Kumbhalgarh / Luni /
Mukundgarh / Nawalgarh /
Rohetgarh /
Nathdwara / Karauli /
Jhalawar/ Eklingji /
Ghanerao
The mountain fortress in the wilderness.
Kumbhalgarh, a two hour drive from Udaipur, is famous for its 15th
century fort and a game sanctuary. Approachable by road, the huge stone
bastion stands atop a hill and allows access through spiked gates. The
fort wall covers miles over the hillside and a walk on it can be
invigorating. The fort lies 1,100 metres above sea level and enclosed
within its fortified ramparts are palaces, temples, fields, water
sources and farms fully self-contained to withstand a long siege.
Kumbhalgarh provides an excellent view of the countryside where many
fierce battles were fought. It also has its significance of being the
birth place of Maharana Pratap.
WHAT TO SEE : KUMBHALGARH FORT : A hilltop fort of the 15th century.
GAME SANCTUARY : There is a crocodile farm in the sanctuary and a forest
rest house. March to June are the best months to see the bears,
panthers, antelopes and a large variety of birds.
HOW TO GET THERE :
Road : Kumbhalgarh Fort is approached by a good road.
Air : Udaipur 84 km is the nearest airport.
Village famous for its fort.
The village of Luni nestles in the shadow of the fort walls and is a hub
of activity with its many artisans fashioning metal, clay or wood into
intricate forms and demonstrating the skills passed down over the
centuries by their ancestors. The village elders solemnly reflect the
changing times under the shady trees, while the children enjoy running
around the narrow carefree streets. The women, swaying in their
brilliant Rajasthani colours go about their daily chores to give water
and sustainance to the village.
At night all is quiet in Luni village and the fort, with its huge gates
and protective walls stands proud and strong under the spectacular
canopy of stars. Peace spreads out across the desert past the near by
Luni River bed and to the city of Jodhpur 35 kilometres away.
Fort Chanwa of Luni is an exceptional 'example of elegance and symmetry
in Indian architecture of the last century. The entire fortress is
carved out of the famous red sandstone ofJodhpur and with its ornately
carved lattice work friezes andintricate Jherokas it exquisitely
captures the romance and grace of a bygone age.
The Fort is composed of a lyrical complex of courtyards, towers, water
wheels, stables, passages and unexpected stairways to secret pavillions
and panoramic roof tops spanning the village below and the Thar horizon
beyond.
The fort has been beautifully restored to its former glory by its owner
Maharaj Dalip Singhji the youngest son of H. H. Maharaja Umaid Singhji
and his wife Rani Madhu. Each room has been created and decorated with
its own particular charm and the many courtyards, verandahs and gardens
all offer a setting and ambience set to capture your heart.
WHAT TO SEE : LUNI FORT
The wealth of frescoes.
Founded in the mid 18th century by Raja Mukand Singh, Mukandgarh today
boasts of the finest frescoes of the Shekhawati Region which is commonly
called the "Open Air Art Gallery of Rajasthan".
Mukandgarh has a good handicrafts market and the Jhunjhunwala (1859)
haveli with Krishna stories and Sukhdev (1880). The 18th century fort is
now a hotel.
WHAT TO SEE : FRESCOE PAINTINGS : The area has the finest frescoes
8 km from Mandawa. Founded in 1737 by Thakur Nawal Singh. The town has a
colourful bazar and two forts (1730); the BalaKila has a kiosk with
beautiful ceiling paintings. It also has the Roop Nivas Palace (now a
hotel) and numerous fine havelis worth visiting, particularly those of
Chhauchhariyas (1875), Poddars (1920, now a-school), Bhagats, Dangaiches
and Jandgid (1922). There are also interesting temples in town including
Ganga Mai near Nansa Gate.
Your oasis in the desert.
Rohet is an evergreen Oasis, a 16th century Rathore stronghold of the
Champavats that has now linked its blue-green lakeside environs to a
perennial stream which irrigates the desert lands of Jodhpur.
Rohet is not the gaint picture postcard of the Taj Mahal where busloads
queue to reassure themselves of what they already know. Rohet is
isolated, undiscovered and unspoilt.
Rohet is a warm fortified home still alive with a tradition of enviable
cuisine and customs.
At Rohet you'll truly feel that you are the first outsider to have
arrived there. And, as Rohet draws you, linking you to its heart, it
will bind you to a point of not wanting to leave. Your hosts will be
none else than the 12th descendants of the first rulers who sat on the
Rohet throne.
A very popular dham in rajasthan.
At about 90 min. drive (about 48 kms) from Udaipur in Rajasthan lies a
very popular dham, Nathdwara set amidst idyllic hills on the left bank
of the Banas river, where one can see devotees in large numbers flocking
for worship. The place is most popular for its sacred Vaishnava temple
of Lord Srinathji, the manifestation of Lord Krishna. Sri Nathdwara or
the gateway leading to the Srinathji is also the centre of the
Pushtimarg Sampradaya, a doctrine created by Jagatguru Sri
Vallabhacharya. One can find the idol of Srinathji, sculpted out of one
piece of black marble belonging to the 12th century and was first
installed by Sri Vallabhacharya in a small temple at Jatipura, near
Mathura.
The little town is a honeycomb of lanes and alleys leading to the hub of
activity, the Srinathji temple. The Haveli of Srinathji(as the temple is
called), was once a royal palace of the Rajput rulers. Over 1000
devotees reach the temple early in the morning to serve the Lord, each
day of the year. Getting up during the early hours for the first darshan
is a regular observation where Lord Sir Nathji resides in regal
splendour. Darshans or glimpses of Srinathji can be sought 8 times in
the day collectively known as Ashtaya, the 8 darshans are Mangala,
Shrungar, Gwal, Rajbhog, Uthhapan, Bhog, Sandhaya Aarti and Shayan. In
each of them the leelas (divine manifestations) of the Lord are
described and harmonized with His daily routine. Groups of devotees
constantly flush into the temple, pushing, pulling and reaching out,
sometimes even getting hurt in the process. The darshan is like a matter
of life and death for them, and they endure it bravely eight times in a
day just for those few seconds.
WHAT TO SEE : TEMPLE OF KRISHNA, CLOTH PAINTINGS : Known as pichwais, of
Nathdwara are famous and it is possible to see artists working
painstakingly on these intricate pieces of art.
The holy city.
Karauli is a holy city situated 160 kms from Jaipur. Earlier called
Kalyanpuri, after the local deity Kalyanji, Karauli was founded in 1348
A.D. Karauli was strongly fortified by its rulers. The city is
surrounded by a wall of red sandstone strengthened by bastions at
several places. The peripheral wall, now dilapidated at several places,
has six gates and eleven posterns. As per the legends, the ruling family
of Karauli, recognised as the head of the Yadhuvanshi Rajputs, are the
descendants of Lord Krishna. Situated 23 kms. from Kaila Devi, Karauli
was an erstwhile princely state in eastern Rajasthan. Karauli is famous
for its pale red-stone.
WHAT TO SEE : Karauli has some noted places of visit like temples of
KAILA DEVI and MADAN MOHANJI and other historic monuments. The annual
fair at the Kaila Devi temple is quite popular.
The enchanting wilderness.
Jhalawar lies in the south eastern region of Rajasthan, at the edge of
the Malwa plateau. This region rich in forests has exotic flora and
fauna and is a haven for numerous species of birds which can be spotted
on the roads as one drives along the lush green fields. In the winter
fields of white and pink poppy add colour to the countryside. The area
around Bhawani mandi has the distinction of being an important place on
the citrus fruit map.
WHAT TO SEE : JHALAWAR FORT (GARH PALACE) : Situated in the centre of
the town, this beautiful monument houses the Colectorate and other
offices. Built by Maharaja Madan Singh in 1838, his successors later
added beautiful paintings in the rooms which can be seen with the
Collector’s permission. GOVERNMENT MUSEUM : Set up in 1915, is one of
the oldest museums of Rajasthan, housing rare manuscripts, paintings,
coins, sculptures etc. BHAWANI NATYA SHALA : A unique theatre built by
Maharaja Bhawani Singh in 1921 for performance of plays and cultural
events. JHALARAPATAN : Is famous for the Sun Temple (Padma Nath temple).
Built in the 9th-10th century, it is one of the best examples of temple
architecture of north India.
HOW TO GET THERE :
By Air : The closest airport is Jaipur 340 kms. away.
By Rail : Ramganj Mandi is 25 kms. away from Jhalawar and is on the main
Delhi-Mumbai line. Dehradun express is frontier mail and have stops
here.
By Road : Jhalawar is connected with Kota (87 kms), Bundi (125 kms) and
Jaipur (335 kms).
Chiselled out of sandstone and marble, a complex of 108 temples enclosed
by high walls, it was built in 734 A.D. The temple is devoted to the
family diety of the rulers of Mewar.
HOW TO GET THERE :
It is best to hire a taxi from Udaipur 22kms to get to Eklingji as
public transport is erratic.
Ghanerao, 18km from Ranakpur, houses the castle where Meera Bai
(worshipper of Lord Krishna) spent her childhood. Within the red
sandstone walls of Royal Castle Ghanerao, built in the 15th century, is
a temple with the idol she worshipped. The castle has partly turned into
a hotel, another part is used by the present generation of the royal
family. Kumbhalgarh sanctuary extends to the periphery of Ghanerao
village. Several lakes surround the village. The castle can also be your
base for a longer horse safari in the region.
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