HISTORY OF Ajabgarh and Bhangarh Alwar Rajasthan

HISTORY OF AJABGARH AND BHANGARH

                                   

Ajabgarh & Bhangarh  is a ruined town in the Alwar district of the state of Rajasthan, India, most famous for its historical ruins. It is said to be a haunted place. Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has put up a signboard by the main gate stating (among others): "Entering the borders of Bhangarh before sunrise and after sunset is strictly prohibited." The reason for this may be that there can be wild animals and it could be unsafe because there is no artificial lighting. Bhangarh is at the edge of the Sariska Tiger Reserve.

Bhangarh is a place between Jaipur and Delhi in Rajasthan state of India. Bhangarh is known for its ruins, but still worth a visit; the place is beautiful and tranquil. What remains though, is a shadow of a once beautiful kingdom.

Passing by Bhangarh, banyans and temples dot the landscape and one chhatri can be seen up on the hill. The most remarkable are the temples of Gopinath, Shiva (Someshwar), Mangla Devi and Keshava Rai. Other more or less preserved buildings are e.g. shops along the main road, several havelis, a mosque, and a palace. The palace was protected by two inner fortifications across the valley. The town is separated from the plain by ramparts with five gates. Bhangarh is also a pre-historic site.

This town was established in 1573 (VS 1631) during the rule of Raja Bhagwant Das as the residence of his second son Madho Singh. Madho Singh was younger brother of Emperor Akbar’s General Man Singh I of Amber. Madho Singh participated in many campaigns with his father and brother. The next ruler of Bhangarh was his son Chhatr Singh. Bhangarh slowly declined after Chhatr Singh's violent death in 1630. Near Ajabgarh was founded by Ajab Singh, the son of Chhatr Singh. When Mughal Empire became weaker after the death of Aurangzeb, Jai Singh II attached Bhangarh to his state by force in 1720. After this Bhangarh diminished in population, and when the famine of 1783   fell on the land the town was abandoned, and has remained a ruin ever since.

It is said that the city of Bhangarh was cursed by the Guru Balu Nath, causing the towns evacuation. Balu Nath sanctioned the establishment of the town but said: "The moment the shadows of your palaces touch me, the city shall be no more!" Ignorant of such foreboding, one ambitious descendant raised the palace to such a height that its shadowed Balu Nath's forbidden retreat and thus the town was devastated as prophesied. The small samādhi where Balu Nath is said to lie buried is still there.

The other myth is as follows: The charm of princess of Bhangarh Ratnavati was said to be matchless in all of Rajasthan. Being eighteen years old, the princess started getting matrimonial offers from other states. In the same region there lived a tantrik, a magician well versed in the occult, named Singhia who was desperately in love with the princess knowing that he would never be allowed to even see her, let alone meet her. One day, he saw the princess' maid in the market buying scented oil for her. Seeing this, he got an idea by which he could meet the princess. He used his black magic and put a spell on the oil which would hypnotize the princess by her merely touching the oil, and she would surrender herself. The princess foiled this plan though. She had seen the tantrik enchanting the oil, and she therefore threw it away, whereupon the flagon rolled over a stone. As soon as the oil touched the stone, it started rolling towards the wicked tantrik and crushed him. While dying, Singhia cursed the palace with the death of all who dwelt in it, without any rebirth in their destinies. The very next year there.

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Sunset Point Mount Abu Rajasthan

Top Most Attractions in Mount Abu

Dilwara temples :- The Dilwara temples of India are located about 2½ kilometres from Mount Abu, Rajasthan's only hill station. These Jain temples were built by Vastapul Tejpal , a Jain laymen between the 11th and 13th centuries AD and are world-famous for their stunning use of marble. The five legendary marble temples of Dilwara are a sacred pilgrimage place of the Jains. Some consider them to be one of the most beautiful Jain pilgrimage sites in the world. The marble temples have an opulent entranceway, the simplicity in architecture reflecting Jain values like honesty and frugality. The temples are in the midst of a range of forested hills. A high wall shrouds the temple complex.  Although the Jains built some beautiful temples at other places in Rajasthan, some believe that none come close to these in terms of architectural perfection. The ornamental detail spreading over the minutely carved ceilings, doorways, pillars and panels is simply marvellous.  Facilities are available for bathing, which is mandatory before puja is performed for the idols. These facilities use passive solar power to heat up the water for bathing and other things. Guided tour hours for tourists are posted outside the temple.

Guru Shikhar :- Guru Shikhar Peak is the highest mount peak in the Aravalli region and is at a distance of 15 km from Mount Abu. It is situated at a height of 1722 meters. Travellers can enjoy a bird view of the entire Aravalli range of mountains, from the top of this mountain peak. Temple of Dattatreya is one of the main attraction at Guru Shikhar peak other than scenic views. Dattatreya is known to be the incarnation of Lord Vishnu. A huge bell suspended from a wooden frame having an incription of 1411 AD can be seen at the entrance of the temple. This peak also named after Guru Dattatreya and a rock in a cave also sanctified his footprints. Nearby temple of Guru Dattatreya’s mother is also a major attraction for devotees. Located at 14 km from Mount Abu city one can travel to Guru Shikhar by taking Guru Shikhar Rd after Oriya Rd. Just a half a kilometer distance there is an Gurushikhar visible-Infrared Observatory which in-houses a 1.2 m infrared telescope. Here astronomical experiments continously takes place.

Achalgarh Fort :- Achalgarh fort situated about 11 kilometers north of Mount Abu, the only hill station in Rajasthan. The fort was originally built by the Paramara dynasty rulers and rebuilt, modernized and named as Achalgarh by Maharana Kumbha in 1452 one of the several forts built during his period in the rule. Achalgarh fort area is entirely surrounded by Mount Abu which is one of the most popular hill stations of North India. It is situated in the mostly desert state of Rajasthan and is often denoted by as an Oasis in the Desert. The Achalgarh Fort was renovated and fortified by Maharaja Kumbha to escape pillagers. The Achaleswar Mahadeva Temple is nearby where a toe of Lord Shiva is worshipped. You can find some Jain Temples inside the fort. The fort is in a run-down condition now. The first gate of the fort is known as Hanumanpol, which served as the entrance to the lower fort. It comprises two towers built of large blocks of grey granite. After some ascent, stands Champa pol, the second gate of the fort, which served as the entrance to the inner fort. The decayed Achalgarh fort is indeed a great architectural delight.There are some features of historical and religious importance in and around the fort.

Nakki Lake :- Nakki Lake in Mount Abu truly defines romance in Rajasthan. Named as Love Lake of Mount Abu, it is also a largest manmade lake at the height of 11,000 meters in India. It is also a sacred lake for the Garacia tribe of Rajasthan and at the time of their festival in Shukla paksha which falls in April month it is the place of worship and remembrance of their ancestors. People consecrate their nails in the lake on this festival. It is the reason for naming of this lake as 'Nakki'.

Sunset Point :- Lying south west of Nakki Lake, Sunset point is one of the most popular viewpoints in Mount Abu. This viewpoint gets thronged by tourists from all around at the time of sunset. Enjoy the site of orange-colored sun setting behind the Aravali Ranges. Serene surrounding and a pleasant climate make the experience even more memorable. Treat your eyes to the picturesque views of the surrounding area including villages and green valley’s while the sun is setting down. After enjoying a nice sunset view, you can shop for souvenirs from the shops near the point. Get your hands on trinkets, wooden toys, marble statues, sandalwood idols and other knick-knacks.

Honeymoon Point :- A visit to Honeymoon Point can also be combined with other tourist attractions across the city. With its delectable cuisines, and opportunities to explore the surrounding areas, Mount Abu is perfectly poised to offer an experience that is both, authentic as well as unique! There are many ideal locations to visit in and around this wonderful city, with prominent local landmarks and favorable restaurants being just a few examples. Make a trip to Mount Abu and its exciting places of interest to enjoy a memorable vacation. A visit to Honeymoon Point will give you a greater insight into the various cultures and traditions of Mount Abu . If you are planning a vacation in Mount Abu, then you must go visit Honeymoon Point. It is an intrinsic part of the socio-cultural landscape and hence, offers an insightful peek into life, as it exists in Mount Abu .

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Top most attractions in Kumbhalgarh

Top most attractions in Kumbhalgarh

Kumbhalgarhis mostly preferred by travellers from all over the world. The go to destination for types of travelers, be it family, kids and couples, Kumbhalgarh is, however, mostly preferred by Group, Couple. The best season or months to visit places in Kumbhalgarh are February, March, October, November, December. There are many tourist places in Kumbhalgarh, which can be explored by travelers. Local attractions can be visited at any time of the day, be it early morning, afternoon, evening or night, as suitable for travelers. Sightseeing in Kumbhalgarh can be done by travelers, which will take half a day or one day, but to see all sightseeing places

Kumbhalgarh fort – Kumbhalgarh Fort is a Mewar fort built on the Aravalli Hills, in the Rajsamand District of Rajasthan. Kumbhalgarh is the birthplace of Maharana Pratap, the great king and warrior of Mewar. The fort was constructed and expanded in the course of the 15-19th century by Rana Kumbha. Occupied until the late 19th century, the fort is now open to the public and is spectacularly lit for a few minutes each evening. The Kumbhalgarh fort is the second largest wall in the world after the Great Wall of China. It was constructed by Rana Kumbha between 1443-1458 A.D. The fort has ten gates and several temples dedicated to Hindu and Jain God. The Kumbhalgarh Fort is an unparalleled fort in the state of Rajasthan owing to its strategic location on the Aravalli, and the strong fortification wall built around it.

Badal Mahal –  Badal Mahal is also a part of the main fort. It is divided in two sections: Zanana and Mardana Halls for ladies and men respectively. The architecture of both these sections is astounding. Also, the view of the surrounding area from the top of the tower is spellbinding.

Neelkanth Mahadeo Temple – Neelkanth Mahadeo Temple is within the fort vicinity. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva whose 6 feet Lingam is in the temple. This deity is one of the very few ones being worshipped and maintained by the locals. The fort is full of stories about the king, the temple and various chambers which keep tourist mesmerized and lost in time.

Kumbhalgarh Wild Life Century –  Kumbhalgarh wildlife sanctuary is a surprise spot for those that perceive Rajasthan as merely a desert. It spreads over an area of about 600 sq km from both eastwards and southwards. Earlier it was the hunting ground of royals but in 1971 it was declared as a wildlife sanctuary. It acts as a dividing belt between two cities Mewar and Marwar. The sanctuary is said to be the home of chausinghas (four-horned antelopes), leopards, panthers and sloth bears. The sanctuary encircles the fort of Kumbhalgarh after which it was named. It is the only place where wolf breeding is taken seriously. The place has high hills that are Aravalli hills and also has one river valley which adds to the beauty of the sanctuary. The best time to visit the sanctuary is the monsoon season as it shines with the greenery.

Mammadev Temple – Neelkanth Mahadeo Temple is within the fort vicinity. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva whose 6 feet Lingam is in the temple. This deity is one of the very few ones being worshipped and maintained by the locals. The fort is full of stories about the king, the temple and various chambers which keep tourist mesmerized and lost in time.

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National Tiger Reserve Sariska Rajasthan

National Tiger Reserve Sariska Rajasthan

 

Sariska Tiger Reserve is a national park and tiger reserve located in Alwar district of the state of Rajasthan, India. It stretches over an area of 866 km2   comprising scrub-thorn arid forests, dry deciduous forests, grasslands, and rocky hills. This area was a hunting preserve of the Alwar state and was declared a wildlife reserve in 1955. It was given the status of a tiger reserve making it a part of India's Project Tiger in 1978. The wildlife sanctuary was declared a national park in 1990, with a total area of about 273.8 km2 It is the first reserve in the world to have successfully relocated tigers.

Tiger Population in Sariska

In 2003, 16 tigers lived in the reserve. In 2004, it was reported that no Bengal tigers were sighted in the reserve, and that no indirect evidence of tiger presence was found such as pug marks, scratch marks on trees, scats. The Rajasthan Forest Department explained that "the tigers had temporarily migrated outside the reserve and would be back after monsoon season". Project Tiger, now National Tiger Conservation Authority   backed this assumption. In January 2005, it was reported that there were no tigers left in Sariska. The Rajasthan Forest Department and the Project Tiger Director declared an "emergency tiger census" in Sariska. The Central Bureau of Investigation, India's intelligence agency, conducted a probe. After a two-month investigation, the agency finally declared that no tigers were left in the reserve. Poaching was blamed for the disappearance of tigers. In order to repopulate Sariska with tigers, three tigers were relocated to the reserve, and authorities planned to relocate two more tigers by the end of the following year. Recently  two tiger cubs and their mother were spotted in the reserve bringing the total number of tigers to seven with five adults. In July 2014, two more cubs were spotted, so that there were 11 tigers in total. Two more cubs were sighted in August 2014, so that the population increased to 13 individuals.
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Historical Place Albert Hall Museum In Jaipur Rajasthn

Albert Hall Museum is a museum located in Jaipur district of Rajasthan state of India. This is the oldest museum in Rajasthan. This museum is in front of the new door of the CT wall on the outside of "Rama Niwas Garden". This is a building built in "Indo-Arabic Style". It was designed by Sir Samuel Swinton Jacob and it was opened in 1887 as a public museum.

Maharaja Ram Singh wanted that it be made a Town Hall, but "Madho Singh II decided that it should be made a museum of art for Jaipur and it is considered to be part of the Ram Niwas garden. It is also known as "Government Central Museum". This museum offers many old paintings, old paintings, elephant teeth, precious stone, metal, statues and many other objects.

When the foundation stone of Albert Hall was laid during the visit of the Prince of Wales, Albert Edward to Jaipur in 1876, it had yet to be determined what use it would be put to. There were some suggestions about cultural or educational use or as a town hall. However in 1880 Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh II approved a suggestion by Dr. Thomas Holbein Hendley, Resident Surgeon  to open a museum of Industrial Arts to display products of local craftsmen. A small museum was created in 1881 in temporary accommodation and proved most popular. Additionally, Hendley in 1883 mounted a Jaipur Exhibition at Naya Mahal (old Vidhan Sabha). The purpose of these exercises was to acquaint local craftsmen with the best examples of art work and handicrafts of India to inspire them to improve their skills, thereby protecting and preserving traditional art and reviving skills, while providing greater employment for artisans. It was also the intention that the display would help to educate youth in a wide variety of fields, entertain and inform the people of Jaipur.

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