BHARATPUR - WORLD’S MOST FASCINATING BIRD RESERVE

The history of Bharatpur dates back to 5th century BC, when the Matsya kingdom flourished here. The Matsyas were allies of the Pandavas in the Mahabharata war. Legends say that the origin of the name Bharatpur is traced to Bharat, younger brother of Lord Ram. Laxman, the other brother, was given the most prestigious position as that of the family deity of the ruling family of Bharatpur. His name also appears in the state seals and coat-of-arms.




In the early 18th century, Maharaja Suraj Mal captured the fort of Bharatpur by vanquishing Khemkaran, the rival chieftain and laid the foundation for Bharatpur. The valiant Maharaja was very keen to expand the cities and is credited with building the numerous forts and palaces that dot the kingdom, including the Pleasure Palace Complex at Deeg.

Bharatpur is also home to one of the world's best-known bird watching destinations, Keoladeo Ghana National Park (KNP). 250 years ago, the then ruler built embankments that allowed flooding of this land, turning it into a marsh. Named after the dense jungle that surrounded an old Shiva Temple, this 29 square kilometre man-made wetland is renowned for migratory birds – ducks, geese, waders, raptors, flycatchers and more. In winter, avid birders and ornithologists flock to the park to observe and study the feathered beauties. With more than 370 recorded species, KNP used to also host the Siberian crane. It is a World Heritage Site.

Places to Visit in Bharatpur :



KEOLADEO GHANA NATIONAL PARK
Every year, thousands of migratory waterfowl birds such as green sandpiper and cranes visit the park during winter. It was created in mid 18th century as a small reservoir located 5 kilometres to the southeast of Bharatpur. The construction of the Ajan Bund (dam) and the subsequent flooding of this natural depression led to one of the world’s most fascinating and spectacular bird reserves. The Keoladeo Ghana National Park is considered to be one of the richest bird areas in the world today.







DEEG
Deeg is a beautiful garden town situated north of Bharatpur. It has many embellished palaces that add to the beauty of the place. Known for its forts, palaces, gardens and fountains, the highlight of Deeg is an impressive fort surrounded by moats and gateways. It was built by Raja Suraj Mal and stands over a slightly elevated point. Although the interiors are almost in ruins, the watch tower containing a gun still maintains watch over the city







LOHAGARH FORT
True to its name, Lohagarh Fort has withstood many attacks by the British, but was ultimately captured by Arthur Wellesley. Where Lohagarh Fort differs from others is that it is not flamboyant, but radiates an aura of rugged strength. The fort is surrounded by a moat which used to be filled with water to keep enemies out. Interesting monuments inside the fort are Kothi Khas, Mahal Khas, Moti Mahal and Kishori Mahal. Raja Suraj Mal built Jawahar Bhurj and Fateh Bhurj to commemorate victories over the Mughals and the British.








BHARATPUR PALACE AND MUSEUM
Located within the premises of the Bharatpur Palace is Kamra Khas, a museum that contains a vast number of antiques, over 581 stone sculptures, 861 local art and craft wares and ancient scriptures that depict the art and culture typical of Bharatpur. The palace itself was built in stages by various Maharajas and is a fine fusion of Mughal and Rajput architecture. The various apartments in the palace have a variety of richly patterned floor tiles decorated with exquisite designs.








GANGA MANDIR
The Ganga Mandir, which resides in the heart of the city of Bharatpur is one of the most beautiful temples in Rajasthan. In it lies the magnificent deity of Ganga Maharaj made of pristine white marble. Maharaja Balwant Singh started constructing this temple in the mid-19th century. However, he had a very unique request that required all the affluent inhabitants of the city to donate one month’s pay to help towards the temple’s creation.







LAXMAN MANDIR
This temple is dedicated to Laxman, brother of Lord Rama, and is famous for its typical Rajasthani style of architecture and beautiful pink stonework. Visitors will enjoy the intricate carvings of flowers and birds on doorways, ceilings, pillars, walls and arches.






BAND BARETHA
Band Baretha is an old wildlife reserve of the rulers of Bharatpur, currently under the administration of the Forest Department. The construction of the dam on Kakund River was started by Maharaj Jaswant Singh in 1866 AD and completed by Maharaj Ram Singh in 1897 AD. The palace inside the reserve was built by Maharaj Kishan Singh and is the private property of the Bharatpur royal family. Band Baretha is a bird watcher’s paradise because of over 200 species of birds, including the elusive Black Bittern.








KAMAN
The locals also know Kaman as Kamaban. This old town is located at the north of Bharatpur and is a part of the Brij area where Lord Krishna spent his early years. It is a place of pilgrimage and is annually visited by a large number of Vaishnavs in the month of Bhadhva as a part of the Banyatara. The ruins of a temple / mosque consisting of 84 pillars named Chaurasi Khamba are the main attraction.








DHOLPUR PALACE
The Dholpur Palace, renowned across the country for its locally quarried sandstone, originally belonged to the Rajputana kingdom. This famous red stone was widely used in construction of spectacular forts and palaces as a mark of protection around the widely spread dominion. The palace’s classic exteriors and rich heritage is alluring to the onlookers and invites them for a journey of its vibrant history.





Festivals of Bharatpur :



BRAJ HOLI FESTIVAL
The Braj festival in Rajasthan is held every year for two days in the Shukla Paksha of the Phalgun month, a few days prior to Holi. This festival is dedicated to Lord Krishna who is believed to have spent a considerable amount of time in a region called Braj in Rajasthan. This festival not only replicates the spirit of Holi but also impersonates the timeless love of Radha and Krishna. The highlight of this festival is the Raslila dance performed with great zest and unity. The entire town is painted and no one is spared from being splashed with colours.






How to reach to Bharatpur :

• The closest airport is Agra and is about 56 kms away.
• A network of buses links Bharatpur with several cities within and outside the State.
• Bharatpur is on the Delhi-Mumbai broad gauge line. It is well-connected to Sawai Madhopur, Kota and Agra.

Read More

UDAIPUR - OF LAKES, AND LAKE PALACES

Often referred to as the ‘Venice of the East’, the lake city of Udaipur is known as the centre for performing arts and crafts. The famous Lake Palace, located bang in the middle of Lake Pichola is easily one of the most beautiful sights of Udaipur. Udaipur is also home to Jaisamand Lake, the largest artificial lake in Asia. The beautiful City Palace and Sajjan Garh (Monsoon Palace) add to the architectural beauty and grandeur of the city. The city is also known for its profusion of zinc and copper mines. The solar observatory in Udaipur is known as one of the best in Asia and has been modelled after the Solar Observatory at Big Bear Lake in Southern California. Udaipur is also renowned for is miniature paintings. The Shilpgram festival, held sometime around the New Year manages to pull in great crowds of people interested in arts and crafts.

Udaipur was founded in 1559 by Maharana Udai Singh II as a new capital of the Mewar kingdom. It is located in the fertile, circular Girwa Valley to the southwest of Nagda, which was the first capital of Mewar. Until Udaipur was built, the capital of Mewar was Ahar, a flourishing trade town.

ATTRACTIONS & PLACES TO VISIT AND EXPLORE IN UDAIPUR

LAKE PALACE

Now a hotel, The Lake Palace was originally called Jag Niwas Palace and served as a summer palace. Built between 1743 and 1746 on the island near Jagmandir Palace in Lake Pichola, the palace, which faces east, is a wondrous sight to behold. The walls made of black and white marbles are adorned by semi-precious stones and ornamented niches. Gardens, fountains, pillared terraces and columns line its courtyards.

JAG MANDIR

Jag Mandir is a palace built on an island on the Lake Pichola. Also called the ‘Lake Garden Palace’, the construction for this began in 1551 and was completed around 1652. The royal family used the palace as its summer resort and for hosting parties. Interestingly, Prince Khurram - later Emperor Shah Jahan - was given shelter here when he rebelled against his father Emperor Jahangir. The palace had such an impact on Emperor Shah Jahan that it went on to become the inspiration for one of the most magnificent Wonders of the World, the Taj Mahal.




MONSOON PALACE

Situated just outside Udaipur, this 19th century palace is built on top of Bansdara Mountain. Used as a monsoon palace and hunting lodge, its builder, Maharana Sajjan Singh, originally planned to make it an astronomical centre. The plan was cancelled with Maharana Sajjan Singh's premature death. It is still an awe-inspiring sight on the Udaipur skyline and offers spectacular views of the city and the areas around.

AHAR MUSEUM

Ahar Museum is in close proximity to an impressive cluster of cenotaphs of the Maharanas of Mewar. The museum has a small, but rare collection of earthen pottery. You can also browse through sculptures and archaeological finds, a few dating back to 1700 BC. A 10th century metal figure of Buddha is a special attraction here.

JAGDISH TEMPLE

An example of the Indo-Aryan style of architecture, Jagdish Temple was built in 1651 and continues to be one of the most famous temples in Udaipur. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the structure is an architectural marvel with carved pillars, graceful ceilings and painted walls. This three-storied temple was built by Maharana Jagat Singh.

DEEN DAYAL UPADHYAY PARK

For an evening out, the Deen Dayal Upadhyay Park is a great destination. This beautiful garden is built around Doodh Talai and provides a spectacular view of Jag Mandir, Lake Palace, Lake Pichola and City Palace. Musical fountains, a ropeway to the Karni Mata Temple and a sunset spot complete the outing.

FATEH SAGAR LAKE

This delightful lake, bordered by hills and woodlands, lies to the north of Lake Pichola. This artificial lake is connected to Lake Pichola by a canal. The lake houses the beautiful Nehru Island as well as an islet on which stands the Udaipur Solar Observatory. It was inaugurated by the Duke of Connaught and was initially called Connaught Bundh.

LAKE PICHOLA

Pichola was the name of a village that was submerged and lent its name to the lake when it was expanded. The islands of Jag Niwas and Jag Mandir as housed in this lake. Along the eastern banks of the lake lies the City Palace. A boat ride in the lake around sunset offers a breathtaking view of the Lake and City Palaces.

SAHELIYON KI BARI

Built by Rana Sangram Singh as a garden for women, Saheliyo-ki-Bari or the Courtyard of the Maidens is a popular tourist destination. Along with a small museum, it has several attractions such as marble elephants, fountains, kiosks and a lotus pool.

GULAB BAGH AND ZOO

Gulab Bagh (Sajjan Niwas Garden) is the largest garden in Udaipur. Spread over 100 acres, the garden proudly displays innumerable species of roses, from which it also gets its name.

SUKHADIA CIRCLE

Sukhadia Circle lies to the north of Udaipur. It comprises a small pond that also houses a 21 foot tall, three-tiered marble fountain. Decorated with beautifully carved motifs, the fountain looks spectacular at night when it is lit up. The fountain is surrounded by gardens, creating a perfect oasis in a city bustling with tourists.

BHARATIYA LOK KALA MANDAL

Dedicated to the study of folk art, culture, songs and festivals of Rajasthan, Gujrat and Madhya Pradesh, Bharatiya Lok Kala Mandal is a cultural institution in Udaipur. Besides propagating folk culture, it also houses a museum that exhibits various artefacts of Rajasthani culture.

BAGORE KI HAVELI

Bagore-ki-Haveli is located by Lake Pichola, at Gangaur Ghat. Amar Chand Badwa, the Prime Minister of Mewar, built it in the 18th century. The massive palace has over a hundred rooms that display costumes and modern art. The glass and mirrors in the interiors are structured in classical haveli style.

SHILPGRAM

Situated 7 kms west of Udaipur near Lake Fateh Sagar is the Centre's Shilpgram - the Rural Arts and Crafts Complex. Spread over 70 acres, and surrounded by the Aravallis, the Rural Arts and Crafts Complex has been conceived as a living museum to depict the lifestyles of the folk and tribal people of the west zone.

UDAIPUR SOLAR OBSERVATORY

The Udaipur Solar Observatory is built on an island in the Fateh Sagar Lake. Being surrounded by water reduces air turbulence caused by ground heat and makes the location perfect for an observatory. It is modelled after the Solar Observatory at Big Bear Lake in Southern California.

UDAI SAGAR LAKE

Udai Sagar Lake is one of the five striking lakes situated in Udaipur. Located about 13 kilometres to the east of Udaipur, the construction of this lake was started in 1559 by Maharana Udai Singh. The lake is actually a result of a dam being built on the river Berach to supply adequate water to the Maharana’s kingdom. Udai Sagar Lake is 4 kms in length, 2.5 kilometres in width and about 9 meters at its deepest.

HALDIGHATI

Haldighati is a famed mountain pass in the hills of the Aravalli Range. The pass, about 40 kilometres from Udaipur, connects the districts of Rajsamand and Pali. The pass gets its name from the yellow-coloured soil of the region (turmeric is called haldi in Hindi).

DOODH TALAI LAKE

The road that takes visitors to Pichola Lake has another popular destination – the Doodh Talai Lake. The lake is nestled between several small hillocks which themselves are tourist attractions. The Deen Dayal Upadhyay Park and the Manikya Lal Verma Garden are part of the Doodh Talai Lake Garden.

JAISAMAND LAKE

Jaisamand Lake is known for being the second largest man-made sweet water lake in Asia. It is popular among the locals as a weekend picnic destination. Locals say that the lake was constructed to halt the waters of Ruparel River. This lake boasts of a large island, which is home to various species of birds, at its centre.

HOW TO REACH HERE

• 
  
• Dabok Airport, also known as Maharana Pratap Airport is the closest at about 25 km northeast of the city centre. There are daily flights from Delhi and Mumbai on Jet Airways, Air India and SpiceJet.
• Udaipur is easily accessible by road from every major destination in India, including Chittorgarh, Ahmedabad, Jodhpur, Ajmer, Sawai Madhopur / Ranthambore, Jaipur, Bikaner, Agra, Delhi, Mumbai and Khajuraho.
• Udaipur is connected by rail to several major cities in India including Chittorgarh, Ahmedabad, Ajmer, Sawai Madhopur, Jaipur, Agra, Delhi, Mumbai and Khajuraho.

Read More

The Sun City Jodhpur

The Sun City Jodhpur was founded by Rao Jodha, a chief of the Rathore clan, in 1459. Jodhpur is also known as Marwar which is the biggest Riyasat ( King-dome) of Rajasthan. Sun City Jodhpur is also the second largest city of Rajasthan. In Present Maharaja Gaj Singh own the throne of Marwar Riyasat. Now the city is divided into two part one is the old Jodhpur which surrounded by 10 km long wall which has eight entrance and New city is outside the walls.


Jodhpur’s founder

The city of Jodhpur was founded in 1459 AD by Rao Jodha, the chief of the Rajput clan. The city has got its name from him only. Rao Jodha successfully conquered the surrounding territory of present-day Jodhpur and founded a state called Marwar. Initially, Mandore, the nearby town from where Jodha came from, served as the capital of the Marwar kingdom. However, soon Jodhpur took over and became the capital of Marwar.

Statue of Rao Jodha, the founder of Jodhpur

The city’s location facilitated trade

Jodhpur was located on the strategic road, which linked Delhi to Gujarat. This location made Jodhpur profit from flourishing trade in different goods such as opium, copper, silk, sandals, date palms and coffee.

Jodhpur flourished under Mughals

In its early history, Jodhpur came under the Mughal Empire as a fief, where the Rajput rulers led the state but they owed fealty to the Mughals. The Rathores of Jodhpur enjoyed good relations will all Mughals, except Aurangzeb. Because of their good terms with the Mughals, the state flourished. Jodhpur also gave Mughals several notable generals such as Maharaja Jaswant Singh, who supported Shahjahan in his struggle for succession to the throne. This also opened opportunities for local tradesmen to trade across northern India.

A rare photograph of the Mehrangarh Fort

In 1679, Mughal ruler Aurangzeb took possession of the state. But after the death of Aurangzeb in 1707, the rightful Rajput ruler Maharaja Ajit Singh was restored to the throne of Jodhpur by Veer Durgadas Rathore. However, the story of a great struggle of 30 years lies behind it. Jodhpur grew into a fine modern city under the reign of Maharaja Umed Singh.

Collapse of the Mughal Empire

Soon after the death of Aurangzeb in 1707, the Mughal empire started collapsing gradually. Jodhpur rulers should have benefitted from the decline of the Mughal empire but they rather goth into conflicts of disagreement and invited the intervention of the Marathas. As a result, the Marathas soon superseded and replaced the Mughals and gained great power over the whole region. This was followed by 50 years of wars and treaties that totally abandoned the peace, atability and wealth of the state.

Jodhpur during the British Raj

The princely state of Jodhpur then fell into subsidiary alliance with the British in the year 1818. This was the beginning of a good time for the Jodhpur state, which had the largest land area in Rajputana during British Raj. The state flourished in peace and stability with lots of good trade. Jodhpur had a total land area of 23,543 sq mi (60,980 km2) and its population in 1901 was recorded to be 44,73,759.

Trade flourished so much that the state enjoyed earning an estimated revenue of £35,29,000. The Marwari merchants and traders gained name and a position of dominance in trade across all of India.

Jodhpur in Independent India

At the time of partition in 1947, Jodhpur’s ruler Hanwant Singh didn’t want to join the union of India. But Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who was the then Home Minister at the center, convinced Jodhpur ruler to join India. The princely state of Jodhpur was thus merged into the union of India. It was made part of the state of Rajasthan after State Recognition Act, 1956. And that’s how Jodhpur became the second largest city of Rajasthan, India.

Read More