Timangarh Fort, Karaulit, situated at a desolate location near Masalpur sub tehsil headquarters about 40 kms from Karauli, is famous as a storehouse of ancient ashtadhatu and stone idols and sculptures, hidden underground near the various temples located inside the Fort complex. The beautiful carvings on the temples, both religious and geometrical, are striking proof of the exquisite workmanship of highly skilled artisans that once operated in this region.
Mixed Iron-Metal pellets abound on the nearby hillocks, and give pointers about this area having been a nerve center of metal idol- and weapon- making in its heydays. The Fort also offers a beautiful view of the Sagar lake next to it, and villagers still cherish hopes of the day when they can find the paras stone believed to be somewhere at the bottom of the lake.
History of Timangarh Fort :
It was built by Timan or Tisman, a powerful Ror ruler of 2nd Century A.D. who ruled over present day Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh. It is believed to have been occupied by the forces of Mohammad Ghori, the Sultan of Ghazni from 1196-1244 A.D. It was reconstructed in 1244 A.D. by Yaduvanshi Raja Timanpal, the scion of Vijay Pal, the Raja of Bayana. This fact has been supported by a stone engraving at the entrance of the Fort.
Architecture of Timangarh Fort :
The beautiful carvings on the temples of the Timangarh Fort have both religious and geometrical fervor. This fort has a striking proof of the exquisite workmanship of highly skilled artisans that once operated in this region.
The Timangarh Fort is originally believed to have had five entrances but some more gates were apparently added later by the rulers of Mughal Dynasty. The later gates were the additions. They are apparent from the way where some carved blocks from deep inside the fort have been used in the construction of the gate at the main entrance to the Fort, along with plain-faced stone blocks of different colours and variety. The Fort is thus believed to have been under occupation of Mohammad Ghori’s forces from 1196 to 1244 AD after the Second Battle of Tarain.
The entrances at the Fort bear the markings of Mughal construction. One can see some carved stone slabs with writings on them at the main entrance, in stark contrast to the simple plain faced stone slabs used elsewhere in its construction Rajasthan Budget Tours.
The interiors of the fort were not touched by the Mughals. One can still see the remains of an ancient township, complete with palaces, temples, bazaars, and houses in the area. Some of the most exquisite ancient carvings are geometrical, flower- patterned and religious. They adorn their rooftops and pillars.
The Gods, Goddesses and their villainous and tantric counterparts adorn these pillars, though most of them have now been broken up and plundered by the smuggler gangs operating in the region. Idols are of stone sculpture and ashtadhatu statues studded with gems. The idols are from all religious groups- Jains, Buddhist and Hindu. It has been heard that the astadhatu idols of Lord Ganesha and Lord Vishnuwere the favourite subjects of the sculptors.
Almost seven hundred years back, the pillars of some of the temples and houses were apparently lined with simple bricks and converted into bunker like closed structures. Inside these buildings there were a number of expensive ashtadhatu idols brought from various parts of Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh and other parts of North India, to save the idols from plunderers.
Timangarh Fort also offers a beautiful view of the Sagar lake, and the local villagers still cherish the hopes of that day, when they can find the “Paras” stone believed to be somewhere at the bottom of the lake.
Major Attractions in and Around Karauli
- Karauli City Palace
This palace was built in the 14th century by King Arjun Pal; however, it was reconstructed in the 18th century by Raja Gopal Singh. This is a beautiful palace which was built by using red, white as well as off-white stones. For any history lover, Karauli city palace is a must-visit place.
- Mehandipur Balaji Temple
Dedicated to Lord Hanuman, this temple is one of the most amazing spiritual retreats to visit in Karauli. Many believe that the temple also carries incredible healing capabilities. Perhaps, it is owing to this fact that hundreds of devotees flock here annually in search of salvation and divine healing from the Lord himself.
- Karauli Cattle Fair
Organized on the occasion of Maha Shivaratri, one can see thousands of cattle join in for competitions which are a source of great fun and entertainment for the people. Interestingly, the best cattle in the fair is also awarded prizes. Apart from the cattle, people also participate in the merriment by singing and dancing around. In total, the Karauli cattle fair is truly one of the most vivid and colourful fairs of Rajasthan.
- Timangarh Fort
This fort was built in the 12th century by King Timanpal. What attracts the tourists here mostly is its mysterious vibe. Many people believe that the temple here has several idols and sculptures hidden under the complex. Why are they hidden like that, no one knows and can only predict and form a thesis around it. So, if you are a fan of mystery and thrill, then it would be a great travel experience to visit the Timangarh Fort.
How to Reach Karauli
To reach Karauli, you will need to cover a total distance of about 328, 1,171, 1,449, 1,984 km from Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru respectively. Here are the details on how you can reach Karauli by the following means of public transport.
By Air : The nearest airport is the Jaipur Airport (JAI) situated 150-200 km away. The airport has very good flight connectivity with other Indian cities and towns. It handles all the flight arrivals and departures with great tenacity. From the airport, you can easily book a taxi or some other means of transportation like a bus to reach here.
By Train : Hindaun City and Gangapur Railway Station connect Karauli with other Indian cities. Both the stations have fairly good train connectivity and are located within 50 km radius of Karauli. Once you get off the train, book a taxi to reach your destination.
By Road : Depending on your location, you can also consider travelling via roadways which are easily accessible and well-maintained. You can choose to travel to Karauli via state-run/private buses at affordable rates, book taxis or if you prefer travelling at your own pace without any hassle then prefer taking your own vehicle.