach here.
By Road
There are multiple buses making tours of the city from the neighbouring cities of Jaipur, Jodhpur, Mount Abu and you can reach Jaisalmer by any of these deluxe or local buses. You can get a rickshaw or cab from the terminal.
Time Required to Explore Patwon Ki Haveli
Approximately one to two hours are enough to explore Patwon Ki Haveli, but it solely depends on how much interested you are in learning the history of the palace. Depending upon that, it might increase or decrease by an hour.
Recommended read 9 Popular Places To Visit in Jaisalmer at Night
Located at a walking distance from the Jaisalmer Fort, the Patwon Ki Haveli offers an experience that you will cherish forever. The history it holds and the detailed pieces of the mirror work and carvings will mesmerize your senses. With numerous balconies offering the view of the city, the Haveli is bound to bewitch you.