Patwon ki Haveli

Overview

Patwon ki Haveli is a cluster of five adjoining mansions in Jaisalmer, built in the early nineteenth century by the Patwa family, wealthy traders in brocade and jewellery. The first of the five is the largest and best known, and parts of it are open as a museum.

The facade is covered in intricately carved yellow sandstone, with balconies, arches and jharokhas, and the rooms inside have painted walls, mirror work and period furnishings. It shows how rich merchants lived in the desert city.

What to look for

• The carved balconies and jharokhas on the facade
• Painted walls and mirror work in the rooms
• The view from the roof over the old city

Visiting tips

• Go in the morning, when the sandstone is cool and the lanes are quiet.
• Allow about an hour; other havelis, such as Nathmal ki Haveli, are close by.
• Wear shoes with grip on the steps and uneven floors.

Why visit with a private guide

A private guide shows you where to stand, when to arrive and what most visitors miss at Patwon ki Haveli, and fits the visit around the rest of your day.

More photographs

Nearby

Junagarh Fort Karni Mata Rampuria Havelis Fort Sam Sand Dunes Gadisar Lake Desert Camp Bhandasar Jain Temple