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The dam built across the Jawai River

Editorial Team — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 07:32:03 +0000

By Harpreet Kaur

Jawai River Dam

Jawai Dam or Jawai bandh is built across the Jawai river in Sumerpur tehsil of Pali district. It is one of the biggest dams in western Rajasthan. Sei dam and Kalibor dam are feeder dams for the Jawai Dam.

You can view the dam from the top of Castle Bera. The Jawai river originates in the Aravallis and flows besides the Bera village. This is the largest manmade dam in western Rajasthan. The Jawai River is one of the tributaries of the Luni River. The other large dam located in the area is the Sadar Samand Dam.

This dam is also a paradise for migratory birds in winter, and the dam is a host to the Jawai Dam Crocodile Sanctuary, a home to marshy crocodiles. The forests close to the dam is a good place to spot a leopard roaming free. The lake formed due to this dam is home to the biggest e to crocodile sanctuary.

This dam was built by Maharaja Umaid Singh in 1946. The dam has a capacity of 7887.5 million cubic feet and covers an area of 102,315 acres of cultivable area. The height is about 61.2 feet.

The dam and its surrounding area are paradise for migratory birds. It supplies water to villages of Jalore and Pali district for irrigation. It is home to cranes of all types, comb duck, spotbill duck, demmossile, sarus, barheaded geese, and other birds.

Jawai Dam Crocodile Sanctuary and the Kambeshwarji Leopard sanctuary is also situated nearby. The place is a heaven for marshy crocodiles and panther, bear, hyena, wolf, nilgai, chinkara, jackals, and jungle cats.

Closeby is the Kortaescape at korta about 10 km from Jawai Dam. It is a historic place and is rich in history, culture, and tradition. Korta has many 10^th century temples. It is surrounded by the Aravalli range.

Jawai river dam in Sumerpur tehsil, Pali, Rajasthan

History

Pali traces its origins in Mahabharat and was a part of the `baalla desh`, a democratic` state of the Arbuda province. The legendary Chinese traveler Huen-Tsang mentions Pali in his wrtings as in 667 AD, as a part of the Gurjar Desh and was administered by local bodies. Geologists have found traces of pre-historic civilization in Pali and that it emerged from the western sea that was once spread over present day Rajasthan. It was ruled by King Harshavardhana of the Chalukya dynasty until the end of the 7th century. During 10th to 15th century Pali boundaries extended to join Mewar, Godwad and Marwar. Rajput rulers resisted foreign invaders individually. Pali saw many battles during the 16th and 17th centuries. But by this time Pali was under the rathores of Marwar. It was rehabilitated by Maharaja Vijay Singh and became an important commercial centre. Pali was also the pioneer in freedom struggle. Various Thakurs of Pali under Thakur of Auwa confronted the British.

Rajput School of Chopasani

Editorial Team — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 12:09:17 +0000

By Harpreet Kaur

Rajasthan is filled with legends of Rajputs and one would love to see where it all begins in this day and age. This institute is filled with the red blooded Rajputs from the various thikanas and families many of which have lost their estates but yet retain the pride and honour.

Powlett Nobles Elgin Rajput

The walls of the hall are filled with pictures of students of yesteryears many of whom joined the First Rajput Regiment.

Although not a new institute this school still makes an impression in the mind and heart when mentioned. Begun in 1875 by Maharaja Pratap Singhji, this school was started for the wards of the Thakurs of Jodhpur state. This school was begun in the same year that Mayo College was begun.

In 1914 His Excellency Lord Hardinge of Penshurst, Viceroy and Governor General of India on 8/2/1914 inaugurated the institution. Maharaja Sir Pratap Singhji, Regent, Jodhpur State, and Lady Hardinge, were present at the inauguration, the new elegant red sandstone built in Rajput Style having an enormous façade. A red sandstone inscription reads: “This building was opened by Baron Hardinge of Penshurst, Viceroy and Governor General on 8th February, 1914.”

The school was originally named Powlett Nobles Elgin Rajput School. A carved marble monogram displays this name at the top of the main school building façade and above it is inscribed “Ran Banka Rathore” in Hindi. Four Boarding Houses were built and are called ”Hardinge House”, ”Elgine House”, “Powlett House” and the last “Pratap House”.

What makes this school special is that it has two very important institutes within this school. These include Rajasthani Sabd Kosh that was begun by Sita Ram Lalas who has been compiling a dictionary and has given 40 years of service to this institute. The other Rajasthani Sodh Sansthan which is a research institute for the scholars and researchers to those who want to discover anything about Rajasthan.

Rajasthani Sabd Kosh

Rajasthani is a rich language and the need of a comprehensive Dictionary was desperately felt. This would facilitate not only the study in Rajasthani language but also of several languages in the Indo-European languages. Renowned linguist and lexicographer Sita Ram Lalas devoted 40 years of yeoman service in the compilation of this glorious work. His efforts were supported by Shri Uday Raj Ujjwal and Pt. Nitya Nand Dadheech. The task of publication of the Rajasthani Sabad-Kosh was taken up by Rajasthani Shodh Sansthan with the inspiration of the then chairperson of the Education Committee Shri Bheron Singh ji Khejadla and Secretary Shri Vijay Singh ji Siriyari. The first volume of the Sabad-Kosh with a long preface by Sansthan’s Director Dr. Narayan Singh Bhati was published in 1962. The volume was acclaimed as a significant academic work by Indian as well as foreign scholars. The volume included two hundred thousand (2 lakh) words. Rajasthan Government and the Government of India generously funded this project of Chopasni Shiksha Samiti and the sub-committee appointed by it utilized all resources available and the contribution of former secretary Col. Thakur (Late) Shyam Singhji has to be brought on record. The sabad-kos was published in nine volumes.

This Sabad-Kosh merits distinction in including thousands of words with examples from literature, dialects, sub-dialects, religion, philosophy, vedic wisdom, astrology and agriculture. Etymologies of each entry and its formations have been traced. An improved version of the sabad-kosh has been revised, edited and published. Besides this, Dr. Saddique Mohammad has edited Muhavra-Kosh (An encyclopedia of proverbs) Sankshipta Rajasthani, Hindi sabad-kosh (A concised Dictionary of Rajasthani) and Rajasthani-Hindi Arthik and Vyaparik sabad-kosh (A Rjasthani Hindi Dictionary of Economic and commercial terms). These have been published. Presently the Rajasthani sabad-kosh bureau is preparing Rajasthani Sanskriti-kosh (A dictionary of Rajasthani Culture) which is expected to be ready for publication soon.

Rajasthano Sodh Sansthan

Rajput School of Chopasani

Rajasthan has been the “heart-land” of India there are many glorious legends of sacrifice, virility, devotion and they glorified Indian history on one hand and fascinated audiences world over through differing aspects of cultural and performing arts. Although much of its literary treasure was destroyed and plundered during different invasions, some of the pricelessly valuable manuscripts have been salvaged and preserved. Intensive research, procurement, classification and editing has gone into making this significant heritage available for posterity and prospective scholars.

The Manuscripts available for specific purpose of research. Rajasthani Shodh Sansthan was established in 1955. Dr. Narain Singh Bhati (1955-1993) was assigned the task of its establishment and structuring it. He gave it the present status and led research from the front. As on date this institute has a national reputation and is a research centre (recognized by Jai Narain Vyas University, Jodhpur for doctoral and post doctoral research in Rajasthani Language, Literature and Medieval History.

Since 1957, Government of Rajasthan has been matching 90% grant-in-aid available to this research institute of quality research. Rajasthan Sahitya Academy (Rajasthan Academy of Letters) and Government of India have been funding special programmes and projects of the institute.

Rajasthani Shodh Sansthan has a rich collection of 16734 rare manuscripts. Besides these several standard publications have attracted a number of scholars from various Indian Universities and overseas. They frequently Visit this institute over 600 of them have been benefited by the invaluable research material by now.

‘Parampara’ (‘the tradition’) is research journal quarterly published by Rajasthani Shodh Sansthan 147 special issues of the journal have been published by now. The institute has a collection of 16743 rare manuscripts, about 300 paintings of Rajput school of painting, speeches of learned speakers and research papers. The Institute guides and assists research scholars by providing catalogues of manuscripts, publications of the anthologies of the works of Rajasthani poets, compilation of Rajasthani Sabad Kosh by organising seminars and symposia on Rajasthani Literature and History. A brief description of sansthan’s activities follows for information.

Parampara, a journal

This is a quarterly publication concentrating on Rajasthani culture. These are special issues many of them collectibles like the one on Dingal-Kosh, Rajasthani Sahitya ka Aadi kaal (Ancient period of Rajasthani), Rajasthani sahitya ka Madhya Kaal (Medieval period of Rajasthani Literature), Lokgeet (Folk songs), Etihasik Baate (Historical Legends) that find a place in the University syllabus as reference books. The series have been publishing uninterrupted.

The issues contain articles on history, literature, folk literature and culture. As authenticate version have several genres like Baat, khyat, vachanika, [prosody, lexicography, grammer, interpretation, transcriptions, historical perspective, analytical study of folk literature, criticism, songs, couplets etc. Some issues have been devoted to moern Rajasthani Literature.

Check out for more information on http://chopasnishikshasamiti.org/

Jaisalmer – the golden city

Editorial Team — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 04:44:36 +0000

by Harpreet Kaur

Through the golden sands of the Thar Desert lies the city of Jaisalmer and Sonar Qila. Built from the golden colored sandstone the streets are lined with beautiful buildings that look as if they are carved from wood rather than stone. The sands of this city are more than 156 lakh years old – a heritage in itself. Jaisalmer fort or Sonar Qila is standing atop the Trikuta Hills. Built by Rawal Jaisal in 1156, this was a major post on the trade route that connected India and the west. The merchants prospered as this was the only city within the many desolate miles of the Thar desert. The city too prospered unrelentingly until the British arrived by sea and opened a new trade route that led to the decline of this desert trade route.

Rajasthan Jaisalmer Fort

Jaisalmer came into importance again with Indo-Pak war that improved the lines of communication and travel for the troops as well as the tourists, which has become the main stay of the economy here. Sonar Qila or Jaisalmer fort is a living fort, one fourth of the population lives within the fort and you will find palaces, havelis, homes, shops, workshops, hotels, ponds inside the walls. The rest live at the foot hills of Trikuta hill. The north section of the fort is surrounded by a wall constructed in 1750 and is called the Walled Town. It has four gates – Malka Pol, Amar Sagar Pol, Baron and Gadisagar, the rest have been closed.

Amar Sagar Pol is to the west and will lead you into the Gandhi Chowk, the fort entrance is beyond the central market and Gopa Chowk. These two chowks are filled with hotel, restaurants and also can be seen inside the fort. Much of the new construction is done with the local sandstone. The fort stands on the triangular Trikuta Hill and is 76 metres above the town. It is surrounded by a 9 meter wall that has 99 bastions built between 1633 – 1647.

Go through Gopa Chowk and you will find the entrance to the fort. There is another wall higher than the first here and four gates Suraj,Ganesh, Hawa and Rang Pols giving more security from intruders.

Suraj Pol was built in 1594 was an outer gate and is flanked by heavy bastions and is decorated with textile designs. Walking through the narrow roads within the fort you can see tiny houses with people, carved doors and windows and balconies. This fort too has many palaces that have been added by successive rulers and dominates the city’s skyline.The Jaisalmer sandstone is easy to carve and the dry climate has preserved the beautiful carvings through 900 years.

The buildings in the fort are built on a high plinth to keep the sand away and the beautifully carved jalis, balconies, and windows with solid thick walls which give it protection from the sun and keep the air circulating.

The Juna Mahal here was built in the 1500′s and is the oldest palace in Rajasthan with beautiful screen works. The zenana in this palace is quite plain and faces the square and is covered in false jalis/screens. The mardana and Rang mahal are located above the hawa Pol. It was built during the reign of Mulraj II (1762-1820) and contains beautiful mirror work and murals. The Sarvotam Vilas is decorated with glass mosaics and blue tiles. Nearby the Gaj Vilas was built in the 1884 and stands on a high plinth too. Moti Mahal, home to Mulraj II has floral decorations and carved doors. Beyond this palace gates lies the square which has a platform with stairs, it is here the court was held for royal guests. Here you will also find many Jain temples built between the 12th and 16th centuries. The Rajputs were devout Hindus but they let Jainism flourish.

The various Jain temples located here include a few mentioned below and each has a unique feature to its name:-

Parsavnath was built in 1417 and has a beautiful gate an ornate porch and 52 shrines around the main structure.
Rishabnath was built in 1479 and has over 600 images.
Shantinath has a group of towers that support its roof.
Astapadi – 16th century temples includes Hindu deities like Vishnu, Kali, Lakshmi decorating the temple.
Mahavir temple – has an emerald statue.
Sambhavanatha was built in 1431 and has vaults beneath that is used to store documents – Gyan Bhandar and is well known for its ancient documents.

Jaisalmer desert

Jaislamer is also regarded as a city of havelis. Built by merchants they can be found in the walled town as well as the fort. They have carved facades, jalis and over hanging balconies. The ground floor is above the street level to keep the sand and dust away. Each of them have an inner courtyard surrounded by richly decorated apartments. Close to the Amar Sagar Pol is the former ruler’s 20th century palace – Badal Mahal, and a five story tower covered with fine carvings, close to the Tazia tower.

The Salim Singh ki Haveli was built in the 17th century and is close to the fort entrance. It has beautiful peacock shaped brackets and the unique shape of the top story also gives it the name of Ship Palace. It is often closed.

Nathmal ki Haveli was built in 1885 and lies in Gandhi Chowk and was built for the prime minister. The two halves of the haveli was built by two different craftsmen. It is beautifully decorated and has elephants guarding the door.

Patwon ki Haveli was built by a group of five brothers and has beautiful murals and carved pillars. There are beautiful balconies that cover the front wall and inner courtyard which is surrounded by richly decorated rooms. This building has been declared a heritage property.

Mandir Palace was built in 1825 by Maharaj Hukum Singh who was related to the Mahraja of Jaisalmer, it is now a hotel. Maharani Palace has been restored and is open to public.

The Gadi Sagar lake is to the southeast of the city walls and the is the main reason why Rawal Jaisal established his capital here away from Lodurva. This lake now receives water from the Indira Gandhi Canal. It attracts birds from international waters and has many small shrines on its shores. There is a gate with an archway here that was built by a courtesan, to stop it from being demolished she also built a temple on top.

Excursions from Jaisalmer can be taken to:- Bada Bagh, Amar Sagar, Lodurva, Kuldhara, Kabha, and Khuri each have played important roles in the historical past of this city. While Sam Sand Dunes is 42 away. This beautiful stretch of sand is a famous spot for tourists – for camel rides, folk performers, visits to villages, and just watching the sunset.

Thar Desert National Park – is a complete ecosystem with rich fauna. The Sudashri forest area is the best place for observing wildlife. Sand dunes is less than 20 percent of the Park, which also has craggy rocks, compact salt lake bottoms, and fixed dunes.

Nearest airport is Jodhpur, this city is well connected to other cities in Rajasthan as well as India through buses and the railways. The city has many hotels to cater to your needs from basic minimum to most expensive ones. So enjoy this city to experience a heritage that is very very old.

Saving Sonar Qila – Jaisalmer

Editorial Team — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 04:45:35 +0000

By Harpreet Kaur

Jaisalmer Fort-Sonar Qila

Jaisalmer Fort or Sonar Qila is one of the largest forts in the world. Built in 1156 AD by Bhati ruler Rawal Jaisal it stands high and mighty amid the golden sands of the Thar Desert on Trikuta Hill, which has been the sight of many battles. It’s massive yellow sandstone walls are a tawny color in the day, and fades to honey-gold when the sun sets, camouflaging the fort completely among the sands of the desert.

Story goes that Rawal Jaisal built it on the behest of a hermit named Eesaal. The site of Trikuta hill chosen as his earlier capital Luderwa, 16 km was exposed.

This is also the second oldest fort in Rajasthan. It is 250 feet tall and is reinforced by imposing crenellated sandstone wall 30 feet high. It has 99 bastions, 92 were built between 1633 and 1647. The wells dug during that period still provide a regular source of water. Even today, one fourth of the city’s population resides within the fort.

Throughout you will find the subtle combination of Rajput and Islamic architectural styles. The stone work is so elaborately and delicately carved, it is hard to believe that it is actually stone, not wood. Worth checking is the Ganesh Pol, Suraj Pol, Hawa Pol and Akshya Pol.

Jaisalmer Fort, Rajasthan

During the medieval times, the city was the center point of trade routes that connected Persia, Arabia, Egypt and Africa. The fort has three layers of walls. The outer or the lower most layer is made of solid stone blocks this reinforces the loose rubble of the Trikuta Hill. The second, or middle, wall goes around the fort. The innermost, or the third, wall was the defensive wall where the Rajput warriors once hurled boiling oil and water and massive rocks at their enemies, trapping them between the second and third walls.

Ala-ud-din Khilji captured the fort in the 13th century and held it for 9 years. It was during this attack that women in the fort committed Jauhar. The second battle took place in 1541, when Humayun attacked the fort city.

The city faced recession when the major trade routes were shut and sea trade took priority. And after independence the trade routes were completely shut. But its location of being directly between India and Pakistan resulted in it seeing battle in 1965 and 1971.

Today only a quarter of the population stays within the fort in the past the entire population lived within its walls. People have built homes at the foot of the Trikuta Hills. Since a few years Jaisalmer has been on the watch list of the monuments facing degradation. It was included in the 1996 World Monuments Watch by the World Monuments Fund, and again in 1998 and 2000. Major restoration has taken place and yet a lot more is required if this glorious piece of history has to be saved from the very people that live within its walls.

Conservation urgently required

It is shambles due to poor maintenance by the authorities. Leakage of water due to poor drainage and sewage system is posing a massive threat to the foundation of the fort. The retaining wall of the fort is taking a lot of pressure and may give way. Archeological Survey of India started a technical study about renovating. A provision of Rs 10 crore has been made under Rajasthan Urban Infrastructure Development Project (RUIDP) for a new water supply and sewage system.

Faulty drainage and sewage system is leading to erosion of the soil and poses a threat to the fort foundation. A team has conducted soil tests and gathered geological data to save the foundation. A team of experts will try to stabilize the soil which is eroding from within the mountain, on which the fort is constructed.

The retaining wall of the fort comes under the jurisdiction of ASI whereas the internal area is under Municipal Corporation. The ASI is repairing the wall, which is broken at several points due to leakage. But there is no controlling the unplanned and illegal growth of buildings etc coming up within the fort which is affecting the original fort looks. The 865 years old fort is being weakened when the civic authorities are avoiding looking at new construction that gets sanctioned in the fort.

A team of ASI is also exploring the possibility of developing a modern sewerage system near Sonar Qila to provide stability to the fort.

Already the work on streamlining the sewage system is taking place while they are also thinking of replacing the telephone and electrical cables with underground ones.

A 5.3 magnitude earthquake at Mokla near Indo-Pak border gave a massive blow to the Jaisalmer Fort. The walls of the fort were damaged and raised serious concerns over the future of this marvel.

There is a huge depression in the fort near the Dhoonda Pada region. The soil of the mountain on which the fort stands is eroding. The soil being 154 lakh years old the seepage, the new construction is increasing the load on the soil which is shifting and can be dangerous to the fort.

Wall collapses become common site and although it has survived quakes of 5. And 7.7 on the Richter scale it may not survive another one. 16 of the 99 bastions are completely damaged. An earthquake of larger magnitude will see a tragedy on a very large scale.

Best is to limit the access to the fort – in new building activities, people residing within and tourists staying within. Places like America even conserve soil that is millions of years old, so why can’t we do it – in turn it will save a marvelous heritage – the Sonar Qila, its soil that 156 lakh years old and the hills that are even older.

Facts

World Monument Watch (WMW) Sonar Qila at Jaisalmer has been on its list from 1996 till 2000.

Earlier a favourite among tourists now only back packers visit.

Nearly Rs 8 crore has been sanctioned by the Rajasthan Urban Infrastructure Development Project (RUIDP), and Rs 6 crore is pending since 2002 from a WMF grant to save this 857-year-old golden sandstone fort.

Rampant encroachment, numerous illegal constructions, a faulty sewerage system combined with the rising pressure of population residing in the fort, is making the fort vulnerable.

20 years ago, the fort was untouched by tourism. Rising population and tourists have led to increased demand for water supply without proper drainage facilities. Sewage is dumped in the streets and is seeping into the foundations.

Of the 469 historic buildings, 87 have collapsed and many are in poor condition. August 1999 saw six inches of rain in 48 hours that led to the collapse of three of the 99 bastions.

British Airways woos Indian students with special travel offers

admin — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 05:32:25 +0000

Photo: British Airways

British Airways has come out with special offers for Indian students travelling abroad for studies out of Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore and Chennai. British Airways also offers each student to carry 23 kilos of free excess baggage when flying to the UK, Europe, Canada and USA. Students travelling from Hyderabad benefit from a discount of Rs 4,000 on all bookings, stated a company release.

Additionally, British Airways is extending a range of offers from its partners including, American Express, Matrix and Safari luggage. The partner offers are worth over Rs 10,000. Under the partner offers, British Airways provide special forex rates on American Express Travellers Cheques with a dual time wrist watch on purchase of cheques worth $3,500 and above, free call back to India from UK (free 255 minutes worth £89.23) and USA (free 50 minutes of talk time worth $35) on Matrix connections and a buy one, get one free offer on Safari Upright luggage and 30% off on laptop backpack.

According to industry statistics, about 160,000 students from India go abroad for higher education, every year. The UK, Europe, Canada and USA are popular destinations for Indian students.

Judy Jarvis, British Airways’ Regional Commercial Manager, South Asia, said, “ Our experience shows that students travelling abroad need to take a lot of extra baggage, especially if they are on their maiden trip. But the cost of excess baggage can be a serious problem for them. So, with this offer, we have increased the baggage limit for students and their dependents traveling with them. Clubbed together with a student aimed package from our partners, we hope to help them on their way and off to a flying start with the studies abroad.“

The offer is valid for students holding a valid student visa to the UK, Europe, USA or Canada only. The outbound travel must be before 15 November 2010. Any dependents accompanying the student can also benefit from the free excess baggage. The offer will also be available for students travelling to the UK for the medical exams (PLAB).

Pilgrim’s progress – where to indeed?

admin — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 08:53:34 +0000

By Harpreet Kaur

Pushkar Lake in Rajasthan

What do you expect when on a pilgrim, something more than you always imagined – peace, spirituality, the feeling of having touched a piece of heaven and maybe somewhere somehow impressed god that you exist to and need his attention.

But what if all this does not happen and what you see and feel leaves you mentally shocked and fatigued. You may not be able to express it but somewhere you comeback feeling dejected and disappointed except for the fact that you succeeded in completing the prayers you went for and got to see the one and only Brahma temple and idol in the world. No other such temple exists.

The place to be, to wash away your existing and non-existing sins, but here you will find no water pool just small tanks of water filled with water to complete any ceremony that you have come for. Men, monkeys and foreigners surround you. The water smells bad and its takes more than just guts to pour some on your head for ceremonial purposes.
The coconuts, flowers offered here are with a slight of the hand placed in another plate besides the pandya’s who perform the ceremonies. These coconuts make their way back to the shops after the jajman (prayeree) has gone from the ghat. They are then washed and resold in the to other tourists.

As you walk the market you are surprised at the handicrafts sold, but what will shock you are the prices that skyrocket and if challenged you get treated rudely and badly. Even though you are an Indian buying from an Indian in an Indian market, this place is just meant for the foreigners. Try asking the price of silver bangles as a case – the prompt reply you get is 4000 $. Hey this is India – if you want to sell in dollars go somewhere else! I hope the government is not deaf and dumb and certainly comes down hard on these. Pushkar is in India and is not I a foreign land that foreigners are ruling the roost here. If you want to live here then accept Indians and India…

Photo: Rajasthan Pushkar Mela

Foul-mouthed policemen and women, who barely talk in a civil manner with you, guard the Brahma temple like a treasure house. Anyhow as you go past them, you climb the stairs up to see Brahmaji – the god of creation and there he is sitting besides his consort Gayatri, whom he is said to have married to complete the yagya. The idols are in pure silver. The temple of his other two wives Saraswati and Laxmi are located on the steep hill behind this temple. Small and big temples and over a couple of hundred exists here, but you will have to search for the important ones with a teeth and comb, the rest can be easily seen.

The Brahmin in the temple certainly acts rude and pushes crowds away with the flurry of his hands and takes offerings and places them as he wishes on a table behind him. You are offered prasad and then you move out. But besides other temples within the premises there are two centuries old Shiv temples located belowground. These are ancient sites and worth a dekho, and your visit is incomplete without a visit simultaneously to a Shiva shrine which will always and have to be located within the premises.

But Pushkar is not the only problem there exists so much chaos even in Ajmer too. It seems more like a regular Sunday bazaar than the shrine of the holiest saint’s in India. Make your way through the crowded bazaar right up to the Buland Darwaza and get stopped by the security guards who refuse to listen to you till ultimately a shop keeper just inside the gate offers to keep your camera and phone in a box under his shop giving you a token for it.

Nothing remains the same, the crowd is standing out cause there is a minister who is being given special darshan. The rest of us will be treated like cattle for slaughter amidst shouts of take care of your belongings, and you get pushed in from one door and out the other with just a few seconds to catch a glimpse of the dargah of the great saint. The money you want to offer to the saint is pocketed openly by the khadim at the door, in return he hits you with a bunch of peacock feathers, rather have the saint hit us on the head with an iron rod. Your offerings are abruptly handled by the khadims inside the katera and could get thrown out for heaven sakes and not get placed where you meant it to be placed. Their clothes and style will leave you stunned.

The tombs besides the main shrine in the open air were those of his four friends have now been covered over and holds shops that sells flowers and attars. The dargah of Bibi hafiz Jamal just outside the main shrine was completely screened which no person could touch, but now has a doorway cut at the ground level and has two khadims sitting here asking people to bow their heads and put money in their hands.

It is the same with the tomb in the ahat-e-noor which was once completely covered by a screens, which is no longer seen. The degs have become a place to mint money too. The tomb site of the wives of Hazrat was also completely shut has been opened in one corner to catch their glimpse and to drink water and put money.

The whole place seems like a one big shop where blessings of gods and saints are being sold for a few rupees to the worshippers.

Where have the gods gone too, can’t he hit these people with his stick and bring them on the right path. Or has he also become deaf and dumb like the rest of us who are not bothered as to what happens here and just want to finish are work and come away as quick as possible.

Exploring Temple of Ranakpur

admin — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 07:38:59 +0000

By Harpreet Kaur

The journey to visit the temple of Ranakpur started at about 11.30am and we would have to travel for an hour and half to reach it. We were traveling by a mini van from Rani to Ranakpur, around 60kms. Ranakpur is situated approximately 96 km from Udaipur.

Built during the reign of the liberal monarch Rana Kumbha in the 15th century, this temple is huge and covers over 48,000 sq. feet area. There are three small shrines, twenty four pillared halls and eligibly domes supported by over 1444 columns.

It is said to be inspired by Kailash Parbat and indeed, when you drive through the huge gate everything is hidden behind a huge wall. Walk through the cool garden area with beautiful flowers and into the main temple complex, you are left breathless. Within the garden is the Sun Temple dedicated to Surya (the Sun God). The temple has polygonal walls, and is adorned with the carvings of warriors, horses and solar deities riding chariots.

Umpteen number of shikharas crowd the top section of this famous temple. Strict rules on security, baggage’s, and cameras leave you irritated and wanting, but it is all for good measure indeed. You will not be allowed to take pictures of the gods but I saw many foreigners take pictures with zoom lenses and video cameras and they were not refused. We still suffer from the malady of ‘gori chamadi’ is best.

Behind the ticket counter is a entire complex of small rooms for the Jain sadhus and sadhvis who wish to stay there. After buying the tickets, paying for the cameras and leaving the mobiles behind etc, one is made to remove the shoe before you can climb the stairs into the temple. The temple has entrance on all four sides, but there is an anomaly which may raise a doubt in your mind – which I will explain later.

The Shikharas make a beautiful picture that create a rise and fall with the help of small and tall ones mixed within each other giving you a feeling of watching a mountain range. With the Aravalli’s making a beautiful backdrop. The outside limestone walls are carved with intricate designs all reflection of the Hindu temples.

Climbing the stairs with a platform after every dozen or so stairs give you a feeling of climbing a hill, after reaching through and entering the main hall one is left awe struck. The entire temple seems to be held up with pillars of which none two are alike.

It is one of the five Jain pilgrimages. The main temple has a Chaumukha shrine dedicated to Adinathji, the first Jain tirthankara.

The columns are intricately carved having nymphs playing the flute, in various dance postures are a beautiful sight to behold. The assembly hall has two big bells weighing 108 kgs that are rung at said times.

The corridor around the temple has mandapas (porticoes) with various types of carved images. A shikhar (spire) over each mandapa. The temple has four small shrines, and rises to three storeys. The shrines have 80 spires supported by 420 pillars.

The main temple is faced by two other temples dedicated to Parasvanath and Neminath. These have exquisite figures similar to Khajuraho sculptures.

Begun in the 14th century the temple took over 50 years to complete under the auspicious orders of Rana Kumbha, ruler of Mewar. Dedicated to Adinath, the temple also has smaller temples inside dedicated to Neminath, Parsvanath and the Suryadev temple within the premises but outside the main temple area.

You will enjoy reflecting deeply within yourself while watching the green Aravalli hills behind, the cool and quiet atmosphere within from the balconies or mandapas located at intervals for tired pilgrims to rest. You feel one with yourself, facing east there is a small shrine located on a hillock close to the main temple. It is said to be dedicated to a sadhu who sat here in meditation. It also has a miniature structure or copies of temples version of the route the sadhu may have followed on his journey till he reached here which is marked with footsteps climbing the hills, steps or in temples.

A kilometer behind and above the Ranakpur temple and within the hills is a beautiful small shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva visited by but a few who know. It is a hard climb uphill, with no other way of reaching it, but through the thick jungles – only for dedicated worshippers of lord Shiva.

There are also many stories that revolve around this temple basically all are questions – some say it is a Hindu temple donated to the Jains on an happy occasion by the ruler of Mewar proof of which lies in the small mandapa on the outside of the temple to the east – said to either hold a garuda or a nandi; a priest there said it once held the statue of a Garuda and this was a Vaishnavaite temple, pillars have conch shells and pushpalatas carved on them. There is also yalis made on the edges of the roofs, plus there is a small statue placed inside what is a square holder that is very similar to what usually holds a linga, the tree in the centre with a temple below.

The Rajput rulers were well known for their generosity indeed and have been known to give away acres and acres of land and temples to every religious sect in times of joy and celebration. This, a temple is a grand dream that was made into a reality and is today a part of our heritage.

There are one beautiful carvings made out of a single marble rock for eg, the 108 heads of snakes and numerous tail with Adinath standing below it. A masterpiece not found elsewhere and in it you will not find the end of the tails and their face is seen pointing in all four directions.

The temple is said to have been inspired by a dream that Dharna Shah had of a celestial vehicle. The architect was Deepaka and an inscription near the main shrine states:- in 1439 Deepaka, an architect, constructed the temple at the direction of Dharanka, a devoted Jain.

Ranakpur is located in Desuri tehsil, near Sadri town, in Pali district of Rajasthan. It is located midway between Jodhpur and Udaipur, in a valley on the western side of the Aravalli Range.