Map

KISHANGARH


Founded by Kishan Singh, a Rathore prince in the first quarter of the seventeenth century, Kishangarh is a sleepy town situated at a distance of 27 km from Ajmer. Kishangarh boasts of India’s one of the famous schools of miniature paintings. One of the most famous painting representative of this school is that of Radha, Krishna’s consort who is portrayed as an exceptionally beautiful woman with enamoring almond eyes. At present Kishangarh is renowned for its wholesale market of red chilies, marble and granite cutting industry and a cotton weaving center. The handicraft of Kishangarh has earned a name for itself in the world market.

Kishangarh - Foremost school of Miniature Paintings

It nurtured one of the finest schools of miniature paintings in the 18th century. The Bani Thani style of miniature painting in Kishangarh went through a spurt of excellence under Nihal Chand - painter in court of Raja Sawant Singh.

Places of Interest
There are a good number of tourist attractions that you can visit on your Kishangarh tours. You may make Roopangarh Fort your starting point. It has recently been converted into a wonderful hotel by the maharaja and maharani of Kishangarh. Roopangarh was the capital of this province for nearly a century despite being repeatedly assailed by the neighbouring states. The Fort, founded in the latter half of the seventeenth century, is situated on the banks of the Lake Gandalan whose placid waters mirror the edifice in a brilliant manner. The Fort houses a good number of exquisite miniature paintings of with the deities and the religious epics as their subjects. A pointed arched gateway adorned with painted elephants and guards, offers entry into the fort. Another palace that is well worth a visit is the Phool Mahal that was constructed in 1870. Located in close proximity to the Kishangarh Fort, the palace has now undergone refurbishment as a hotel. Surrounded by landscaped gardens, Phool Mahal offers soul stirring views of the Kishangarh Fort and the Gundalo Lake. Kishangarh is a treasure trove of art and craft and it is the attraction of Kishangarh handicrafts that brings many tourists to this town in Rajasthan.

How to Reach

By Air– The airport in Jaipur is nearest to Kishangarh. It is at a distance of about 145 km.
By Rail– Those who plan to access Kishangarh by train has to break journey from Ajmer which is the nearest railhead.
By Road– Kishangarh is well-connected by a good network of roads to many places in Rajasthan.

OSIAN

Osian, an ancient small temple town in the Thar Desert, is located about 65 kms, north west of Jodhpur. Osian is a great centre of Brahmanical and Jain religions and contains the largest group of the Hindu and Jain temples in Rajasthan. These temples belongs to the two periods, namely 8th century represented by nearly 12 temples and 12th century represented by 6 temples.

In the medieval period, Osian was a large and bustling town and caravans from Arabia, Persia, Afghanistan and central Asia arrived here for trade. The main temple of Osian is set on a terrace whose walls are decorated with mouldings and miniatures. The temple is called a panchavatan temple as the central shrine is surrounded by four small shrines. The walls of the temple have central projections with carved panels and above these rise the curved towers topped by an amalaka and pot finial. The doorways are usually decorated with river goddesses, serpents and scrollwork. A group of 11 temples belong to the 8th-9th centuries and lies within and on the outskirts of the Osian village. The other group of temples that belong to the 11th and 12th centuries are located on a hill overlooking the village. The temples are grouped in several groups like the North group, West group and South group. The South group includes three Harihara Hindu temples. The architecture of the interiors of this temple is very impressive and is known for the beautifully decorated walls. The West group contains a mixture of Hindu (Surya, Vishnu and Pippala Devi) temples, an 8th century tank and an 11th century Jain (Mahavira) temple. The South group includes the Surya temple (early 8th century) and the Sachiya Mata Temple (11th - 12th century). The Jain Mahavira temple is unique among the various Osian temples, with the vaulted design of its hall-ceiling. The main Sachiya Mata temple appears to be made in 1178 AD and has a shikhar clustered by two rows of turrets, an ambulatory and a large assembly hall with an elaborate ceiling. The Sun temple is the oldest temple of the group. Its doorway is regarded as one of the finest temple doorways in India.

NATHDWARA

Nathdwara is a popular Hindu pilgrimage site. This is one of the most celebrated pilgrimage shrines of India, enshrining Krishna as Govardhana Giridhari. Nathdwara is situated 48-km northeast of Udaipur in Rajasthan, on the banks of the Banas River.

Nathdwara enshrines Shrinathji - an image of Krishna, which was originally enshrined at the Vraja Bhoomi at Mount Govardhana near Mathura.The name Nathdwara means 'Gate of the Lord'. The image was brought to Mewar, for the sake of protection during the period of Aurangazeb, the Mughal monarch. The chariot carrying the image is said to have gotten stuck here, and hence a temple was established with the permission of the then Rana of Mewar, at Nathdwara.

Nathdwara is very closely associated with the Vallabha Sampradaya of Vaishnavism. Prior to his visiting the Shrinathji shrine, Vallabhacharya is said to have described Puri, Pandharpur, Srirangam and Tirupati as four great centres of Vaishnavism, in his work 'Tatvartha Deepa Nibhandha'.The town is an agricultural market and has a government college affiliated with the University of Rajasthan.


History
Where on earth can you be awaken to the call of rare migratory birds, watch fish in the shimmering lotus lake, see history reincarnated in the etched walls of ancient temples, ride out over acres of untouched hillside, relax in lush green gardens with waterfalls and still be a stones throw from civilization and have all the comforts and amenities of home. The Resort - A dream Location, The Aravalli Hills, The Encompassing Lotus Lake Bagela in the Heart of Nagda’s Domain. Ethnic Design, Beautiful Manicured Gardens, Waterfalls, Picturesque Landscape. Complementing Facade, Strategic Location, Undisturbed Breathtaking Panorama, Ageless Rustic Beauty. Luxurious Rooms with private “Jarokhas”. View of Dotted Hills & Shimmering Lake.

Places to see
The Shrinathji Temple
Shrinathji represents the form of Krishna, in which he lifted the Govardhana Hill and subdued Indra, the king of Devas who was sending an incessant downpour of rain, causing immense hardship to the cowherds of Gokul. The image of Srinathji is believed to have been a self manifested one. It was originally worshipped in a humble shrine and then moved to a larger temple in its vicinity. Vallabhacharya made arrangements for the worship of this deity and this tradition was continued by his son, Vitthalesh Goswami. It is believed that Taj Bibi, a wife of Akbar had visited this temple. It was during the 17th century that this image was shifted to Rajasthan. Nathdwara is a place of Hindu pilgrimage; it contains a 17th-century Vaishnavite shrine that is one of the most famous in India. Within the temple is a celebrated image of Lord Krishna, popularly said to date to the 12th century BC. { Book Temple Tours }

Rajsamand Lake
Rajsamand Lake (66 kms): Close to Kankroli, is the dam, built by Maharana Raj Singh in 1660 AD. Many ornamental arches and 'chhatris' adorn the embankment

Nav Chowki
On the banks of the lake is this pillared edifice, which is paved with marble and has beautifully carved arches and chhatris'

How to Reach
By Air :Air-Indian Airlines and Jet Air are having flights up to Udaipur, from where it is one hour drive in Taxi or Bus
By Rail :Mavli rail junction is the closest to Nathdwara. Road: Well connected by road with Udaipur.
By Road :Nathdwara is well connected by Mumbai/ Surat/ Baroda/ Ahmedabad with good motorable roads.

KOTA

Kota is situated at a center of the southeastern region of Rajasthan a very region widely known as Hadaoli the land of the Hadas. Kota lies along the banks of the Chambal river. the historical places and temples are getting surrounded with signs of modern development. . Kota is on a high sloping tableland forming a part of the Malwa Plateau. The Mokandarra hills run from southeast to northwest axis of the town. It is 36 km from Bundi.

The town of Kota was once the part of the erstwhile Rajput kingdom of Bundi. It became a separate princely state in the 17th century. Apart from the several monuments that reflect the erstwhile glory of the town, Kota is also known for its palaces and gardens.

Once you drop in Kota, straight away head for the biggest attraction here, the City Palace. The present structure is the result of constructions carried out by different rulers at different stages without any predefined plan. So, one sees bastions and massive ramparts studded with elegant cupolas and carved balustrades where the Mogul elements of decoration are superimposed on Rajput structures. Do check out some beautiful colored glass and frescoes most of which depict Lord Krishna with the gopis.

History
The history of the city dates back to the 12th century A.D. when the Hada Chieftain, Rao Deva, conquered the territory and founded Bundi and Hadoti. Later, in the early 17th century AD during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Jahangir, the ruler of Bundi -Rao Ratan Singh, gave the smaller principality of Kota to his son, Madho Singh. Since then Kota became a hallmark of the Rajput gallantry and culture. The commanding fort stands overlooking the modern Chambal Valley Project with its many dams- Kota Barrage,Gandhi Sagar,Rana Pratap Sagar and Jawahar Sagar.

An old palace,dating back to the time when Kota was under the control of Hada Chieftaincy-Hadoti faces the Kota Barrage. The Durbar Hall is ornate with beautiful mirror work and has ebony and ivory doors. Exquisite miniatures of the Kota school are housed within the Hall. Other noteworthy edifices of the bygone era are the Brij Raj Bhawan Palace,Jag Mandir-and island Palace, a splendid haveli (mandion) with beautiful frescoes and the royal cenotaphs.

Places to see
Rao Madho Singh Ji Museum
This was formerly a palace and is named after the son of the ruler of Bundi who was made the first ruler of Kota State by the Mughal emperor Jehangir. The museum is closed on Fridays and state holidays. It gives a wonderful glimpse of the glory and history of the place with miniature paintings and ancient armory on display. Situated in the old palace, it houses a rich collection of Rajput paintings of the Kota school, exquisite sculptures and other valuable antiques. The museum is the treasure house of artistic items used by the rulers of kota.

Brijraj Bhawan Palace
Brijraj Bhawan, a colonial style palace, situated on the bank of river Chambal, was build in the early nineties. The palace has large spacious rooms that are tastefully done up with antique furniture. An intresting feature of the palace is the fact that almost all the rooms overlook the Chambal river providing an arresting view of the mighty river.

Chambal Garden
You will certainly feel the change in the environment when you step in this beautiful garden. The lush green garden at Amar Niwas makes a lovely picnic spot and while experiencing the ambiance of the place, you can also enjoy a boat ride.


How to Reach
By Air : Jaipur is the nearest large airport through a local airline has flight to Jaipur from Kota.
By Rail :There are many trains operating from Kota to Delhi, Mumbai and Jaipur.
By Road : Good network of road connections link Kota with many cities inside and outside the state. There are several buses from Kota to Ajmer, Jaipur, Jodhpur and Bikaner.
 

DUNGARPUR

Dungarpur district is the stronghold of the Bheels, a tribe whose history of occupancy in the Aravalli range is said to date back to 4000 BC.Founded in 1197. The rulers of Dungarpur claim descent from the Rajput house of Mewar. The first rulers of Dungarpur were Kunwar Mahap and his descendants who resided in the town of Galiankot, where their ruined castle still stands. Towards the end of the 12th century, Samant Singh, the eldest son of the ruler of Mewar, had to leave Mewar in favor of his younger brother Kumar Singh. Samant Singh drifted into the hilly area of Bagar and, within the next century, Samant Singh's successors controlled the whole province of Bagar. Rawal Udai Singh of Bagar was killed at the battle of Khanua in 1527, fighting for Mewar against Moghul Emperor Babur. His territory was thereafter divided between his two sons, forming two separate states. Prithvi Raj remained in Dungarpur while his brother Jagmal Singh became independent ruler of Banswara.

How to reach
By Air : Nearest airport is Udaipur (110 km).
By Bus : Dungarpur is approchable by road from Udaipur (110 km).
By Train : Rail Nearest railway station is in Ratlam (Madhya Pradesh) (80 kms) connected with all the major cities of the country.

Getting around
Cycle - rickshaw and tongas are available.
 

SAMODE

Samode is only about 42 kilometers from Jaipur ,Within the four walls you can almost believe you are in another world. Samode is situated in the royal Indian state of Rajasthan around 42 km from Jaipur, the capital city. Located on way to Shekhawati, this small village is famous for its haveli and fort. Samode is connected to Jaipur through a good network of roads. Unlike the other havelis of Rajasthan, the Samode Palace does not belong to any royal family but a family of noblemen, the Rawals of Samode.

Prime Attractions
• Samode Bagh
The history of Samode Palace goes back to more than four and a half centuries. Prithviraj Singhji of Amber, the seventeenth prince of the house of Kachhawah Rajputs, had awarded Samode to one of his twelve sons - Gopal Singhji alongwith the hereditary title of Rawal Saheb. Set cosily in the scenic rocky hills, Samode Palace with its stately majesty opens a grand journey into the glorious past through its frescoed corridors. The palace is full of architectural delights. The birds, animals and flowers painted on the walls of the Sultan Mahal, the dining room with its stained glass windows and its collection of old family portraits, the Durbar Hall with its painted ceilings and intricately carved walls and beautiful chandeliers, give this palace its ethnic charm. Each room is done up in traditional Rajasthani style and the antique furniture blends well with the surroundings. A traditional welcome with camel carts, buggies, elephants and local musicians is organized on preference. Camel safaris are available.

Built more than 400 years ago by Rawal Sheo Singhji, it is modelled on the geometric style of the Mughal Garden. Members of the Samode family came here to enjoy rare moments of privacy and relax in the airy pavilions, surrounded by rippling water fountains. A special feature of the stay here is the accommodation being provided in the tents. Meeting point at the Bagh is the elegantly furnished Durbar tent. Dune coloured tents, all luxuriously furnished with every comfort, the lawns, fruit trees, grape vines, and the flowering shrubs make the stay here a memorable one.


How to Reach
Air :The nearest airhead is Jaipur from where flights can be taken for the other important cities of India. Major cities that are connected with Jaipur by air are Delhi, Mumbai, and Udaipur.
Rail :Jaipur is the nearest railhead that links Samode with the other parts of the country. There are several good trains that connect Jaipur with Delhi, Mumbai, and Calcutta.
Road :The distance from Jaipur to Samode is 42 kilometers. From Jaipur one can drive out on the highway to Bikaner. Samode can be reached after taking a left turn from a village called Chomu. The Samode Palace is only about 10 km from this village. Samode is connected to the other places in Rajasthan through state transport corporation buses.
 

NAGAUR

Nagaur was bestowed upon Balban as a jagir (ancestral property) in 1242. After that, the Sultans of Delhi, Guajarat and Marwar continuously exploited the city for possession. It was in great demand because of its strategic location. Sher Shah captured it in 1542. Later on, it was included in the Mughal empire and became a 'sarkar' (division) under Ajmer Subah. During those days, the province yielded revenue of Rs. 10 lakhs annually.

An old fort in the heart of the town contains old palaces, water cisterns and a few other partially ruined buildings. The fort has some real high value paintings on its walls, making it a must-see for art lovers.

There are quite a few historically important monuments in the town. There is a shrine dedicated to the disciple of the Khwaja of Ajmer. It is the Dargah of Khwaja Hamiduddin Nagauri who was also known as Sultan-ul-Tarkeen.

The other monument worth a visit is the Amar Singh Rathore Ki Chhatri. Known for his exemplary gallantry in the battlefield, Amar Singh was denied his right to succession to the throne during the Mughal era. He is remembered for upholding his dignity by murdering Salabat Khan - the brainchild behind the emperor's insolent conduct towards him - in full view of the Mughal Court in Agra. Although Amar Singh was killed, stories of his dauntless spirit and heroics are part of Nagaur's folklore now.

Nagaur is also renowned for its marble industry. The famous Makarana marble - used in the Taj Mahal (Agra) and Victoria Memorial (Kolkata) - is found in plenty here. This industry generates big revenue for the town.

Nagaur Fort
It is believed to be as old as the 2nd century. Centrally located, this sandy fort has witnessed a number of battles. There are many small temples and palaces inside the premises.

Tarkeen Dargah
It is a very sacred place for Muslims and Sufis and is the most renowned after the world famous Ajmer Dargah.

Glass Jain Temple :A very sacred place for the Jain community, this temple is built of glass and is indeed a great display of master craftsmanship.

THE NAGAUR FAIR :
Nagaur is known to be the land of fairs. For the rural habitants of the town, these fairs are big social events and are eagerly awaited. They actually help in binding the state together and facilitate harmony.

The biggest fair in Nagaur is the Ramdeo Cattle Fair. It is also the third largest cattle fair in the state of Rajasthan. King Umed Singh of the Jodhpur Dynasty found this fair in the honor of Shri Ramdeo. For the last 56 years, this fair is being held annually in the month of Magh (January/February). Various breeds of goats, cows, sheep, camels, horses, bullocks, etc are put up for display and sale by the villagers. The famous Nagauri bull is the chief attraction of the fair. Cattle bearers from all over the country participate in the fair with enthusiasm and try to strike a profitable deal here.

The fair is a big market of farm products, especially the Mirchi (red chilli). The Nagaur Fair is a real showcase of rural Rajasthan, its culture and tradition.

About 247 kms from Jaipur, Nagaur is centrally situated in Rajasthan. It shares its border with several other districts in the state. Bikaner and Churu in the north, Sikar and Jaipur in the east, Ajmer and Pali in the south and Jodhpur in the west are Nagaur's neighbors.

 

NAWALGARH

 Wish to have a brush with the past and get drench in the artistic abundance? How about the city of Havelis - Nawalgarh? The town of Nawalgarh derives its name from Thakur Nawal Singh who founded it in the year 1737.

TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS

Nawalgarh is rightly referred to as the Open Air Gallery. There is art all around. Nawalgarh is renowned all over the world for its exquisitely painted havelis that are beautifully designed and carved. The havelis are the mansions that boast of the beautifully carved wooden gates and the painted walls. The ornate iron and brass fittings revealed the affluence of the owner of the haveli. The marvelous murals have been painted on both the sides of the walls. The paintings were further decorated with small pieces of mirror, gold and silver leaves. The religious nature of the people is revealed in the paintings that revolve around the themes for the life and times of Lord Krishna. In fact there are a range of topics that get covered on the walls of the havelis at Nawalgarh. The list of must visit havelis at Nawalgarh comprises of the Anandilal Poddar Haveli, the Jodhraj Patodia Haveli, Bansidar Bhagat Haveli, Chokhani Haveli, the Aath (eight) Haveli complex, Chhawchhariya Haveli, Murarka Haveli, Hem Raj Kulwal Haveli, Bhagton Ki Haveli, and Khedwal Bhavan. The traders and merchants constructed most of the havelis in the 18th century and the early 19th century. The business of silk and opium brought in a lot of wealth to the merchants. So check out these finest frescoes in the Nawalgarh!

While at Nawalgarh you must visit the British Clock Tower at the college. The clock tower is a major landmark in Nawalgarh, which is the heart of the Shekhawati. Then there are two famous forts of Nawalgarh. The dome of the Nawalgarh fort has an aerial view of Jaipur painted on it. The Ganga Mai temple near the gate of one of the forts is a major tourist attraction.

At Nawalgarh you may even avail a comfortable and luxurious stay at the residence of the Thakur of Nawalgarh.The Roop Niwas Palace is the right choice at Nawalgarh for the royal experience of your retreat. There are the gorgeous green garden and the fabulous fountains that will not fail to sweep you off your feet. For recreation you may even indulge in pool and billiards. Camel as well as horse rides can also be opted for. There are as many as thirty well-appointed and equipped rooms to make your stay an unforgettable one. The charming combination of the Rajput and the European architectures of the Roop Niwas Palace are captivating. Off late the royal residence has been converted into a heritage hotel.

HOW TO REACH

Nawalgarh is easily accessible.

BY AIR - The capital city of Rajasthan state namely Jaipur is at a distance of hundred kilometers from Nawalgarh. Jaipur happens to be the nearest airport that connects Nawalgarh with the other major cities of India by air.

BY RAIL - In terms of rail transport the railway station at Nawalgarh caters to the tourists and other travelers of train from the neighboring areas.

BY ROAD - The road network links Nawalgarh with most of the major towns of Rajasthan. Once you reach Nawalgarh you may opt for hiring jeeps or auto rickshaws to travel locally. At Nawalgarh food and accommodation are easily available. There are budget hotels and other restaurants that cater to the needs of the tourists of varying pocket sizes.

Get going to the city of the havelis that promises you the time of your life - Nawalgarh!

 

POKRAN

Pokran Is located on the junction of Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and Bikaner Road.

It is on route to Jaisalmer and is also a fort town though the fort is not of the dimensions of Jaisalmer or Jodhpur.

Pokran also came into limelight, as it was the site for India nuclear detonation. Pokran is also renowned for its furniture and interior crafts.

The Fort locate about 1.5 kms from the bus stand has an assortment of weaponry, brocade clothes and various games of dice and dominoes on display.

Fort Pokran also offers hotel accommodation with some washed out appeal.

 

KUCHAMAN

Founded by Thakur Zalim Singh in 1781 AD, Kuchaman is a small village known for its impressive fort that has been converted into a grand heritage hotel today. Untouched by the forces of commercialization, Kuchaman exists in a state of blissful ignorance. In fact, Kuchaman is a wonderful place where you can observe the rural population of Rajasthan at its colorful and charming best.

Kuchaman Fort :Perched atop a 1000 ft high cliff, the Kuchaman Fort is the most important attraction of Kuchaman. Converted into a heritage hotel now, the fort displays a rich collection of original inlay work in semi-precious stones, glass and gold paint. The Sheesh Mahal (glass palace) is a sight to marvel at. Meanwhile, a colorful bazaar located below the fort is a great place to shop for handicrafts and fabrics.

Meera Mahal : This beautiful palace houses exquisite miniature paintings that depict the life of Meera Bai.

Lok Dev Temple : Built by Ranjit Singh, this temple showcases paintings of Lok Devatas like Sant Gogaji, Baba Ram Dev, Sant Ravi Das and Sant Kabir.

China Pole :Complete with intricately painted interiors, this pole was constructed by a Chinese traveler who wanted to narrate his travel experiences in a unique way.