Patwon Ki Haveli, Jaisalmer

Timings

9 AM to 5 PM

Entry fee

Modest fee, extra for camera

Best time

September to February

Ideal time needed

1 to 2 hours

Built by

Patwa merchant family

History

The first haveli is generally credited to the merchant Guman Chand Patwa in the early nineteenth century, and the other four were added for his sons over the following decades. The buildings served as family homes as well as business premises, which explains their size and the display of wealth in their decoration. Patwon Ki Haveli is often said to be the first grand haveli built in Jaisalmer.

What to see

Stand in the narrow lane outside first to take in the facade, then go inside to explore the rooms and roof.

• Jharokhas, the carved overhanging balconies, with views across the old town
• Fine stone lattice screens and ornate gateways
• Mirror work and painted murals in the restored rooms
• A museum of household objects, paintings, crafts and period furniture
• Open courtyards around which each mansion is planned

Timings and tickets

Visiting hours are 9 AM to 5 PM, and there is a modest entry fee for Indian and foreign visitors, plus a camera charge if you want to take photographs inside. Guides can be hired at the entrance. Most people spend one to two hours here, longer if they enjoy photography.

Best time and tips

September to February brings pleasant days in Jaisalmer; summer afternoons are fierce. Wear comfortable shoes, as the staircases are steep and narrow and some floors are uneven, so keep an eye on small children. Sunglasses and a hat help in the glare of the lanes. Two other famous mansions, Nathmal Ki Haveli and Salim Singh Ki Haveli, are close by and make a natural walking circuit with the fort. We can include all three in a Jaisalmer city tour.

Also nearby