Handcrafted Stone of Jaisalmer, Rajasthan

Floral and geometric patterns used for pillars, balconies and screens; carved cupolas and ornamental friezes - are elements incorporated in many a new home and hotel.

Ornamental stone doorway in a contemporary building in Jaisalmer. The city is known for its stone carving, widely seen in its rich architectural heritage.

Modern buildings in the city at times combine stone carving with other design elements, such as the use of different coloured stone in this passageway.

Many of Jaisalmer’s institutions – schools, hotels, mosques, temples – have retained traditional style carved sandstone in their architecture.

This common thread unites the old and new, giving the city a distinct character of its own.

An ornate panel, based on the window frame design common in traditional Rajput architecture. Much of the contemporary stone carving is inspired by the traditional work seen in old buildings.

Stone carving combined with the use of wood and glass in a contemporary building. Carvings in the older buildings are more delicate and detailed compared to newer work.

A hotel under construction. True to its appellation as the ‘golden city’ Jaisalmer has continued its use of local yellow sandstone as the basic construction material.

Hand work is a defining element in the city’s architectural style.

Workers at a construction site.

In addition to the architectural application of sandstone, the city’s artisans also craft smaller, undecorated stone products.

These are primarily turned on the lathe, and take the form of a variety of everyday objects.

Articles like mortar-and-pestles find use in local homes.

Others, like these stone goblets, are made with an eye to visitors and tourists.

The nature of the stone gives it a distinct character. This makes for interesting souvenirs, like these pyramid shaped paper weights popular amongst tourists.

Other features of this stone are its purported medicinal value, and its ability to convert milk to curd. Small vessels like these are made with this in mind.

A fossil stone article with a natural translucent deposit.

Jaisalmer is dotted with numerous small shops that sell stone products made of local sandstone and fossil stone.

While the crafting of small stone products is a relatively new skill, it is now as ubiquitous in Jaisalmer as the stone carving found in the city’s architecture.

Read more about Jaisalmer's stonecraft tradition here:

- Life in the Golden City
- Architectural Heritage of Jaisalmer