After lunch, we took a look at the Vyas Chhatris and Bada Bagh cenotaphs. The desert had begun to get to us and we decided to get adventurous by taking a Camel Safari.

On camel-backs, we left for Samm (pronounced Sum) sand dunes some 40 kms (26 miles) away visiting the villages enroute. Spent an enchanting evening on the sands watching the sensuous snake dance of the Kalbeliya gypsies and listening to the full throated folks songs of the Manganiyars. Sleeping in tents under the desert starscape was another of our unforgettable experiences of Rajasthan.

Samm Dunes - Click to enlarge

Last night's revelries could not keep us from waking up early in the morning to see the cool golden sands of Samm changing colours in the sunrise. Explored around on camels and proceeded back to Jaisalmer visiting different villages, ruins and temples enroute.

We could quite imagine what it must be like to be here during the highly popular three-day long Desert Festival, when the sands come alive in a magnificient spectacle of colour, music and festivity. Folk music apart, there are turban-tying competitions, Mr. Desert contest, longest moustache competition, camel races, camel polo, Gair dancers and Fire dancers as well. The grand finale is at the Samm dunes on a moonlit night where the festivities continue.

Later in the day, we visited the Lodurva ruins of Jain Temples and the palaces at Moolsagar and Amarsagar.