The Fortified wonder - Jaigarh Fort

Jaigarh Fort, also known as the “Victory” is located 15 Km away from Jaipur in the Indian state of Rajasthan. It was constructed by Sawai Singh of Jaipur in 1726 in order to tighten the security of Amber and Jaipur. If you are looking for magnificence and opulence then Jaigarh falls short of it but it scores largely on another merit .i.e. Fortification.

Jaigarh-fort

It is one of the most well fortified structures in India. In fact, it is one of the few military structures of medieval India preserved almost intact, containing palaces, a granary, a well-planned cannon foundry, several temples, a tall tower and a giant mounted cannon-the Jain Ban (Jaivan) the largest cannon in the world.

Named after Jai Singh II, the Jaigarh and placed in the north of Jaipur, this fort is structurally similar to the Amber Fort. The fort stands above the Amber Palace and was never captured, the most probable reason for it being largely intact.

A view of Jaigarh Fort (Top) and Amber Fort (Bottom)

The Building & Cannon Tales!

Among the buildings in the fort complex it boasts of an armoury having a large collection of swords and other weapons. Then there is a watchtower at an elevated part of the fort, offering a panoramic and imposing view of Amber and the neighbouring area. Further the central courtyard contains three enormous underground water tanks, one used by prisoners for bathing, another one to store valuable jewels of the palace and one, which was empty.

Amber Town – a Panoramic View

The major highlight of the fort is the Jaivan Cannon. It is believed to be the largest cannon in the world and was strategically located to fire at the enemies or the attackers to the fort.

The Fort also houses a museum which has a great collection of antique coins, photographs, weapons and the articles of royal rulers. Visitors can also see the royal chairs and some instrument which are now placed in the Shubhat Niwas of the meeting Hall of Warriors. Other buildings worth a watch are gardens, a granary, the 10th century temple of Ram Harihar and the 12th century temple of Kal Bhairav.

Amber Palace, Jaipur

Concluding

Overall it is a fort worth watching for the panoramic view of the city including the amer fort and jaipur city, the fortification of fort largely intact till date and the cannon. It is definitely worth a visit if you are planning to visit the lesser explored destinations along with the more famous tourist destinations along Jaipur.

Jaivan, the cannon, is believed to be the largest cannon in the World

Timings and Charges Details

Best time to visit: October to February

Timings: Open 9.00 a.m – 4.30 p. m.

Entry ticket: Rs.50 for foreign tourists.

Rajasthan tourism: Shekhawati Tour

A trip to Rajasthan would be incomplete without visiting the stunning Shekhawati. Widely believed to be the land where the “Vedas” were written, Shekhawati has immense historical significance. The landscape here might not be too appealing and the weather might get a bit unpleasant but Shekhawati still manages to earn itself the sobriquet of the “open art gallery of Rajasthan” because it is the only region in the world with such an enormous concentration of frescoes.

Colorful-Shekhawati

These frescoes are influenced by the Persian and Mughal schools of painting. The motifs depicted are borrowed both from ancient mythology and popular culture. The exquisitely painted Havelis spread across four major towns: Jhunjhunu, Mandawa, Nawalgarh and Fatehpur.

Haveli in Mandawa

Notable among the Havelis would be: Gulab Rai Ladia’s Haveli in Mandawa, Podar Haveli in Nawalgarh, Modi Haveli in Jhunjhunu and Nadine Le Prince Haveli in Fatehpur.

Gulab Rai Ladia haveli

Podar Haveli in Nawalgarh

Haveli Le Prince Nadine in Fatehpur

Among the famous forts are: Mandawa Fort, which is now a heritage hotel; Dundlod Fort: it has been converted into a world famous library of European paintings and Mukundgarh Fort, which is a magnificent palace.

The fort of Mandawa was founded in the 18th century. The fort dominates the town with a painted arched gateway adorned with Lord Krishna and his cows

Dundlod Fort studded with monumental nostalgia of Shekawats, the warrior Rajputs who with stood the onslaught of Mughal hordes

Where do I Stay?

Shekhawati tourism is well-known for its world-class heritage hotels and its warm hospitality. The place offers a variety of options for accommodation. If you wish to experience the comfort and grandeur of a Maharaja’s lifestyle, check into the fabulous Alsisar Mahal. Situated at a distance of 23 kms from the district headquarters of Jhunjhunu, it has the perfect blend of modern luxury and age old culture. Besides, it is located at the heart of the region so that it becomes easier for you to explore different places without getting too exhausted.

Alsisar-Mahal

You can also engage in a delightful encounter with nature by staying at one of the eco-friendly resorts with mud huts and cottages.

So much to do!

During your stay at the Havelis, feast your eyes on the splendid frescoes, get mesmerizing view of the countryside and the Local Bawari (water tank) by taking camel cart rounds of the region, participate in bonfires and barbeques, enjoy bird-watching and kite-flying sessions with local people, dance to the tune of Ghoomar, listen to the musicians play the sarangi and discover yourself in this vibrant melange of history, art and culture.

Shekhawati-Village-life

Shopper’s stops:

Shekhawati is known for its brightly coloured Lac bangles which are made at small makeshift shops outside the Havelis. Other good buys would be the handmade puppets and postcards, Rajasthani shoes (jooties) etc. Shops in Mandawa, along the Sonthaliya Gate sell a lot of souvenirs which make pretty gifts. All the handicrafts are made by the rural women of the region.

Eat this!

If you are a vegetarian, Rajasthan is the place to be! Ranging from the traditional dal, bati and churma to the spicy lahsun ki kachori and the gorgeous street food, Rajasthani food will give you the best feeling under the soft palate! Though the predominant food is vegetarian, they also serve delightful non-vegetarian dishes.

Rajasthani-Dal-Bati-Churma

When to visit?

Shekhawati attracts a lot of tourists between the months of October and March, when the weather is quite amiable. It tends to get very hot during the months of May-June and so it’s best to avoid visiting the region during the summers.

Highlights of the Season:

The 17th Annual Shekhawati Heritage Festival is scheduled to be held from 9th to 12th February, 2013. The main venues are: Sikar, Jhunjhunu, Nawalgarh and Churu. Rural Rajasthan comes alive during this part of the year. There is a lot of firework, cultural events, games and competitions. Camel and jeep safaris are also organised as part of the main festivities.

Cultural-show-in-shekhawati

See also: 

The Unique Mosques, The Deer Sanctuary, Khatu Shyamji Temple.

A quick Tip: 

It gets quite chilly during winters, so do not forget to carry your woollens!

We hope that you find the above information helpful in planning your trip and give us a chance to answer more of your travel-related queries in the future. Best Wishes!

Rajasthan Tourism: Things to do in Bikaner

Every Indian is familiar with the famous ‘Bikaneri Bhujia’, a typical fried delicious snack preferred all over the country. The Bikaneri Bhujia derives its name from its geographic origin – a beautiful  town in the state of Rajasthan, which is steeped in history, royalty, tradition and of course delicious snacks & sweets

Camel-Ride-in-Bikaner

Bikaner, formerly the princely state of Bikaner is a desert town and is most famous for its gastronomic pedigree. However, for a travel enthusiast, this town makes for an interesting destination, having the interesting mix of desert and royalty. Here’s a list of the main interesting places  in this royal desert city.

Making-of-Bikaneri Bhujia

Junagarh Fort

The imposing Junagarh fort built between 1588 -1593 AD by Raja Rai Singh (1571 – 1611 AD) is the centre of attraction of this city. The fort has a 986 m long wall with 37 bastions and two entrances. The Suraj Pole (Sun Gate) is main entrance to the fort.  This forst , unlike the other forts in Rajasthan,  was not built on an elevated platform but at a ground level. Among the noteworthy attractions within the Junagarh Fort include the various palaces such as Anup Mahal, Hawa Mahal, Chandra Mahal, Phool Mahal, Badal Mahal, Diwan-e-Khas, Dungar Mahal, Ganga Mahal and Rang Mahal.

Junagarh Fort, Bikaner

Karni Mata Temple

Also famously known as Rats temple, this temple is dedicated to Karni Mata -an incarnation of Durga. It is located en route to Bikaner in a place  called Deshnoke. The most curious feature of this temple is the rodents who scamper freely within the premises and are fed by the devotees. They are regarded sacred and if they touch the devotees, it is considered an auspicious sign.

Karni Mata Temple, Bikaner

Rats-Karni Mata Temple, Bikaner

Jain Temple

Considered as one of the beautiful shrines in Bikaner, this Jain temple is dedicated to the 5th tirthankar of the Jains, Shri Sumatinathji. It was constructed in the 15th century. The Jain temple has been constructed using beautifully carved sandstone and white marble.

Sumatinathji-Jain-Temple

Bhandeshwari Jain Temple

This Jain Temple is among the major tourist attractions of Bikaner. This ancient temple of Bikaner was constructed by a Jain merchant, Bhanda Shah in the 15th century. It is dedicated to the 23rd Jain tirthankar, Parsvanathji. The shrine is built with red sandstone and is divided into three floors.

Bhandeshwari Jain Temple

Lalgarh Palace

The palace is one of the key legacies of the city that was built by Maharaja Ganga Singh in 1902. He built this palace in the loving memory of his father.

Lalgarh Palace

The palace was designed by Sir Swinton Jacob and is famous for it’s intricate craftsmanship such as the latticework and filigree work in sandstone. The palace combines the architectural works of Rajput, Mughal and European styles.

Gajner Palace

This palace is among the key attractions of Bikaner. It is located on the embankment of a lake and was built by erstwhile ruler of the Bikaner territory, Maharaja Ganga Singh Ji. Originally, this Palace was a hunting and retreating lodge during his reign. It has been built in red sandstone and has intricately carved pillars, jharokhas and screens.

Gajner Palace, Bikaner

Ganga Singh Museum

It is a popular sightseeing attraction of Bikaner, which exhibits an extensive array of archaeological discoveries from the dating back to Harappan and early Gupta period. The museum was established by erstwhile ruler Maharaja Ganga Singh in 1937.

Ganga Singh Museum

Camel Breeding Farm

This interesting farm, known as Government Camel Breeding Farm, happens to be one of the largest camel breeding farms of Asia. It is situated in Jorbeer at a distance of 8 kilometres km from Bikaner main city. This breeding farm was founded in 1984 by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research and is spread over an area of 2,000 acres of semi arid land; the centre is engaged in breeding and training of camels.

Camel-drinking-water-in-Camel Breeding Farm

There are many palaces, temples and places of interest in and around this city, so skip the usual touristy destinations in Rajasthan and head to Bikaner.

Camel-Resting-in-Camel Breeding Farm

Indian Wildlife: Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary

As rightly said, “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” The Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary in Karnataka is one such place which does justice to the above statement. The Sanctuary is rich in diverse flora and fauna.

Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary is the largest wildlife sanctuary in Karnataka, India

A mixture of typical moist deciduous and semi evergreen forests, this place is the ideal place for nature lovers to visit. The Sanctuary is a home to a variety of animals such as Deer, Sloth bear, Elephant, panther, Tiger, Wild dog, Bison, jackal, Giant flying squirrel etc, to name a few.

Malabar Giant Flying Squirrel

The Sanctuary has become a paradise for a large number of migratory as well as native birds. It has around 400 species of rare and old birds including the magpie robin, golden backed woodpecker, crested serpent eagle, green Imperial pigeon, Indian White Rumped vulture, Green bee eater; Green dove, thus earning the name, ‘Birding Paradise.’ Ah, the sound of those exotic birds singing! The Malabar pied Hornbill is the most sighted bird in this sanctuary. Tourists also come here to look at the most famous animals in the Sanctuary, being the Black panthers, Slender Loris and King Cobra.

Black Panther - Anshi National Park

Deer – Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary

Bird - Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary

A variety of wildflowers are also seen in the Sanctuary. Lotus, the National flower of India, scientifically known as ‘Nelumbo Nucifera’ is one of the famous flowers sighted here. The Sanctuary is also famous for its tea, rose trees and unidentified medicinal plants.

Lotus – The State Flower

Many reptiles also find their home in this Sanctuary. Snakes, turtles, tortoises, Water Monitor lizards, Mugger crocodile are a few such reptiles. No wonder crocodile spotting is one of the sought after activities in the Sanctuary!

We have already seen how Dandeli wild life Sanctuary adds to the beauty of Karnataka. But there’s another important place which draws a lot of tourists to the beautiful state of Karnataka, The Kali River. The Kali River is close to the Sanctuary and is famous not only in Karnataka, but in India as a whole for rafting. A coracle ride down the River Kali is a memorable experience. The White Water rafting is a once in a life time because one can encounter large crocodiles, turtles and also go fishing. Thus, Dandeli offers kayaking, canoeing, water rafting on the Kali River. What more can a tourist ask for?

Rafting-Kali River

Tourists can also opt for trekking in the jungles of the Sanctuary and thus explore the steep slopes, hilly forests and beautiful river valleys. What’s more amazing is that there is more fun to come! Tourists can also go on other adventures like cycling, mountain biking, crocodile spotting, nature walks, bird watching, safari and the list goes on and on. Wouldn’t feel like going back home would you? Ah, how can I forget the night camping, where you can stay in beautiful tents, cook your own food, dance around the bonfire and sleep outside staring at the beautiful stars. Sounds wonderful to me!

Jungle Safari - Dandeli Wildlife Reserve

A section of the Sanctuary was carved out to form the Anshi National Park, which also has a wide variety of flora and fauna. Dandeli Sanctuary and Anshi National Park were together granted the status of tiger reserve by Project Tiger. The saddest thing is that there are just 13 tigers left now. Dandeli is also famous as an educational and industrial hub in Karnataka. But, the rapid expansion of various industries here is causing a lot of damage to the forests.

Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Parks in Karnataka

Dandeli is called the backbone of Karnataka. Even foreign tourists are drawn to this state because of the beauty of Dandeli. I wouldn’t be shocked if many of you have already packed your bags and left for Dandeli! Ciao.