India > Forts & Monuments > North India - Rajasthan >Gadsisar Sagar

Gadsisar Sagar, Jaisalmer

This tank, south of the city walls, was once the water supply of the city and there are many small Gadsisar Sagar and shrines around the tank. In winter a wide variety of water birds flock here. The beautiful arched gateway across the road down to the tank is said to have been built by a famous prostitute. When she offered to pay to have this gateway constructed the Maharaja refused permission since he would have to pass under it on going down to the tank and that, he felt, would be unseemly. While he was away she built the gate anyway and added a Krishna temple on top of it so the king could not subsequently tear it down.