My rickshaw was moving away from the city limits, east of
the fort. The road is parched, as golden as the structures that rise from the
earth. Once upon a time, in an epoch of merchants, adventure seekers and
conquerors, the city depended on Gadisar
Lake (Gadi Sagar Lake) for their
water supply. The area is a basin for rainwater, a virtual oasis in an arid
terrain. These days, the lake is surrounded by temples, including a Krishna
temple built by a famous prostitute,
some tombs of saints, a cultural center, a local museum and several sheds that
provide perfect viewpoint when you just want to enjoy the serene waters.
I took a leisurely walk from the paved road leading down to
the tank, passing under an imposing archway called Tilon-ki-Pol. This was also financed by the aforementioned
prostitute who offered to pay for the archway. When she asked the king’s permission,
he refused permission. He didn’t want to visit the lake and have to pass under
the archway built by a prostitute. It would be an affront to his dignity. When
the king was away, she built it anyway, and included a Krishna Temple on top so
that the king wouldn’t be able to tear it down.
The shed at the center of the lake is home to hundreds of
birds. Paddle boats wait for customers, but the sun was bearing down its heat
so there were no takers. Five men wearing turbans curiously sat beside the
lake, gazing into the waters, seemingly suspended in their reverie. I went
closer to the water to see some people throwing bread down the lake – and there
was a school of voracious catfish feasting on their giveaway food. Across the
lake, the dryness of the land stretches on to the horizon. Very few vegetation seem
to survive. Imagine when it’s midsummer, when temperatures rise to 41 and 43
degrees.
I like places like this. It’s like a symbol of hope in the midst of drought. To visit the lake, you have to hire a rickshaw to take you
outside the city limits.
This is the Eye in the Sky!
 |
| Road leading towards the lake through the Tilon-ki-Pol Archway. |
 |
| Tilon-ki-Pol Archway |
 |
| Boats for hire |
 |
| A school of voracious catfish |
 |
| Catfish feasting on bread (above and below) |
 |
| A temple (above and below) |
 |
| Vendor selling colorful vases |
 |
| Beggar |
 |
| The way out of Gadisar |
 |
| Gadisar Lake in relation to the city of Jaisalmer. It's located south east of the city (bottom right of the map). |
