Counted among the prime attractions of Jaisalmer, Nathmalji Ki Haveli stands as a beautiful mansion sitting in the heart of the city. The haveli was built to serve as residence for Diwan Mohata Nathmal during the late 19th century. The architecture of the mansion reflects the artistry and finesse of the craftsman back then. The haveli was designed by two Muslim brothers Lulu and Hathi and hence a lot of influence of Islamic architecture can be seen in the haveli.

The haveli reflects the grand lifestyle of the royals of Rajasthan. The interior of the mansion is also paid attention on. The walls carry beautiful carvings and murals. The jarokhas (windows) and the balconies are the main attraction of the mansion. The screens are so finely carved that they resemble delicately carved jewellery pieces.

History of Nathmlalji Ki Haveli

The haveli was built in the late 19th century. The construction of the mansion was commissioned by Maharawal Beri Sal for the then prime minister. The construction of the mansion was assigned to two brothers who started working on the left and right wings individually. Even though both the wings are constructed by different people but the symmetry is still maintained. Both the wings have different carvings.

Architecture

The haveli exists as a perfect example of the blend of Rajput and Islamic architecture. The architectural features and the detailed carvings leave the visitors in awe. Despite the fact that both the wings of the mansion were built by different people simultaneous the haveli carries a wonderful harmony. Just like any other haveli in Rajasthan, Nathmalji Ki Haveli also features two carved tuskers guarding the main entrance. The interior carving and frescos of the mansion are worth noticing.

Major Structures

Entrance

The two yellow elephants carved from yellow sandstone are the unique structures of the mansion. These elephants stand at the main entrance and appear to be guarding the haveli. Boundaries guarding both the wings meet at a single façade at the entrance of the mansion.

Interiors and Jharokhas

The interior of the mansion features miniature paintings. The intricately carved jharokhas and balconies add to the beauty and grandeur of the mansion. The carvings on the walls and pillars are so fine and intricate that visitors cannot escape observing the fine craftsmanship. The pillars and walls have images of horses, cattle and other animals carved over them. Tourists can also see several floral depictions on the walls of the mansion.

Ceiling

The ceilings in the haveli are huge and feature beautiful work of art that cannot be overlooked.

Nearby Tourist Attractions

• Badal Mahal
• Jaisalmer Quilla
• Jaisalmer Fort Gate
• State Handloom and Art Gallery
• Folklore Museum

The haveli stands as a well-known tourist attraction in Jaisalmer. The mansion features beautiful architecture and fine craftsmanship. There are several attractions within close reach of the mansion. Nathmalji ki Haveli happens to be an excellent piece of architecture and a must-visit for anyone planning a trip to Jaisalmer.

How to Reach

Nathmalji Ki Haveli finds a perfect location in Jaisalmer close to several other renowned attractions. The haveli can be reached from any end of the city by rickshaw, taxis or tourists can also prefer walking. Jaisalmer is conveniently connected by rail and road to several major cities in India.

Jaisalmer is situated on Highway 15 and offers convenient connectivity to cities in Rajasthan and the neighbouring states. Rajasthan government operates the RSRTC buses connecting Jaisalmer to cities like Jalore, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Ahmedabad, Bikaner, Barmer, etc. There are two bus stations in the city one opposite to the railway station and another on the Shiv Road near the Bank of Bikaner.

Jaisalmer also offers excellent railway connectivity. The city is connected by both broad gauge and narrow gauge railway lines. Direct trains connect Jaisalmer to major cities like Jaipur, Jodhpur and Delhi. The luxury train, ‘Palace on Wheels’ also makes a stop at Jaisalmer.

Jaisalmer does not have its own airport. The closest airport to the city is in Jodhpur. Jodhpur is about 300Km from Jaisalmer and can be reached by buses, taxis or train. The Jodhpur airport has flights to almost all main cities in India.

The Haveli can be visited from 9:00AM till 5:00PM. Tourists have to pay an entry fee of Rs 40 to visit the haveli. Still and video cameras are not charged.