The small city of Karauli that has recently caught the attention of tourists is an exquisite home to well decorated havelis, peaceful shrines, picturesque views and imprinted chhatris that dot the entire city. This beauty of a place in Rajasthan shares its borders with the heart of India, Madhya Pradesh and is surrounded by Dausa, Dholpur and sawai Madhopur in Rajasthan. This city resonates with Mughal architectural panache and is world renowned for its pale red sandstone that surrounds the entire city with strong and sturdy wall. Apart from its royal history, Karauli offers its visitors a rural and tranquil ambience with warm and hospitable behaviour, echoing the true old Rajasthani culture
Located around 400 km from Delhi, Hanumangarh is a city best known for its temples and its historical significance given that it was once part of the Indus Valley Civilization. Recent excavations in the area have revealed some stunning artefacts belonging to an era of great significance to human history. The city is also known to be an agricultural marketplace where cotton and wool are woven on handlooms and sold. The primary tourist attraction of Hanumangarh is the Bhatner fort, a beautiful structure whose history dates back thousands of years.
Formerly the kingdom of Bhati kings, Hanumangarh was originally called Bhatner. However, when Raja Suraj Singh of Bikaner captured the city he rechristened it ‘Hanumangarh’. The reason being that the city was won on a Tuesday, a day considered auspicious to the Hindu god Hanuman. The Hanumangarh area is steeped in history and is believed to have once been part of the Indus Valley Civilization. This region was also important due to its location on Delhi-Multan highway as traders from Central Asia, Sindh and Kabul used to travel to Delhi and Agra via Bhatner. Several artefacts, coins and even entire buildings belonging to the era have been found upon excavation in the area.
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GATEWAY TO RANTHAMBORE
Cuddled up in the eastern zone of Rajasthan, Sawai Madhopur is one of the prominent conurbations of Rajasthan. Popularly known as the ‘Gateway to Ranthambore’, the town has seen many historic episodes and reigns. Sawai Madhopur has partly plain and partly undulating hilly terrain. The South and south east part of the district has hills and broken ground which form a part of a vast track of rugged region enclosing the narrow valley of the Chambal river. Surrounded by Vindhyas & Aravalis, this place is a treat for adventure enthusiasts as well as the ones with a fascination for history, with the Ranthambore National park- the most renowned national park in northern India and the Ranthambore Fort which was recently included in the list of UNESCO’s World Heritage sites, being the main attractions.
Passed on from the Chauhan Rajput king, Govinda to Vagabhatta, from RanaKumbha to Akbar and Aurangzeb, the city has been patronized by almost all the rulers. Beautification and renovation of the city has been regularly undertaken in almost all the regimes. Under the rule of Rao Hammir, the last Chauhan ruler the Ranthambore region prospered magnificently. In ancient India the region was more popularly known as Ranthambore. It was much later that it received the name, Sawai Madhopurfrom Maharaja SawaiMadhoSinghji I who is believed to have given the city its current plan in 1765 AD. During the British Rule Sawai Man Singh built a railway line between Jaipur and Sawai Madhopur. As a result it became accessible from a central spot in the state of Rajasthan. Today it has grown as one of the popular tourist destination in India. Former state of Karauli, Ranthambore was amongst the strongest forts of medieval India and is linked to Prithviraj, the ruler of Shakambhari who has golden cupolas put on the Jain temple of Ranthambore. To check the increasing incurious of the Marathas, Madho Singh, the ruler of Jaipur State requested for the grant of the fort of Ranthambore but did not succeed.
The northern-most city of Rajasthan, Sri Ganganagar is located near the border of the state of Punjab and also the international border of the nation of Pakistan. It is often referred to as “the food basket of Rajasthan” due to its fertile plains similar to those one would find in Punjab. The area was once barren and dry but was converted to a green town thanks to Maharaja Ganga Singh who constructed the Gang Canal to carry excess water from Punjab and Himachal Pradesh to the town. Today, Sri Ganganagar is famed for its produce of wheat, mustard, cotton, bajra, sugarcane and grams. Kinnow, a hybrid citrus fruit is a popular horticultural product that is grown here. Majority of the industries in the area are based on agriculture and it provides a livelihood to a majority of the residents of Sri Ganganagar.
In ancient times, two mighty rivers i.e. the Saraswati and the Drishadvati flowed through the area making it home to tribes similar to those belonging to Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa. However, in due course the rivers started to dry up causing a natural calamity that wiped out the tribes and caused Sri Ganganagar to turn into a barren wasteland. During the 15th century, Rao Bika established Bikaner and the territory of Sri Ganganagar was part of the princely State of Bikaner. Finally in 1927, the overhaul of Sri Ganganagar was complete thanks to the Gang Canal constructed by Maharaja Ganga Singh as the city was restored to its former glory.
Famous as the ‘city of textiles and looms’, Bhilwara is home to the world renowned Ramdwara of Ramsnehi Sampraday. The founder Guru of the Sampraday, Swami Ramcharanji Maharaj, preached to his followers here and later decided to move to Shahpura. The present day headquarters of the Ram Snehi Sampraday, known as Ram Niwas Dham are located in Shahpura.
Some people say that Bhilwara got its name from the Bhils (tribal people) who lived there during the days of yore. As per a story, the city of Bhilwara had a mint that minted coins known as ‘bhiladi’. This is supposedly the origin of the district’s name. Bhilwara’s cultural history can also be traced back to the Nagar Brahmins mentioned in the Skanda Purana.
Jhalawar, once called Brijnagar is known for its rich natural wealth of vibrant flora and fauna. However, unlike other cities of Rajasthan, Jhalawar has a rocky but water-laden verdant landscape. Red poppy fields and orange laden orchards are strewn across Jhalawar, lending it a colourful look. They also contribute a major share to the production of citrus in the country. This place has a varied cultural heritage that includes many forts and palaces from the Rajput and Mughal periods. It is solely famous for the large numbers of temples and religious sites.
Jhalawar was named after its founder, Jhala Zalim Singh in 1838. He was the Dewan of Kota State and established the town as a cantonment, then known as Chaoni Umedpura near the existing Jhalrapatan Fort. At that time, the township was surrounded by dense forests which were home to many exotic species. The Dewan often came here to hunt and grew so fond of the place that he decided to turn it into a township. It was later turned into a military cantonment when the Maratha invaders passed through the city to capture Hadoti states.
ATTRACTIONS & PLACES TO VISIT AND EXPLORE IN JHALAWAR
separate area carved out of the beautiful region of Kota, Baran is located further in the Hadoti province of Rajasthan. A traveller’s dream, Baran is the land of picturesque wooded hills and valleys, where one can stumble upon old ruins that tell stories of an era long gone. The city is known for its Ram- Sita temples, serene picnic spots and vibrant tribal fairs and festivals. The history of Baran dates back to the 14th century when Solanki Rajputs ruled over the region. In 1949, Baran became the head-divisional quarter of Kota when Rajasthan was reconstituted. It became an established district of Rajasthan in 1991.Baran is popular for attracting tourists who prefer exploring the non-commercial aspects of the State. Its architectural marvels, a beautiful collection of temples dedicated to Ram and Sita and mighty fortresses add to Baran’s natural beauty.
A small town near the city of Jaipur, Tonk is one of the most interesting places in Rajasthan and is renowned for its old havelis and mosques. This elegant town of Jaipur was once ruled by the Pathans of Afghanistan. The ancient town takes pride in its beautiful architectural wonders, established during the Mughal era. The Nawab of Tonk was very fond of literature and built a large library of Persian and Arabic manuscripts. Founded in the 17th century, the town of Tonk serves as a host to several mansions, mosques and British colonial buildings. This cross-cultural town is a mixture of Rajput buildings and Muslim architecture, which sets this town apart from others. Rich in cultural heritage and magnificent structures, Tonk attracts tourists from all over the world.
This historic city formed a part of Harsha Vardhan’s empire during which the Chinese traveller Fa-Hien visited India. The King of Jaipur, Raja Man Singh conquered Tari and Tokra Janpad, during the Akbar regime. 12 villages of Tokra Janpad were given away to Bhola Brahmin in the year 1643. Later, the name ‘Tonk’ was given to these twelve villages by Bhola. Connected to the Bairath culture and civilization, Tonk has a rich historical backdrop. The modern town of Tonk was founded by Nawab Amir Khan. Formerly a princely state, it became a part of Rajasthan in 1948. Tonk is often described as Rajasthan ka Lucknow, Adab ka Gulshan, Romantic poet Akhtar Shreerani ki Nagri, Meethe Kharboojo ka Chaman and Hindu Muslim Ekta ka Maskan. A historical town of archaeological significance, Tonk is an absolute delight for any tourist who visits this town.
SUNEHRI KOTHI
The main attraction of Tonk is the 19th century Sunehri Kothi or the Golden Mansion, situated near Bada Kuan on Najar Bagh Road. The building seems to be rugged and ordinary from its exteriors but a glimpse of its royal golden coloured interiors does absolute justice to its name. Sheesh Mahal, or the glass hall of Sunehri Kothi, is adorned with the amazing glass and floral work along with exquisite samples of Meenakari work that are sure to leave spellbound. Sunehri Kothi has been declared as an important historical monument by the Government of Rajasth
THE ARABIC AND PERSIAN RESEARCH INSTITUTE
The Arabic and Persian Research Institute Rajasthan, Tonk is located in the heart of the Tonk city in the valley of two historical hills of Rasiya and Annapoorna. The Institute has a beautiful Art gallery, started in the year 2002, with an impressive display of magnificent arts and beautiful calligraphic designs that are open to the visitors. The Institute houses some of the oldest collection of books and manuscripts in Persian and Arabic, which were studied by the Nawabs back in the 12th century. Some of the ancient books here are beautifully adorned in gold, emerald, pearls and rubies.
HAATHI BHATA
Situated around 20-30 kilometres from the Tonk- Sawai Madhopur Highway is the Hathi Bhata. Carved out from a single stone, as the name suggests, it is a magnificent elephant, and quite a popular tourist attraction. Constructed by Ram Nath Slat during the reign of Sawai Ram Singh, this monument bears an inscription that narrates the story of Nala and Damayanti.
BISALDEO TEMPLE
Bisalpur, located around 60-80 kilometres from Tonk, was founded by the Chahamana ruler Vigraharaja IV in 12th century A.D. Bisalpur is considered very important due to the temple of Gokarnesvara, also known as Bisal Deoji’s temple. It was constructed by Vigraharaja IV, who was an ardent devotee of Gokarna. The inner sanctum of the temple enshrines a Shiva linga. The temple has a hemispherical dome, supported on eight tall pillars sporting floral carvings.
Occupying an area of 28,387 sq. km, Barmer is among the larger districts in Rajasthan. Being in the western part of the state, it includes a part of the Thar Desert. Jaisalmer is to the north of this district while Jalore is in its south. Pali and Jodhpur form its eastern border and it shares a border with Pakistan in the west. Partially being a desert, this district has a large variation in temperature. The temperature in summer can rise up to 51 °C and falls to 0 °C in winter. Luni is the longest river in Barmer district. After travelling a length of almost 500 km, it passes through Jalore and merges in the marshy land of Runn of Kutch.
In 12th century this region was known as Mallani. It’s present name was give by its founder Bahada Rao, popularly known as Bar Rao, Parmar Ruler (Juna Barmer). He build a small town which is presently known as “Juna” which is 25 kms from present city of Barmer. After Parmer’s, Rawat Luka -Grand Son of Rawal Mallinath, establish their kingdom in Juna Barmer with help of his brother Rawal Mandalak. They defeated Parmers of Juna & made it their capital. Thereafter, his descendant, Rawat Bhima, who was a great warrior, established the present city of Barmer in 1552 AD and shifted his capital to Barmer from Juna. He build a small fort on top of the city which is also known as Barmer Garh. Hill of Barmer fort is 1383 feet but Rawat Bhima build fort at height of 676 feet which is safer place than top of hill. The estate of Barmer was hereditary bhumia Jagir (independent principality), being an alloidal vassal state of Marwar (Jodhpur) in Rajputana Agency and as against the other Nobles, Jagirdars and Chiefs of Jodhpur State who hold land on condition of regular services being rendered, the Rawat owes nominal allegiance and offers service only during emergencies. Once a camel trade route, This area is rich in craft that include wood carving, pottery, embroidery work and ajrak prints. Several festivals are held in Barmer, Most important being the Mallinath Cattle festival which is held at Tilwara village in remembrance of Rawal Mallinath who was founder of Mallani Pargana.
Pushkar is one of the oldest cities in India. Located to the northwest of Ajmer, the tranquil city of Pushkar is a favoured destination for thousands of tourists and devotees flocking to Rajasthan. Situated at a height of 510 metres, Pushkar is surrounded by hillocks on three sides. The ‘Nag Pahar’, literally meaning Snake Mountain forms a natural border between Ajmer and Pushkar. Known as ‘the rose garden of Rajasthan’, the essence of the famous Pushkar rose is exported all over the world. Along with an interesting mythological history, a legacy of timeless architectural heritage makes Pushkar a fascinating city.
According to legends, Lord Brahma, believed to be the creator of the Universe dropped a lotus to the ground leading to the immediate creation of a lake. He then decided to name the place after the flower, and thus the name, Pushkar. The city of Pushkar is home to the only temple dedicated to Lord Brahma in the whole world. Hindus consider a journey to Pushkar to be the ultimate pilgrimage that must be undertaken to attain salvation.
