Patwon ki Haveli, Jaisalmer | Architecture, History, Entry Fee

Patwon ki Haveli, Jaisalmer Overview

Also known as the Mansion of Brocade Merchants, Patwon Ki Haveli is a famous tourist attraction in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. At first glance from the narrow street it faces, one would see several windows and balconies with intricate carvings, and once inside, they would get to witness the grandeur of the Haveli. It is a cluster of five small havelis built by a rich trader in the 19th Century. Locals also refer the haveli as Kothari’s Patwa Haveli. The five havelis were built for the family and together, the entire complex forms the largest mansion in the city. It still possesses an ample number of artefacts and stonework that give a glimpse into the regal lifestyle of the Patwa family. It is one of three havelis that are deemed impressive in the city. The building comes under the Archaeological Survey of India, and it is recognized as a renowned architectural as well as a historical site.

The intricacy of this architecture lies in its exquisite wall paintings, balconies that open to a panoramic view, gateways, arches and most importantly the mirror works on the wall. In one of the sections of the Haveli, the Mural work is designed uniquely, and each portion separates from one another depicting a specific style. With over 60 balconies, the pillars and ceilings of this golden architecture are carved in intricate designs and miniature works.

History of Patwon Ki Haveli, Jaisalmer

Patwon Ki Haveli was built in the early 1800s by Guman Chand Patwa, who was an affluent merchant from Jaisalmer. Their family is said to be one of the famous dealers of gold and silver embroidery threads. They were thus recognised as the Brocade Merchants, and the haveli was also called the Mansion of Brocade Merchants. Rumour has it that the family was also involved in smuggling opium illegally at that time. Guman Chand Patwa wanted to build a haveli in Jaisalmer and commissioned its construction in 1805. As time progressed and as he made more profits in trading, he decided to create five separate havelis for his sons in the same complex. Patwon Ki Haveli took about 60 years to be constructed entirely and became the largest mansion in Jaisalmer.

Architecture of Patwon ki Haveli

Patwon Ki Haveli is a 5-storey Rajputana mansion with traditional Jaisalmer architecture. It is made of yellow sandstone and has intricate detailing. Each floor forms a different haveli; the mansion on the ground floor (the first haveli) being the largest of them all. The entire complex of havelis is beautifully decorated with a variety of patterns carved into the sandstone. The gateways and arches, in particular, are massive and intricately decorated. The interiors are just as fascinating with high ceilings, pillars, door frames, mirror work and paintings. There are 60 traditional Jharokhas and windows in the mansion, and each has ornately carved stone frames and latticework that brightens the place with natural light and aids cross ventilation.

Museum

Other than the Jaisalmer architecture, tourists can also visit the in-house museum maintained by the Archaeological Survey in India. The collection has several artefacts belonging to the 19th Century from the haveli. The museum also has other artefacts that provide a window in the culture and customs of Jaisalmer. Several gateways, arches, balconies etc. have some rich mirror work from the bygone era which can be seen by tourists. One may choose to hire a guide at a small fee of INR 200/- to get more information while exploring the site. Photography is allowed inside Patwon Ki Haveli but tourists have to pay a small fee to carry their video or still cameras inside.

Historical Places Around Patwon ki Haveli

After exploring Patwon Ki Haveli, tourists may explore some more works of traditional architecture located in the vicinity. Some of them are the Jaisalmer Fort, Nathmal Ji Ki Haveli, Salim Singh Ki Haveli, Folklore Museum, Tazia Tower, Government Museum etc. These attractions are located very close to Patwon Ki Haveli. The Nathmal Ji Ki Haveli and the Salim Singh Ki Haveli are barely 3 to 7 minutes walkable distance, while the Tazia Tower, the Jaisalmer Fort and the Folklore Museum are barely a kilometre away. Tourists can hop on public transport if they do not wish to walk a long distance and still manage to cover as many attractions as possible in Jaisalmer.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Patwon Ki Haveli in Jaisalmer is between the months of November and February. Jaisalmer’s geographic location makes it a hot and arid city but the winter season is considerably cooler than the summers to explore the haveli and many other attractions around it. The temperature hovers between a maximum of 30°C and a minimum of 7.5°C, but, the architecture of the haveli keeps it quite cool even during the peak afternoons. So, tourists can visit the attraction at any time of the day.
The summers begin in the month of March and last till June. This time of the year is extremely hot and the temperature spikes as high as 42°C. Between July and September, the region experiences monsoon season. The average annual rainfall is around 190 to 210 mm which hardly cools down the city (average high around 38°C).

How To Reach Patwon ki Haveli

Patwon Ki Haveli is located in Amar Singh Pol, in the central region of Jaisalmer. Most major city roads lead to the area, but from a certain point, tourists have to go on foot to reach the haveli via narrow lanes. Within the city, public transport can be used to reach the attraction. Auto rickshaws and bicycle rickshaws are the most affordable options. Tourists can reach Patwon Ki Haveli through Dedanasar Road, High School Road, Sand Dunes Road, Station Road or Jethwai Road.
The Jaisalmer Bus Stand is located about 2.5 kilometres away. The Jaisalmer Airport is located about 9.5 kilometres while the Jaisalmer Railway Junction is located 1.3 kilometres away from the haveli.