City Palace Udaipur :- 

The majestic white City Palace located in the heart of Udaipur, was originally built by Maharana Udai Singh of the Sisodia Rajput clan and extended to its present form by subsequent Maharanas. Built in granite and marble and surrounded by crenellated fort walls, the largest palace complex in Rajasthan stands on a crest overlooking the Pichola Lake.

Maharana Uday Singh initiated in the construction of the palace but succeeding Maharanas added several palaces and structures to the complex retained a surprising uniformity to the design. The entry to the Palace is from the Hati Pol, the Elephant gate. The Bari Pol or the Big gate brings you to the Tripolia, the Triple gate.

It was once a custom that the Maharana would weigh under this gate in gold and silver, which was distributed to the populace. It is also now the main ticket office. Balconies, cupolas and towers surmount the palace to give a wonderful view of the lake.

Suraj Gokhada or the balcony of the sun is where the Maharana would grant public audiences mainly to boost the morale of the people in difficult times. The Mor Chawk is the peacock square and gains its name from the vivid blue mosaic in glass of a peacock that decorates its walls.

The main part of the palace is now preserved as a museum displaying a large and diverse array of artefacts. Down steps from the entrance is the armoury museum exhibiting a huge collection of protective gear, weapons including the lethal two-pronged sword.

The City Palace museum is then entered through the Ganesh Deori meaning the door of Lord Ganesh. This leads to the Rajya Angan, the royal courtyard that is the very spot where Maharana Udai Singh met the sage who told him to find a city here.

The rooms of the palace are superbly decorated with mirror tiles and paintings. Manak Mahal or the Ruby Palace has a lovely collection of glass and mirror work while Krishna Vilas display a rich collection of miniature paintings. Moti Mahal or the pearl palace has beautiful mirror work and the Chini Mahal has ornamental tiles all over.

The Surya Chopar or the sun square depicts a huge ornamental sun symbolising the sun dynasty to which the Mewar dynasty belongs. The Bari Mahal is a central garden with view of the city. Some more beautiful paintings can be seen in the Zanana Mahal or the ladies chamber, which leads to Lakshmi Chowk a beautiful white pavilion.

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Celebration of Maha Shivaratri :-

The state of Rajasthan is always a great attraction for tourists. Colorful ambiance of the place along with the variety of tourist attractions makes it one of the most sought after tourist destinations in the world. The various fairs and festivals celebrated in Rajasthan also add to the state’s attraction. Mahashivaratri is one of the most popular festivals in Rajasthan. This festival bears further significance as it is devoted to Lord Shiva who is one of the most important Gods of Hindu religions.

Shivaratri literally means the great night of Shiva or the night of Shiva. On the auspicious day, devotees observe fast and keep vigil all night. Mahashivaratri marks the night when Lord Shiva performed the ‘Tandava’. It is also believed that on this day Lord Shiva was married to Ma Parvati. Mahashivartri is one of the most popular festivals in Rajasthan. This festival bears further significance as it is devoted to Lord Shiva who is one of the three main gods of Hindu Mythology.

Mahashivaratri is celebrated with a lot of fanfare in Rajasthan. A large number of devotees follow strict fast on the day. They also believe that an earnest and honest celebration of the festival will give them a respite from all their sins. This festival is mostly celebrated by women of the Hindu community. After fasting for the whole day, they devotedly pray to the God. Married women perform these rituals for the well being of their husbands. Unmarried girls perform these rituals to get the best husband like Lord Shiva.

In 2018 Mahashivaratri which will fall on 14-February is celebrated with a lot of fanfare in Rajasthan. A large number of devotees observe strict fast on the day. They also believe that an earnest and honest celebration of the festival will give them a respite from all their sins. This festival is mostly celebrated by women of the Hindu community. After fasting for the whole day, they devotedly pray to the God. Married women perform these rituals for the well being of their husbands. Unmarried girls perform these rituals to get the best husband like Lord Shiva.

On this day, Lord Shiva is bathed in milk and honey. They also offer Bel leaves and flowers (which is also called Bengal quince or wood apple) while chanting Om Namay Shivay. Some of the Lord Shibva temples also observe Jaagaran during the whole night of Mahashivaratri. After day break, the various foods offered to the Lord are eaten by the devotees as ‘Prasad’.

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Kota :-

Kota is the third largest city of Rajasthan. It is located 240 kms to the south of state capital Jaipur. Kota has modern industrialization and it is a fascinating mixture of medieval grandeur. Kota is located at an elevation of 515 meters above sea level on the banks of the Chambal river below a deep gorge. Kota lies in an area of country that straddled a major trade route from New Delhi to Gujarat. Kota has now changed itself into the industrial capital of Rajasthan with its hydro-electricity and irrigation projects, atomic power projects and other industrial units. Kota is also well-known for its traditional handicrafts industry. Temperature of Kota is neither too hot nor too cold. Temperature is about 43 degree Celsius in Summers and it is about 5 degree Celsius in Winters. Best time to visit Kota is from August to February. Languages which are spoken in Kota are Rajasthani, English, Hindi, Sindhi and Urdu.

History of Kota :-

In the 12th century the Hada chieftain, Rao Deva, conquered the territory and founded Hadoti and Bundi. During the rule of Mughal Emperor Jahangir afterwards, in the early 17th century the ruler of Bundi, Rao Ratan Singh, gave his son, Madho Singh, the smaller principality of Kota. Kota is considered as a hallmark of Rajput culture and power in the course of time. Kota was a small independent state in the past which is enclosed by more powerful neighbours. Kota prospered in the 19th century under the guidance of the ruler Zalim Singh. In 1894 the British reunited the territory and imposed stability.

Tourist Attraction in Kota :-

Important tourist attractions in Kota are Umaid Bhawan Palace and Kota Fort. Umaid Bhawan Palace was constructed for Maharao Umaid Singh II in 1904. It was designed by Sir Samuel Swinton Jacob in support of Indian designers. Interior of the palace has a banquet hall, garden and a drawing room. Exterior is buff–coloured stone with a stucco finish and include much typical Rajput detail. Umaid Bhawan Palace has now been changed into a heritage hotel. Kota fort is an example of organic growth and there is no overall plan to the development of the area within the walls. It was constructed from the year 1625 onwards. Bhim Mahal – Bhim Mahal is a large Durbar Hall which is enclosed with Rajput miniatures documenting the towns periods of expansion and recording Kota’s legends.

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Dungarpur :-

Dungarpur is one of the prominent city of the Vagad region in Rajasthan. The word Dungar means hills in the common language and hence the Dungarpur means the city of hills. Dungarpur has an interesting topography ranging from rugged and wild terrain in the north east to the fertile plains of the alluvial soil in the south west. This region was also the stronghold of the Bhils. It is built around the huge Gaibsagar Lake and is enclosed by lolling hills on three sides. History of Dungarpur.

The chiefs of Dungarpur who bear the title of Maharawal are descended from Mahup who was the eldest son of Karan Singh, chief of Mewar in the 12th century and claim the honours of the elder line of Mewar. Mahup was disinherited by his father, he took refuge with his mother’s family the Chauhans of Bagar and made himself master of that country at the expense of the Bhil chiefs.Dungarpur was founded towards the end of the 14th century by Rawal Bir Singh who named it after Dungaria who was an independent Bhil chieftain whom he had caused to be assassinated. Dungarpur became well-known under the Guhilot Ahara Suryavanshi Rajputs who trace their ancestry from the elder branches of the main lineage at Chittorgarh. After the death of Rawal Udai Singh of Bagar at the Battle of Khanwa in 1527, where he fought alongside Rana Sanga against Babar his territories were divided into the states of Banswara and Dungarpur.

Tourist Attractions in Dungarpur :-

Important tourist attractions in Dungarpur are Juna Palace and Udai Bilas Palace. Udai Bilas Palace is a good example of the Rajput architecture with its intricately sculptured pillars and panels, impressive balconies, bracketed windows and marvellous panels. The Udai Bilas Place was built in the mid-19th century by Maharawal Udai Singh-II, by the bluish-grey sandstone. The Udai Bilas Palace has been now converted into a heritage hotel and still under the control of the royal family of Dungarpur and a royal residence.

Juna Mahal is a seven storeyed structure which resembles a fortress with crenellated walls, narrow entrances, corridors and turrets. Interiors of the Mahal are decorated with miniature paintings, attractive frescoes, mirror and glass work.

Other attractions include:

Temple of Shrinathji – It is a famous temple which is dedicated to the Shrinathji, it lies on the banks of the Gaib Sagar lake. Various lakes and forests in Dungarpur attract a large variety of migratory birds during the winters.

Festivals in Dungarpur :-

An important fair which is celebrated in Dungarpur is the Baneshwar Fair, it take place in the month of February at Baneshwar, a small delta formed by the river Mahi and Soma which is about 50 km from Dungarpur. It is a religious fair with traditional and simple rituals. It is one of the biggest and most important fair of the Bhils. ‘Baneshwar’ means the ‘master of the delta’ it is derived from the Shiva Linga kept in the Mahadev temple in Dungarpur. The tribal folks of Bhils assemble here from the neighbouring states of Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh and offer prayers to Lord Shiva.

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Osian Tour :-

Osian a very old small temple town in the Thar Desert which is situated about 65 kms to the north west of Jodhpur. Osian is a huge centre of Jain and Brahmanical religions. Osian has the largest group of Hindu and Jain temples in Rajasthan which belongs to the two periods, 8th century temple which is symbolized by about 12 temples and 12th century symbolized by 6 temples.

History of Osian

Osian was a large and busy town in the medieval period and groups from Afghanistan, central Asia, Persia and Arabia come here for trade. Osian was the capital of the Gurjara Pratihara dynasty from 8th to 12th century. Osian was a prominent center of pilgrimage between 8th and 9th centuries. This can be known from the surviving Hindu temples of the Surya (Sun), Vaishnava, and Shakti (mother goddess) sects. During that period the Brahminical control was very strong in Osian, later Jainism also prospered in the place through the Gurjara Pratihara dynasty.

Today also devotees from all over visit the Osian temple dedicated to the goddess Sachiyamata. Osian was known as Ukeshpur in the historic times.

Tourist attractions in Osian

The Brahmanical Jain temples and Hindu temples are the famous tourist attractions in Osian. These temples were constructed between 8th and 12th century during the rule of the Gurjara Pratihara dynasty. These temples are very small and are richly fashioned and magnificently built. In these temples, each temple has its own distinctive planning, layout, and design and no two temples are alike in any manner. These temples were constructed from the stone which was extracted from local quarries, and has managed to withstand the vagaries of nature for various centuries. The prominent temple of Osian is situated on a terrace whose walls are ornamented with Miniatures and mouldings. As the main shrine of the temple is enclosed by four small shrines, the temple is called a panchavatan temple. Central projections are there on the walls of the temple which are carved panels, above the panels there rise the curved towers topped by an amalaka and pot finial. The doorways are generally decorated with serpents, scrollwork, and river goddesses.

On the outskirts of Osian village there are a group of 11 temples which belongs to 8th-9th centuries. On a hill overlooking the village the other temples are located which belong to 11th and 12th centuries. South group includes 3 Harihara Hindu temples. The interior of these temples is very amazing and these temples are known for the magnificently decorated walls. South group comprise early 8th century which is the Surya temple and 11th – 12th century temple which is the Sachiya Mata Temple. West group of temples comprises a mixture of Hindu (Vishnu, Pippala Devi and Surya) temples, an 8th century tank and an 11th century Jain (Mahavira) temple. Jain Mahavira temple is distinctive among various Osian temples with the vaulted design of its hall-ceiling. Sachiya Mata temple is the famous temple which was founded 1178 AD, it has a Shikhar which is clustered by an ambulatory and a large assembly hall with an elaborate ceiling. The oldest temple of the group is the Sun temple. Its doorway is considered as one of the best temple doorways in India.

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