Sunday, May 13, 2012

Gadi Sagar Lake, Jaisalmer, Rajashtan, India [EN]

 


Gadi Sagar or Gadisar lake is more of a place to chill after your visit to the Jaisalmer Fort. It is the city's rain water reservoir and surrounded by floating temples which provides a stunning scenery to the lake. You can get to Gadi Sagar lake by taking a rickshaw from outside the fort. Or try to walk from there! It's a downhill walk for just 10 to 15 minutes.You might catch interesting objects and meet local people on your journey. Don't forget to have a chai, man.

Catching an old man by the window
Catching a beautiful lady as she enters her house
Catching children playing
I've no idea what this is
After you reach the front gate, there still a bit of walking toward the lake through a pathway. At the end of the pathway you will be greeted by a gate that's called Tilon-Ki-Pol or the Prostitute Gate. The legend has it that the gate was built by Tilon, a King's concubine, while the King was away. When he returned, he wants it to be torn down, but then Tilon stopped him by installing a small Krishna temple on the top.

More walking to the lake
Prostitute's Gate or Tilon-Ki-Pool
The best time to be here is in the afternoon for a laid back and cozy atmosphere. It might be crowded with noisy school children on their boat ride across the lake, but you can loose them by walking far back on the left side of the entrance and onto the Ghat stairs. Sit there and just enjoy the view.

The boat ride facility is a big turn off, by the way. You couldn't get a clean and decent shot of the lake because of it.


There are lots of big catfish on the water. You could feed the whole bunch of them by spreading breadcrumbs and watch the water rumbles as hundreds of them racing to catch foods.
Locals feeding the catfish
There are many means of transportation waiting for you to get back to the hotel just outside the lake. But if you have time, do visit the Jaisalmer Folklore Museum (close at about 5 p.m and it's on the right of the lake's gate) and watch puppet shows in the evening (Daily at 6 p.m. & 9 p.m.) at Desert Folklore Museum on the road opposite to the lane towards Gadi Sagar Lake.

Camel Rickshaws
Fees
Entrance: Free
Boat: Around Rs.100 per hour
Autorickshaw/Tuktuk from Jaisalmer Fort: Around Rs.40

Links
Review: http://www.igougo.com/review-r1329430-Gadi_Sagar_Tank.html
History: http://www.travel-in-rajasthan.com/Jaisalmer/gadsisar-lake-jaisalmer.html

Map

Saturday, May 12, 2012