The movie locations in The Sand Dunes of Jaisalmer are world famous destinations

The sand dunes filming is favourite hot spots in every third movie, Rajasthan sands are full of legendary romance in royal moods.

One of the most fascinating sites in Rajasthan is possibly the sand dunes of Jaisalmer. It has been the perfect background for some grandiose, dance extravaganzas in Hindi movies. It is around forty kilometers from the city of Jaisalmer and a great relief from the hustle and bustle of our everyday existence. The city also has a fort which as the guides tells you is the only “living fort” in the country i.e. here people stay in the fort even today. The fort boasts of some beautiful temples and the usual tourist attractions of Rajasthani art and craft.  After a visit to the fort, you head towards the Sam sand dunes and you are pleasantly surprised to see the serene wide expanse of sand dunes in Sam.

As you reach the sand dunes, the serenity is broken by the sound of tourists and the travel guides. There is a huge crowd of people to see the sunset and sunrise at Sam sand dunes. Tourism in Rajasthan is very well developed and hence you have local artistes singing and dancing to create the perfect setting for a perfect sunset. The sand dunes look majestic but are equally treacherous and it is wise not to venture out too far away even if you find the noise maddening. A camel cart or a camel ride to the sunset point adds to the beauty of the trip. When the red sun sets suddenly behind the sand dunes it leaves behind great memories in your mind. However, as soon as the sun sets the place gets dark and unbelievably cold.

Now is the time to head to the accommodation that is entirely of tents, some ordinary and some luxurious. The tents usually have beds and an attached toilet. Soon after you come back from the sunset point and freshen up after the hectic day, you can hear the sound of music wafting near you tent. This comes from the local artists arranged by the tent managers. They are gathered near a bonfire that each cluster of tents has in its central area. People usually sit around the bonfire and listen to some Rajasthani music and enjoy Rajasthani dance. The local artists encourage you to participate in the song and dance. The setting is perfect for some ethnic Rajasthani cuisine which is very varied and delicious too. As the evening progresses, it gets quite cold outside especially during the winter months. A good night’s rest is what the doctor ordered for you.

The next morning is the time to visit the locals and get a first hand idea of life in these harsh conditions. It is unbelievable how humans adapt to all kinds of environments and lead a near normal active life. The cold does not deter them from performing any of the duties of everyday life. In January, the places just outside the villages are so cold you tend to forget that you are in a desert and not on a hilltop. Deserts are hot during the day and cold at night, but it is a revelation that it can be this cold in the desert in the winter mornings. All in all, a visit to the sand dunes of Jaisalmer is a must to savor the real essence of the Thar desert of India.