Pokhran is a city and a municipality located in the Jaisalmer district of the Indian state of Rajasthan. It is a remote location in the Thar Desert region and served as the test site for India’s first underground nuclear weapon detonation. Balagarh fort was built by the Marwar Thakur, Rao Maldeo in the 14th Century, it is otherwise known as the Pokhran Fort. Pokhran means the place of five mirages enclosed by sandy, rocky, salt ranges. Although a small temple made of red sandstone, the fort is dedicated to Goddess Durga. It is situated in a remote region of the Thar desert which also served as a test site for India’s first underground nuclear weapon detonations.

The majestic fort has a huge door with sinister spikes jutting out to stop elephant stampede. It houses a museum displaying armoury, pottery, miniature paintings and costumes worn by the maharajas of the bygone era. Surrounding the fort is the village of Pokhran that welcomes every traveller with a warm heart. The local weavers and potters working at the market, safari over the sand dunes, a community that feeds the migratory birds are all the beauty of Pokhran. 

The best time to visit Pokhran Fort in Jaisalmer is during the winter season which begins in the month of November and lasts till February. The rest of the year, Jaisalmer experiences extremely high temperatures keeping the deserts dry and arid. The mercury level fluctuates between a maximum of 31°C and a minimum of 7°C during the winter season. The average remains around 20°C, making it an enjoyable time to explore the Fort located in the midst of the Thar Desert. Summers and monsoons (from April to September) are not recommended because the average temperature is quite high, around 34°C during summers and 30°C during monsoons, and the region receives low amounts of rainfall.