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KHEECHAN

paradise for Demoiselle Cranes Kheechan is a small village situated 130 kms from Jodhpur and 5 kms from Phalodi In the northern part of the Thar Desert in Rajasthan, India. During winter, Kurjaan or Demoiselle Cranes migrate here. Due to the protection given by the villagers, these birds have been coming here by the thousands for many years.

Every year towards the end of September, just after the monsoon rains have ceased, they fly in from their breeding grounds of Eurasia and Mongolia. Suddenly, the silent and sleepy village of Kheechan is transformed into a crowded place with the arrival of thousands of these birds as their "krok-krok" calls fill the air. The cranes stay here for 4-5 months. The Demoiselle Crane (Anthropoides virgo) is a medium-sized bird (approximately 30 inches). Its overall plumage is gray with a black head and neck and it has prominent white ear tufts and red eyes.
The long, black feathers of its lower neck fall over the breast. Young birds have a gray head and much shorter secondary feathers that drop over the tail. The birds are winter visitors and are most common in northwest ,Their food includes wheat, rice and grain.
This is a natural sanctuary to the bird Kurjan. This bird belongs to South Western Europe, Black sea, Poland, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, North and South Africa and Mongolia.

In India, this bird is known as Kurjan, karkara and kunch. When Europe cold becomes intolerable then these birds migrate to India.
 

BANSWARA

Banswara, it is likely, derived its name from bans or bamboo shoots, which once grew in abundance around the places. It was a part of the territory known aas Bagar during the regin of Udai Singh (who succeeded to the throne sometime between 1496 and 1498 AD) and is said to have been founded by Jagmal, the younger son of Udai Singh who, being much devoted to his queen, the mother of Jagmal and wanting to see him installed as a ruler of a separate State, had partitioned Bagar between the two claimant sons before his death. Banswara remained the capital of erstwhile State of the same name for about four centuries thereafter.

The crumbling stone wall enclosing the old town is still visible, overlooked by the palace of the former rulers of the principality. Bai Tal - an artificial tank - believed to have been constructed by Lachhi Bai of Idar, the Rani of Maharawal Jagmal, lies on the eastern side of the town. About a kilometre away, are the chhatris or cenotaphs of the royality. The town has some Jain and Hindu temples and old mosques.
Baneshawar Festival (According to Lunar Calendar)
The biggest tribal fair held at Baneshwar (60 km) on the confluence of Mahi, Som and Jhakham, which are believed to be holy rivers of the region. A number of tribal people from Madhya Pradesh, Gujrat and Rajasthan gather to immerse the mortal remains of the deed.

How to reach Banswara
By Air :  Nearest airport is Udaipur (160 kms) And airport in Indore (212 kms)

By Bus : No route in the district has so far been nationalised. Rajasthan, Gujarat and M.P. Roadways and the private travel agencies operate frequent buses to major cities like Ahmadabad, Baroda, Ujjain, Bhopa, Udaipur, Jaipur , Jodhpur, Mount Abu, Bombay, Delhi etc.

By Train : Rail Nearest railway station is in Ratlam (Madhya Pradesh) (80 kms) connected with all the major cities of the country.
 

DEEG

Deeg is a small town situated in the north Indian state of Rajasthan, around 152 km away from Delhi. Once the summer resort of the rulers of Bharatpur, it served as the second capital of the region. This interesting town is strewn with massive fortifications, beautiful gardens, magnificent palaces, and a colorful bazaar.

HISTORY

The Jats, a dynasty that dared challenge the power of the Mughals, once ruled Deeg. The living testimony to their rule is a fort constructed during the reign of Surajmal in 1730s. Surajmal was also responsible for the development of the town of Deeg. In 1776, the reign of Jats ended following their defeat in the hands of the imperial Mughal army under Mirza Nazaf Khan. Nevertheless, Deeg was returned after a decade, but it did not remain free for long. It was again seized, this time by new rulers, namely, the British with their peculiar style of gun power and diplomacy. The British set it free not long afterwards in 1805.

TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS

Deeg is in the district of Bharatpur. Approaching the town, one can see the battlements of the fort built by Surajmal. This was constructed in the form of a square, measuring about 274 m. The walls are about 20 m high and rise impressively, although the outer coating of plaster has peeled off in many places and shrubs grow from the bottom of the ramparts.

The entrance to the fort is from the north. An outer gateway leads to an L-shaped bridge. Inside the fort is a palace (haveli). This is now in ruins, but one can still see what was once its entrance, an ornate red sandstone construction with a pointed arch. The forecourt was added later and for many years served as a prison. One can see a couple of canons on nearby mounts and, at the top of the northwestern battlement, known as Larkha Burj, another canon lies on its side discarded.

It is from the top of the western wall of the fort that one may view the palace below, built beyond a pond-the Rup Sagar-and alongside the former Purana Mahal. The entrance is to the north. Known as the Singh Pol, it is ornately but simply carved with a couple of lions above the gateway. This building apparently dates from a later period, but was never finished.

Once through it, one is at the edge of the gardens that are built in the char-bagh style, essentially four separate gardens around the same center. The style of both the gardens and buildings are from the Mughal period and yet with a distinctive flavor-a result of the Jats' own aesthetic vision that flourished at a time when the Mughal architecture started to deteriorate. The most striking feature is the fountains numbering about 500. One can see the bases of these sticking up all around the palace, but unless one visits on a Saturday in August, one is unlikely to see the water display operational for it requires a great amount of water. This builds up during the monsoon and is collected in a huge tank at the top of one building that can be seen almost directly opposite the entrance.

It is from the tank that, when the sluices are open, the water flows down and out of the many fountainheads below. These can be seen all around the garden area. A full tank takes only a few hours to empty and about a week to fill. This was achieved by means of bullocks that brought up the water in leather buckets through special chutes at the side of the tower.

The main building in the complex is the Gopal Bhawan, which was the actual residence of the Raja. Here one can see a spacious hall where the Raja was able to greet and address guests while upstairs were the Royal apartments. These can still be seen as they were when used; in one room, there is a raised elliptical dining table, while at the back there is a dining room in the western style.

From the Gopal Bhavan, one can have a good view of the char-bagh. A marble archway forms the support for a hindola (swing). Inscribed on the base is the name of the seventeenth-century Mughal ruler, Shah Jahan. Beyond the Gopal Bhawan is the Suraj Bhawan. This houses its own fountains and is remarkable for its plant decorations on marble slabs that were probably looted from Agra. Other parts of this building also appear to have been taken from other Mughal residences.

On either side of the Suraj Bhawan are two detached pavilions, Sawan and Bhadon, which are designed to look like pleasure barges. During the rains, they allow water to fall down a specially carved chute and later out onto a verandah in a charming display.

The meeting hall (Kisan Bhawan) lies in the southeastern corner of the complex and sports a series of fountains on its terrace. Here the Raja would discuss with advisors and some affairs of state were debated and decided upon. As elsewhere, one can see the use of Persian carpets.

The other bhawans are the wrestling hall (Nandi Bhawan) and the Kesav Bhawan, a place for members of the public to air their views. This building, situated on the edge of the Rup Sagar, is surrounded by a row of small and larger fountains and now has a support in the middle to prevent it from collapsing.

PLACES AROUND DEEG

Bharatpur, 32 km from Deeg, is famous for its bird sanctuary. Many species of migratory birds, including Siberian cranes, come to Bharatpur during winter.

Around 35 km from Deeg is Mathura, one of the most sacred places for Hindus. It is considered the birthplace of Lord Krishna.

Alwar is 75 km from Deeg. It was once the capital of a princely state. Surrounded by a wall, the city has several sites to visit, including the 14th-century tomb of Tarang Sultan, a picturesque lake, a museum, and several ancient mosques.

HOW TO REACH

BY ROAD - Deeg is an easy day trip from Bharatpur, Agra, or Delhi by road.

BY RAIL - Bharatpur is also the nearest railway station from where one can take trains to Delhi, Jaipur, and Mumbai. Nearest airhead is Agra (54 km).
 

BUNDI

Bundi is surrounded by the Aravalli hills on three sides and is circumscribed by a massive wall with four gateways.

Bundi The Capital of Chauhans The small, rustic town of Bundi was the capital of one of the erstwhile princely states of Rajasthan. It is known for its palaces, baolis (step wells) and water tanks. The monuments and their architecture reflect the splendor of the local Rajput chiefs. The walls of the palaces at Bundi are decorated with life-size frescoes depicting the glory of its rulers.

History of Bundi
The area of Bundi came under the Chauhan rulers in the 12th century. The descendents of the Chauhans set up their center at Bundi and ruled from here. Bundi got its name from Bunda, one of its former rulers. It was an important state at the peak of Rajput glory in medieval times. The association with the Mughals led to the decline of Bundi. In 1624, Emperor Jahangir pressurized the local rulers and split the erstwhile state into two parts-Bundi and Kota. Although the state lost its glory, it continued to be an independent state within the British rule and became a part of India when it gained independence in 1947.

Location: Bundi is located in the southern part of the state of Rajasthan, in the north western part of India. It is located amidst a hilly terrain, near a gorge.

Nearby Places

ishwari Niwas :Ishwari Niwas in Bundi was built during the reign of Maharao Ishwari Singh to house the Dewan of Bundi. It was later turned into a guest house and today it is the residence of Maharao's brother-Maharaj Kesri Singh. A seventy years old building, is a combination of Indian as well as European style of architecture.The rooms inside it have been furnished comfortably and provide the guests with all modern amenties.

Haveli Braj Bhushanji :Haveli Brij Bhushanji was built 150 years ago. The haveli is situated on the road to the palace and the terraces of this building allow one a magnificient view of the city palace, the fort as well as the city. Built in traditional rajasthani style, this four storeyed haveli has a lot of open spaces and courtyards and the rooms too are large and airy. Haveli location make it very convenient for tourists to visit other places of interest in the city and even those located a little distance away.

chhattar Mahal / Palace of Towers :A steep, paved carraife-way is the only way to reach the monument. Of special interest in the palace is the 'Hazari Pole' or 'Gate of the thousand', the Naubat Khana, the Hathi Pole with its old water clock and the Diwaan-e-Aam.

Ratan Daulat :Built by Rao Raja Ratan Singh, it is a very interesting structure forming a stable for nine horses and a HatiaPoi. (Prior permission required for visit.)

Chitrashala :A fascinating pavilion and a gallery of miniature murals embellish the palace. Ellaborate colourful paintings on the walls depict scenes from the 'Ragamala' and 'Raaslila' - the Radha-Krishna story.
 
Ranlji-Ki-Baori : It is 46 m deep stepped well with some superb carvings on its pillars and a high arched gate built in 1699 AD by Rani Nathavatji. This well is one of the largest of its kind.

Sukh Mahal :A magnificent summer palace on the Sukh Sagar Lake amid the lush surroundings of a beautiful garden. An underground tunnel is believed to run from the Sukh Mahal to the old palace.

Phool Sagar : The 20th century palace, with an artificial tank and picturesque gardens. Presently, it is the residence of the former ruler (Prior permission of Secretary is required for a visit.)

Shikar Buri : The royal hunting lodge set amidst the lush surroundings. It is a favourite picnic spot.

Eighty Four :Pillared Cenotaph An amazingly magnificent memorial with 84 pillars in a single cenotaph along with a Shivlingam. It was erected by Rao Anirudh.

Climate of Bundi : Climate of Bundi is extreme: summers are quiet hot (April-June) and winters are cool (October-February). It experiences scant rainfall between June and August.

Fair and Festivals : Bundi is famous for its Kajli-teej festival. This annual festival is held in July-August. Travelers must make it a point to visit Bundi during this festival.

How to Reach Bundi
Air : Jaipur 206 km is the nearest airport
Rail : Bundi railway Station - 5 km, Kota 36 km is the convenient railhead.
Road : Good road connections link Bundi with important places around.
 

MANDAWA

Mandawa is situated in the north Indian state of Rajasthan around 190 km off Jaipur, the capital of the state. The town lies between latitude 28.06° in the north and longitude 75.20° in the east. The fort town of Mandawa is well connected with the other places in region through a good network of roads.

Mandawa was settled and fortified in 18th century by the dominant merchant families of the region. The wealthy businessmen of the village constructed many havelis and baolis with colored painting adorning their walls. Later on, with the migration of these merchant families, their old settlements remained in total obscurity with no one to look after them. Despite the time lapse and ignorance about these visual and architectural extravaganzas, their attraction did not fade and today they are some of the major attractions for the tourists visiting Rajasthan.

Climate

Like most of the other places in north India, Mandawa too has an extreme climate. The summers can be very hot with the mercury touching 40.5°C, whereas winters can be chilly and the temperature can fall below 10°C. The best season to visit this place is winter i.e. October to March. The annual rainfall is between 45 to 60 cm. Recommended clothing is light tropical for summer and light woolen for winter.

Mandawa provides the visitors with a sense of discovery at every turn; battlements that offer spectacular views of the town below, a whimsical peacock weather van, and an arched window that overlooks the verdant garden visited by peacocks. Most importantly, the fact that no two rooms are alike in the palace here. In the zenana or women's quarters, one room offers antique murals, another has a marble fountain, and the turret room boasts of walls that are seven feet thick. Looking out from the window of the turret room, it is easy to imagine the marauding bandits that once roamed freely here. Little wonder then that the family crest contains the motto, 'Veer Bhogya Vasundhara', which translates into 'the brave shall inherit the earth'

Shopping
The busy little market of Mandawa has many antique shops that sell local handicrafts and antiques. Before purchasing anything from these shops, it is better to confirm that it has not been taken out from the havelis of the region. Export of antiques older than 100 years is illegal and should not be done, for the sake of saving the heritage of this region.

How to Reach

By Air :The nearest charter airport is Jhunjhunu, the largest city in the region and the district headquarters. Jaipur is the nearest airport for regular flights. Many domestic airlines operate out of Jaipur and connect it with other cities in the country.
By Rail : Jhunjhunu is the nearest convenient railhead and one can take trains for Sikar, Jaipur, and Delhi from Jhunjhunu.
By Road :Road networks crisscross the entire region of Shekhawati, and Mandawa is well connected with other places in the region by private as well as government buses. It is a good idea for groups of four or five persons to hire taxis to move around the place.
 

JHALAWAR

The princely state of the Jhalas, Jhalawar was created in 1838 A.D., after being separated from Kota by the British. Remarkable contributions from various rulers including Zalim Singh I made it a culturally rich state. Lying in the south-eastern region of Rajasthan at the edge of the Malwa plateau, Jhalawar has rocky but water-laden verdant landscape, unlike much of Rajasthan. With some exquisite pre-historic cave paintings, massive forts, thickly wooded forests and exotic wildlife variety. Jhalawar boasts of rich historic as well as natural wealth. One can spot countless species of birds as one drives past the lush countryside. Red poppy fields and orange laden orchards make the countryside all the more fascinating and colourful during winters. The area around Bhawani Mandi is known for contributing a major share to the production of citrus in the country.

Attraction-
Kartik Fair / Chandrabhaga Fair
(every year in Oct - Nov) A big cattle fair is held every year in the month of Kartik (Oct - Nov) at Chandrabhaga near Jhalarpatan. On the full moon night of Kartik Purnima, devotees gather to take a holy dip in the river.

Reaching Jhalawar
By Air : Jhalawar has no airport its own. The nearest airport is Kota, lying some 87 km away.
By Bus :The place is well connected with Bundi, Kota and Jaipur. Infect NH12 passes through Jhalawar.
By Train : The nearest rail head is Ramganj Mandi, at a distance of 25 Km. It is on the main Delhi Mumbai line. However, not all trains stop here. To reach here, Dehradun Express and Frontier Mail, which have stops here, should be opted for.

Getting around
Jhalawar is a relatively small town and easy enough to get around on foot, but there are plenty of auto - rickshaws, cycles - rickshaws and Tongas.
 

ABHANERI

95 km from Jaipur, the village of Abhaneri is situated on the Jaipur-Agra road and is especially notable for 'baoris', the step wells that are an indigenous invention of the local people at rainwater harvesting. Besides these 'baoris', the Harshat Mata Temple is worth visiting, who is the Goddess of Mirth and Happiness. According to the local beliefs, Goddess Harshat Mata is always depicted in a jolly mood and is said to impart her mirth and happiness as brightness to the whole village. 'Abha' means brightness in Hindi. Thus, the village was originally named 'Abha Nagri', which in time was corrupted to Abhaneri.

King Raja Chand is credited with laying the foundation of the village. Some people also believe that Raja Chand is actually just a mythological representation of Raja Bhoja, who was the ruler of the Gurjar kingdom in the 9th century AD. This belief finds its evidences in the ruins of the temple that confirms to the 10th century architectural and sculptural styles. Opposite the temple is a huge tank known as 'Chand Baori', which impresses the visitors as it is fortified on all four sides with stronghold for defense. The mysterious and rich past of Abhaneri, lend it an age-old charm that attracts the tourists. One can reach Abhaneri by road and buses are available to Abhaneri from Jaipur or Agra.
 

LUNI

About 35 kms from Jodhpur, Luni is a charming village that reflects the royal past of Rajasthan. The artisans inhabiting the village are still pursuing their ancestral profession of fashioning metal, clay or wood into intricate forms.

The village, a quiet, unassuming place, is perfect for those stopovers. Located on the bed of river Luni, the village is a mirror image of the desert nearby - always peaceful, yet so vast and mysterious.

Luni Fort
Carved out of the famous red sandstone of Jodhpur, Fort Chanwa of Luni is an exceptional example of Indian architecture. One is expected to sing praises of the master craftsmanship after visiting the fort.

Composed of a lyrical complex of courtyards, towers, waterwheels, passages and panoramic rooftops, the fort spans the village below and the Thar horizon beyond. The fort reminds of a bygone era.

Ornately carved latticework friezes and intricate jherokas are bedazzling, to say the least. Although the fort has been converted into a heritage hotel, it still remains a 'must-see' tourist destination in Rajasthan.

Lying on the bed of River Luni, the village is a neighbor of the Thar Desert and is just 35 kilometers from Jodhpur.

SARISKA

lies within the Golden Tourist Triangle of Delhi, Jaipur and Agra, and is an important halt for the traveller. It is one of the last surviving densely forested tracts along the Aravalli mountain range and the 800km2 dry deciduous jungles are interspersed with forest, scrubland and water-bodies, which provide fruit, fodder and water for its birds, mammals and reptiles.

The Park is rich in avifauna as well; besides the omnipresent Peafowl other birds such as woodpeckers, partridges, quails, owls, treepies and several species of raptors may be spotted with patience and bit of luck. As a Ranathambhore National Park, also in Rajasthan, this park contains ruined temples as well as a fort, pavilions and a palace (now a hotel) built by the maharajas of Alwar, the former owners of this area. The sanctuary can be visited year-round, except during July/ August when the animals move to higher ground, but the best time is between November and June. You will see most wildlife in the evening, though tiger sightings are becoming more common during the day.

The tiger reigns supreme in the forests of Sariska, but other animals cohabit with the "Great Cat" and herds of Chital (spotted deer), solitary Nilgai (Blue Bull) and Sambar (largest Asiatic deer), Wild Boar, Indian Porcupine, Wild Dog and Hare may be seen on a safari through the Park. Hides have been constructed at strategic locations (e.g. near a waterhole) to enable visitors to photograph animals (special permission needed).

Best time to visit
The best time to visit this beautiful countryside is between November and June. One can see the most of the animals in the evening.

How to reach
Sariska is 35 km from Alwar, which is a convenient town to approach the sanctuary. Frequent buses ply between Sariska and Alwar. From Jaipur, Sariska is 120 km away and it takes three hours by road. Jaipur is well connected by air, rail and road to most of the important cities in India.

The best way to visit the park is by jeep and these can be arranged at the Forest Reception Office on the Jaipur Road.

 

ALSISAR

The Shekhawati (open air art gallery of Rajasthan) this region is famous for its painted mansions with beautiful frescos. This tour takes to places which provide a veritable feast of wall painting which are unmatched in the world. Feel the glory of the bygone era through these beautiful colors and listen to the story they tell . Return with a dream dating back in time.
Alsisar is famous for havelies and frescoes.