In the city of Jaisalmer, Rajasthan a classical architectural marvel stands, known as the Patwon ki Haveli. Situated near the Patwa valley, this haveli comprises of 5 different palaces, and is also known as the house of the brocade merchants, because it was built by a wealthy brocade merchant and jeweler. The 5 mansions are meant for 5 Patwa brothers. At present, there is one haveli where guests are put up, while two others are under the authority of Archeological Survey of India. Inside the mansion, there is a museum and shop for antique furniture. The mansion is made of yellow sandstone with brown gateway. The walls are adorned with exquisite mirror works and beautiful paintings. Also, each of its arches is created with a distinctly unique style. There are lattice or jali carvings, which let the sunlight illuminate the place. It has about 60 balconies in total, and the structure is constructed in traditional style of Jaisalmer. This mansion complex is one of the most well preserved heritages of the region.
At a distance of 500 m from Jaisalmer Fort and 1.5 km from Jaisalmer Railway Station, Patwon-ki-Haveli is situated in a narrow lane near the Patwa Complex in Jaisalmer. It is the first haveli to have been erected in Jaisalmer and also one of the top places to visit in Jaisalmer.
The Patwon ki Haveli is considered to be the one of the largest as well as the finest haveli of Rajasthan. This haveli is essentially a cluster of five havelis, which was constructed in 1805 CE by Guman Chand Patwa. A rich trader, Guman Chand Patwa constructed five separate sections for his five sons. The first haveli is the main and also the grandest haveli in the complex. The entire construction took over 55 years to complete.
Located in the center of the city, it is truly an outstanding piece of architecture. It is renowned for its ornate wall paintings, intricate yellow sandstone-carved jharokas or balconies, gateways and doorways. The haveli is built using yellow sandstone and the main gateway is brown in colour. The haveli is five stories high divided into six apartments. The walls also feature beautiful mirror work and several paintings. There is a stunning apartment which is flawlessly painted with beautiful murals. There are about 60 balconies in the haveli.
Amongst the five Havelis which form the entire complex, one has been converted into a museum which displays a vast collection of antique furniture and decorative goods. Besides this, the third Haveli or mansion in the premises also houses rich items that include traditional art and craft work of the local craftsmen. Two havelis are under the authorization of the Archaeological Survey of India and one serves as private accommodation.
Currently, this haveli is maintained by the state government, which uses it for different official purposes. The office of State art and craft department and the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) is placed in the haveli.
Known as the golden city of India, Jaisalmer is a beautiful city in Rajasthan. Among all the things that make this city popular, “Patwon Ki Haveli,” also known as the Mansion of Brocade Merchants tops the list.Patwon Ki Haveli is a cluster of five large havelis in Jaisalmer. Built in 1805 by Guman Chand Patwa, it took the workers almost 55 years to complete the first haveli. With an interesting history, Patwon Ki Haveli is actually the first and the largest haveli to be constructed in Jaisalmer. History says that Patwa was an extremely wealthy man and a well-known trader of his time.
Due to his riches, he could afford to build a luxurious palace and thus ordered the construction of separate stories – one for each of his five sons. The entire family dealt in gold and silver threads that were used in embroidering clothes and so, there was no dearth of money in the family.
Once home to the Patwa family, today the cluster of havelis is occupied by the Rajasthan government’s art and craft department. Its beautiful architecture, creative mirror work, intricate carvings, lovely paintings, and its rich goldish yellow color is what makes this cluster of havelis a favorite among tourists and locals alike.
How to Reach Patwon ki Haveli
The distance between Patwon Ki haveli and Jaisalmer Bus Stand is around 1.5 km. It is best to walk to the place since the haveli complex is situated in a narrow lane. However, one can also hire a rickshaw, auto or cab. You can either take the Gadisar Road route or the Hanuman Chauraha to reach Patwon Ki Haveli.
Best Time to Visit Patwon ki Haveli
The best time to visit Patwon Ki Haveli is from September to February. It is because this is the time when the weather is pretty pleasant in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan.
Mornings are pleasant and nights are cold. It is best to avoid a visit during the summer months since it can get really hot and unpleasant.
What Not to Miss at Patwon ki Haveli
Things to see at Patwon Ki Haveli
1. Take a Ride To The Past – Tourists can see historical pieces of evidence and artifacts that are safely kept in the Archeological Survey of India’s office within the complex of the haveli.
2. Enjoy a Panoramic View Of The Complex – Tourists can view the entire courtyard of the haveli complex from the numerous balconies of the havelis.
3. Admire Ancient Artwork – Exquisite carvings, mirror work, paintings, and artwork is present in the gateways, arches, jharokhas, and halls of the havelis. Tourists can spend some time admiring the same.
4. Visit The Historic Museum – There is a museum that depicts the lifestyle of the residents of Rajasthan and also the artwork of the past. It is quite interesting, especially for history lovers.
5. Spend Some Time in The First Haveli – The first haveli is the largest of the five havelis and the best designed one too. Tourists can spend a good amount of time admiring the same.
6. Take a Breather – After the tour, you can sit on the bench on the square within the complex to relax your tired legs. It also makes for a perfect place to admire the entire haveli complex.
HISTORY OF THE ATTRACTION
A wealthy merchant named Guman Chand Patwa constructed this mansion complex, and the first of the mansions was built in 1805. The whole mansion complex with all its grandeur grew up in the course of 60 years. The first mansion however, remains the grandest of them all. It was the second haveli to be constructed in Jaisalmer.
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