No one can say that Jaisalmer is located in a place too accessible. A few kilometers from the border with Pakistan in the desert, the traveler who wants to contemplate deviate from any of the traditional tourist routes that often cross the country and focus on Agra.

The history of Jaisalmer is the same as the strengths of many cities that dot the deserts of central Asia or the Sahara. Its strategic position on trade routes gave him great wealth. This made the merchants and citizens reared by magnificent houses and mansions, all beautifully made of wood and gold-colored limestone. Jaisalmer faded when the routes through the desert were replaced by the sea, making it unnecessary to pass through the city. This and the lack of water seemed to mark the end, fearing he would be depopulated.

Later tourism began to discover the wonders of this city and now is definitely contributing to its revival, to the point that in recent years the number of hotels or cafes has grown dramatically.

Undoubtedly, the most attractive of the city is its strong habitation. This fort is built with the same golden color of the sand, offering at certain times, especially when the evening, an aspect of oriental tale. Built in 1156 as a defense against the peoples who inhabited the desert, the inhabitants of Jaisalmer presume that is the only inhabited world strong. Whether true or not, the fact is that inside lives a quarter of the population of the old and full of life throughout the day.

The best way to enjoy it is to walk with all the tranquility you can, no hurry. Every street hides a different, surprising wealth with which they adorned the other hand, modest homes. In the most central areas are not allowed to use cars or motorbikes and goods are carried by camels. These, along with cows, form part of the landscape but in truth, the cleaning system is more efficient than in other Indian cities.

Inside the fort you can visit three Jain temples, a religion with many adherents in the area. They are temples that are still used, so that should enter them with due respect. Similarly, the five interconnected palaces found in the fort, are an essential show for the traveler. Four different gates give access to these palaces and inside we see the life that must lead the rulers of the city until recently.

Some Weird photos also give us an idea of what must be the British presence. They are all alike: a group of Indians, with the Maharaja between them and, in the middle, sitting on a chair with an aspect of English classic movie, the British consul which was obviously the one who made the final decisions.

The great mansions of wealthy merchants built in the golden city are known as “havelis”. There are three in particular that should be visited for its beauty. These limestone buildings are preserved in all its splendor and gives us a good sampling of the wealth they reached the town at the time of the caravans.

Around the city there are several attractions for visitors. To reach them it is best to take a taxi, with which we can move around without problems. One of the most beautiful and relaxing is Lake Gadsisar. A few kilometers from Jaisalmer, was their water supply and around it built many temples and shrines. This lake has a curious history: it is said that the entrance to a beautiful ornate door, was built by a famous and wealthy prostitute. However, when he went to pay, the Maharaja ordered that were not done, because it seemed inappropriate to have to go under the porch paid by the court every time I wanted to enjoy the lake. The woman, however, I hope that the king was away and when that happened, ordered the construction of the door, adding a Krishna temple for the return of the agent did not topple. Apparently the ruse was effective, and today we can enjoy this entry, worthy of the natural environment.

There from his palace, from his window
admires this white teardrop
poetry made art, art that passion starts
for you, my beloved, my wife, my soul sister

… And that is the Taj Mahal is this: poetry made art, a love song, a sublime work that only a loving soul would be able to offer the world. There, just above the entrance portico, you can read some verses of the Quran that describe the paradise that give you an idea of what we would find ourselves and what we feel, as magic words, bronze gate that we find a “pearl palace surrounded by gardens.

Nothing is more profound for any traveler to sit in one of the benches found throughout the Garden of Paradise and admire the impressive Mausoleum silhouette outlined against a clear sky, which gradually stains pink at dusk, while background, outside of the temple in the city, in Agra, a small town in northern India in the state of Uttar Pradesh, we hear the chants and prayers of these people own. So while we admire the magnificent perfection of the whole, its symmetry, the ponds, a perfect golden key and open the way toward the marble temple, among lotus flowers floating on the water, our mind wanders absorbed , lonely, forgotten by both tourists around us, and we remember almost with tears in their eyes the sad story of Emperor Shah Jahan.

Shah Jahan to his beloved Arjumand met in a bazaar where it was selling crystals. Admired for her beauty was not able to speak to him at first, pursued by the armies of his father, the Emperor, because of that relationship, after two wives and five years since that first meeting, joined in marriage. Arjumand became known as Mumtaz Mahal, “the chosen of the palace”. During years were a loving couple who lived on each other, she was his faithful companion in all his campaigns, he showered her with gifts, details, flowers, diamonds. After the death of Emperor Jehangir, Shah Jahan ascended the throne. Two years later, in 1630, tragedy struck …

There sat on the bench, with the last rays of sun reflected on that work of art, while my gaze was directed toward the silhouette that was emerging in the pond, I imagined the final sequence … in full military campaign in Burhanpur, the new emperor was advised that the 13th delivery of his wife was complicated. Shah Jahan was running desperately toward his tent, just in time to take her hand and give a final goodbye. The emperor no longer be the same again. He retreated to the Red Fort on the left bank of the river Yamuna, where he lived, imprisoned by his son, the last years of his life, leaving the Empire in the hands of his successors. Against the strong, visible from all windows and across the river, built the most impressive Mausoleum human mind could ever conceive. The best builders, the best workers, the best jewelry, the best stones … all was little for the resting place of his beloved even shifted the Yamuna to the Taj Mahal could be reflected in its waters. And there, after two decades of construction in 1648, was buried his beloved Mumtaz Mahal. And there, beside her, was buried years later the emperor for that draw always bliss.

Slow, sad on the one hand, impressed by the other, happy to meet any traveler’s dream, walked around the gardens, so symmetrical, so colorful, so natural. As if it were a delicacy, that I left for the final artwork. And there, after climbing the first rungs of access, and up close, the more immense mausoleum was more impressive. Something that attracts you, a force that leads you to want to play with your own hands and discover that the marble is not a dream or an illusion. And awe admire the many jewels that are embedded in its facade: lapis lazuli, jasper, malachite, turquoise, carnelian … Inside, alas, the chamber in which lie both true, is not visited, I could only see the first burial chamber very large, with windows that play with the colors of the sun’s rays that enter it. Inside, the visit is short, and the dream is true, we will always remember the image is on the outside … I direct my steps slowly out from the joint, along the pond … there at the end of the pool, turning my gaze back and spend those last few minutes to admire the Taj Mahal once again … to see how the sun begins to hide behind the dome, after the towers …