Karni Mata Temple

DESHNOK IS A SMALL VILLAGE SITUATED 32 KM SOUTH FROM BIKANER CITY. IT IS CONNECTED BY NATIONAL HIGHWAY AND RAIL.

THIS 600 YEAR OLD TEMPLE IS DEDICATED TO KARNI MATA, A FAMOUS MYSTIC OF HER TIMES, BELIEVED TO BE AN INCARNATION OF GODDESS DURGA. LEGEND HAS IT, THAT SHE FORETOLD THE VICTORY OF RAO BIKA. HERE, RATS ARE CONSIDERED HOLY, OWING TO THE BELIEF, THAT THE SOULS OF THE DEVOTEES OF THE MATA, ARE RESIDENT IN THESE RATS AND, CONSEQUENTLY, THEY MUST BE LOOKED AFTER. THE HUGE SILVER GATES TO THE TEMPLE, AND THE MARBLE CARVINGS WERE DONATED BY MAHARAJA GANGA SINGH.

THE HOLY LAND OF DESHNOK WAS FORMED BY TAKING THE CORNER PLOTS OF TEN NEAR BY VILLAGES ABOUT 387 YEARS AGO (AS PER ENGLISH CALENDER). AT THE TIME LOCAL PEOPLE USED TO CALL IT AS DUS-NOK. AS THE TIME CHANGED IT HAS BEEN CONVERTED INTO DESHNOK.

THE GREATEST ATTRACTION OF DESHNOK IS THE TEMPLE OF SHRI KARNIMATA. PEOPLE FROM FAR AND WIDE COME TO PAY RELIGIOUS TRIBUTE TO SHRI KARNI MATA. THROUGHOUT THE YEAR THERE’S AN INFLUX OF PILGRIMS. OUTSIDE RAJASTHAN, PLACES LIKE GUJRAT, MADHYA PRADESH, HARYANA ARE AREAS WHERE MATA IS GREATLY RESPECTED AND LOVED. DURING THE TIME OF NAVRATRI THOUSANDS FLOCK TO MATA’S TEMPLE ON FOOT. INNUMERABLE PEOPLE COME ON FOOT FROM NEARBY PLACES LIKE BIKANER, CHURU, HANUMANGARH, SHRIGANGANAGAR AND NAGOR. MATA’S ENIGMA ATTRACTS PILGRIMS FROM ALL OVER. IT IS BECOMING ONE OF THE HOLIEST AND MOST FAITHFUL PLACES IN INDIA. SHE IS NOT SOME SUPERIOR FORCE STANDING AND WATCHING, INSTEAD SHE STAYS EVER READY TO HELP HER DISCIPLES IN WHATEVER WAY SHE CAN.

THIS MIRACULOUS TEMPLE IS LOOKED AFTER BY A SPECIAL CASTE CALLED “CHARAN”

THE CHARANS ARE THE REAL HEIRS OF SHRI KARNI-MATA SINCE LAST 500 YEARS. SRI KARNI-MATA WAS MARRIED TO DEPAJI IN THE YEAR 1401(AS PER ENGLISH (CALENDER). HER MOTHER’S NAME WAS DEWAL BAI AND FATHER’S NAME WAS MEHA JI. SHE WAS BORN IN A VERY ORDINARY FAMILY. SINCE SHE WAS THE REINCARNATION OF DURGA, SO SHRI KARNIMA ADVISED HER HUSBAND TO MARRY GULAB BAI HER YOUNGER SISTER, TO GIVE HIM A HEIR. DEPA JI AND GULAB BAI HAD FOUR SONS NAMING NAGA, PUNA, SHITHA AND LAKHAN. THEY BECAME THE ACTUAL HEIR OF KARNI MA.

THE FIRST FOUNDATION STONE OF JODHPUR FORT IN 1515 (AS PER HINDI CALENDER) WAS KEPT BY SRI KARNI MATA HERSELF.

IN DESHNOK THERE IS ALSO THE GREAT SHRI KARNI MUSEUM (OPPOSITE THE TEMPLE). IT IS A BIG HALL 52 X 36 FEET. A BEAUTIFULMARBLE FLOOR TO WALK ON, BIG AND BEAUTIFUL PAINTIGS ADORN THE WALLS FOR THE PLEASURE OF THE TOURISTS. THERE ARE 22 ANTIQUE PAINTINGS DEPICTING MATA AND HER LIFE. IT IS OPEN TO VISITORS FROM EARLY MORNING TILL THE EVENING

Ajmer Sharif

Moinuddin Chishti (Urdu/معین الدین چشتی) (Persian: چشتی‎,Urdu: چشتی‎ - Čištī) (Arabic: ششتى‎ - Shishti) was born in 1141 and died in 1236 CE. Also known asGharīb Nawāz "Benefactor of the Poor" (غریب نواز), he is the most famous Sufi saint of the Chishti Order of the Indian Subcontinent. Moinuddin Chishti introduced and established the order in the subcontinent. The initial spiritual chain or silsila of the Chishti order in India, comprising Moinuddin Chishti,Bakhtiyar Kaki, Baba Farid, Nizamuddin Auliya (each successive person being the disciple of the previous one), constitutes the great Sufi saints of Indian history.

Early life and background

Moinuddin Chishtī is said to have been born in 536 A.H./1141 CE, in Chishti in Sistan region of East Persia.^[2] He grew up in Persia. His parents died when he was fifteen years old. He inherited a windmill and an orchard from his father. During his childhood, young Moinuddin was different from other children and kept himself busy in prayers and meditation. Legend has it that once when he was watering his plants, a revered Sufi, Shaikh Ibrāhim Qundūzī (or Kunduzi) -- the name deriving from his birthplace, Kunduz in Afghanistan—came to his orchard. Young Moinuddin approached him and offered him some fruits. In return, Sheikh Ibrāhīm Qundūzī gave him a piece of bread and asked him to eat it. The Khwāja got enlightened and found himself in a strange world after eating the bread. After this he disposed of his property and other belongings and distributed the money to the poor. He renounced the world and left for Bukhara in search of knowledge and higher education.

He became the Murid (disciple) of Usman Harooni.

Journeys

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Moinuddin Chishtī visited the seminaries of Samarkand and Bukhara and acquired religious learning from the eminent scholars of his age. He visited nearly all the great centers of Muslim culture, and acquainted himself with almost every important trend in Muslim religious life in the Middle Ages. He became a disciple of the Chishtī saint 'Uthmān Hārūnī. They travelled the Middle East extensively together, including visits to Mecca and Medina.

Journey to India

Moinuddin Chishtī turned towards India, reputedly after a dream in which Prophet Muhammad blessed him to do so. After a brief stay at Lahore, he reachedAjmer along with Sultan Shahāb-ud-Din Muhammad Ghori, and settled down there.^[4] In Ajmer, he attracted a substantial following, acquiring a great deal of respect amongst the residents of the city. Moinuddin Chishtī practiced the Sufi Sulh-e-Kul (peace to all) concept to promote understanding between Muslims and non-Muslims.

Establishing the Chishtī order in India

The Chishtī order was founded by Abu Ishaq Shami (“the Syrian”) in Chisht, some 95 miles east of Herat in present-day western Afghanistan. Moinuddin Chishti established the order in India, in the city of Ajmer in North India.

Moinuddin Chishti apparently never wrote down his teachings in the form of a book, nor did his immediate disciples, but the central principles that became characteristics of the Chishtī order in India are based on his teachings and practices. They lay stress on renunciation of material goods; strict regime of self-discipline and personal prayer; participation in Samā' as a legitimate means to spiritual transformation; reliance on either cultivation or unsolicited offerings as means of basic subsistence; independence from rulers and the state, including rejection of monetary and land grants; generosity to others, particularly, through sharing of food and wealth, and tolerance and respect for religious differences.

He, in other words, interpreted religion in terms of human service and exhorted his disciples "to develop river-like generosity, sun-like affection and earth-like hospitality." The highest form of devotion, according to him, was "to redress the misery of those in distress – to fulfill the needs of the helpless and to feed the hungry."

It was during the reign of Emperor Akbar (1556–1605) that Ajmer emerged as one of the most important centers of pilgrimage in India. The Mughal Emperor undertook an unceremonial journey on foot to accomplish his wish to reach Ajmer. The Akbarnāmah records that the Emperor's interest first sparked when he heard some minstrels singing songs about the virtues of the Walī (Friend of God) who lay asleep in Ajmer.

Moinuddin Chishtī authored several books including Anīs al-Arwāḥ and Dalīl al-'Ārifīn, both of which deal with the Islamic code of living.

Quṭbuddīn Baktiyār Kākī (d. 1235) and Ḥamīduddīn Nagorī (d. 1276) were Moinuddin Chishtī's celebrated Khalīfas or successors who continued to transmit the teachings of their master through their disciples, leading to the widespread proliferation of the Chishtī Order in India.

Among Quṭbuddīn Baktiyār's prominent disciples was Farīduddīn Ganj-i-Shakar (d. 1265), whose dargāh is at Pakpattan, Pakistan. Farīduddīn's most famous disciple was Nizāmuddīn Auliyā' (d. 1325) popularly referred to as Mahbūb-e-Ilāhī (God's beloved), whose dargāh is located in South Delhi. Equally famous was his other disciple Ali Ahmed Alauddin Sabir whose dargah is in Kalyar Sharif. The Sabiri silsila is spread far and wide in India and Pakistan and to this day devotees and their descendants add the title of Sabri to their names

From Delhi, disciples branched out to establish dargāhs in several regions of South Asia, from Sindh in the west to Bengal in the east, and the Deccan in the south. But from all the network of Chishtī dargāhs the Ajmer dargāh took on the special distinction of being the 'mother' dargah of them all.

Dargah Sharif

Dargah of Moinuddin Chishti, Ajmer

Main article: Dargah Sharif

The dargah (shrine) of Chisti, known as Dargah Sharif or Ajmer Sharif is an international wakf (endowment), managed under the 'Dargah Khwaja Saheb Act, 1955' of Government of India. The Dargah Committee, appointed by the Government, manages donations, takes care of the maintenance of the shrine, and runs charitable institutions like dispensaries, and guest houses for the devotees. The dargah, which is visited by Muslim pilgrims as well as Hindus and Sikhs as a symbol of intercommunal harmony.

In popular culture

His poetry in praise of Imam Hussein ibn Ali is well known, specially the following verse:

Shah Ast Hussein Badshah Ast Hussein

Ruler is Hussain, Emperor is Hussain

Deen Ast Hussein Deen Panah Ast Hussein

Faith is Hussain , guardian of faith is Hussain

Sar dad na daad dast dar dast e yazeed

Offered his head and not the hand to Yazid

Haqaaq e Binaa e Laa iLaha Ast Hussein

Indeed, Hussain is the foundation of La-ilah(the declaration that none but ALLAH is Absolute and Almighty)

The song "Khwaja Mere Khwaja" from the Hindi film Jodhaa Akbar was inspired by the life and deeds of Moinuddin Chishti.

Anasagar Lake in Ajmer

The city of Ajmer in the state of Rajasthan is admired by thousands of tourists every year. Predominantly, the city of Ajmer is visited by travelers for the holy place of pilgrimage known as “Dargah Sharif” or “Ajmer-e-sharif”. On the other hand, one more eye-catching aspect of the city that also plays a key role in the adornment of Ajmer is the illustrious AnaSagar Lake. The exquisiteness of the non-natural lake, Ana Sagar, in Ajmer is greatly appreciated by travelers of different cities. Bordered by several gorgeous pavilions and good-looking “Daulat Bagh” gardens, Ana Sagar Lake is one of the most scenic places in Rajasthan. This lake has been a stupendous attraction of Ajmer starting from 11th century. Ana Sagar Lake has also handed round to the origin of Ajmer city. Wrapping a significantly huge area, AnaSagar Lake sprawls over 13 Kilometers. Even though, the lake gets dried out during summer season of the year, it acts as a salvation of Ajmer that fetches liveliness for the locals. At present, AnaSagar Lake serves as a key reason for the innumerable tourists to Ajmer city. In all probability, Ana Sagar Lake in Ajmer is the principal and well-liked Lakes in India.

The History of Ana Sagar Lake:

The picturesque Ana Sagar Lake in Ajmer was established by emperor “Anaji Chauhan”, who is the grandfather of “Prithvi Raj Chauhan”. Hence, the lake is named after the sovereign Anaji chauhan. King Anaji Chauhan built this lake at some stage between 1135 -1150 AD. He built this lake for the betterment of the civilization. Basically, AnaSagar Lake was constructed by raising a dam across the “Luni or Lavanavari River”. The catchments of the lake were constructed with the huge support and assistance of the community. The arresting Pavilions or “Baradari” that are nearby the lake were constructed in 1637 by the Mughal emperor Shahjahan. The Baradari is essentially a Marble stone pavilion. The “Daulat Bagh Gardens” that surrounds the Ana Saga Lake were established by Mughal sovereign Jehangir. The circuit residence that’s placed on the hilltop in the vicinity of Ana Sagar Lake once served as the British Residency. The High court has prohibited the edifice in the catchment regions of the Ana Sagar Lake areas in order to maintain the charismatic splendor of the lake.

Familiar attractions near Ana Sagar Lake:

Delimited by several dazzling pavilions and attractive “Daulat Bagh” gardens, Ana Sagar Lake is one of the most scenic places in Rajasthan. The beautiful lake of Ana Sagar is delimited by several other attractions such as the “Khobra Behroon” temple which is placed on the southern region of the lake. Other sightseeing attractions that are in close proximity to the AnaSagar Lake are Taragarh Fort, Adahi-Din-Ka Jhopra, Prithviraj Smarak and Nasiyan. In addition, you can also spot a serene islet at the core of Ana Sagar Lake. This island can be reached by hiring a water scooter or a boat. One can hire a boat or water scooter at the eastern side of “Dault Bagh” to enjoy an admirable ride. Tourists and visitors can take leisurely strolls around the lake on the extensive Dault Bagh. Don’t forget to pay a visit to all these attractions as well.

Best time of the year to visit Ana Sagar Lake:

Tourists can be in awe of the absolute beauty of Ana Sagar Lake if, they visit this place during October and March months. This period of the year is when the weather remains fresh, breezy and agreeable. Also, the water level in the lake will move up to the mark offering a beautiful view.

How to reach?

Tourists can reach AnaSagar Lake easily. This place in Ajmer is greatly linked to the different parts of the country through various transportations such as, Bus, Train and Airlines.

Conclusion: Long ago, the Ana Sagar Lake was a non-natural construction that served as a helping hand for the former citizens of Ajmer. Even today, AnaSagar Lake doles out as sustenance of exquisiteness and splendor to the locals and tourists also. Presently, this lake is a major reason for the increasing number of tourists to Ajmer.

Visit to Udaipur

City Palace, Udaipur

Main article: City Palace, Udaipur

Standing on the east bank of Lake Pichola is a massive series of palaces built at different times from 1559. The balconies of the palace provide panoramic views of the "Jag Niwas" (the Lake Palace Hotel). They also have views of Jag Mandir on one side and the city of Udaipur on the other. Its main entrance is through the triple-arched gate - the Tripolia, built in 1725. The way now leads to a series of courtyards, overlapping parations, terraces, corridors and gardens. There is a Suraj Gokhda, where the maharanas of Mewar presented themselves in the times of trouble to the people to restore confidence. The Mor-chowk (Peacock courtyard), gets its name from the mosaics in glass decorating its walls. The chini chitrashala is noteworthy while a series of wall paintings of Krishna are on display in Bhim Vilas. There are numerous other palaces such as Dilkhush mahal, Sheesh mahal, Moti mahal and Krishna vilas - in memory of a princess of striking beauty who poisoned herself to avert a bloody battle for her hand by rival princes. Now the palace contains many antique articles, paintings, decorative furniture and utensils and attracts thousands of visitors every day.

The former guesthouse of the city palace, Shiv Niwas Palace and the Fateh Prakash Palace have been converted into heritage hotels.

Lake Palace

Main article: Lake Palace

The Lake Palace was built in 1743-1746. It is made of marble and is situated on Jag Niwas island in Lake Pichola. It was originally built as a royal summer palace, but is now a luxury 5 Star hotel, operating under the "Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces" banner.

Jag Mandir

Main article: Jag Mandir

Jag Mandir is another island in Lake Pichola which is known for its garden courtyard. Shah Jahan took refuge here while revolting against his father. There is a restaurant run by the HRH group of hotels.

Monsoon Palace

Main article: Monsoon Palace

Monsoon Palace also known as Sajjan Garh Palace The summer resort of the Maharajas is atop the hill overlooking all of the lakes. This palace had a way to collect rain water for consumption all year around.

Jagdish Temple

The Jagdish Temple is a large Hindu temple in the middle of Udaipur. It was built by Maharana Jagat Singh I^st in 1651 A.D. It is an example of Indo -Aryan architecture. This temple is a great example of architecture and art. The area is the main tourist place in the city. You can also find some special kind of things like rajasthani dress, paintings etc.

Sagasji Mandir

Near Gulab Bagh, there is a famous temple of Sagasji Bawji. Thousands of people visit this temple and get desired results. Sagsaji Bawji is Lok Devata worship by people with faith (Bhakti).

Fateh Sagar Lake

Main article: Fateh Sagar Lake

Fateh Sagar Lake is situated in the north of Lake Picholas. It was originally built by Maharana Jai Singh in the year 1678 AD, but later on reconstructed and extended by Maharana Fateh Singh after much destruction was caused by heavy rains. In 1993-1994, the water vanished from the lake, but in 2005-2006, the lake regained its water.

Lake Pichola

Main article: Lake Pichola

Lake Pichola has two islands, Jag Niwas and the Jag Mandir. This lake is 4 km long and 3 km wide, originally built by Maharana Udai Singh II. There are many ghats, like the bathing and washing ghats, which can be approached through boats from the City Palace of Udaipur (Bansi Ghat). In the heart of the lake the Lake Palace stands, which is now converted into a heritage palace hotel. The lake remains fairly shallow even during heavy rains, and gets dry easily in times of severe drought.

Saheliyon-ki-Bari

Main article: Saheliyon-ki-Bari

Sahelion ki Bari was laid for a group of forty-eight young women attendants who accompanied a princess to Udaipur as part of her dowry. The gardens set below the embankment of the Fatah Sagar Lake have lotus pools, marble pavilions and elephant-shaped fountains. These fountains are fed by the water of the lake gushing through ducts made for the purpose.

Gulab Bagh and Zoo

Main article: Gulab Bagh and Zoo

A rose garden laid out by Maharaja Sajjan Singh is situated near the palace on the east side of Lake Pichhola. A library in the garden has a collection of ancient handwritten manuscripts and books. Some of the part of the Satyarth Prakash have been written in this library. Styarth Prakash stup is situated in Gulab Bagh. Within the garden, there is a zoo with tigers, leopards, Chinkara gazelle, birds, and many wild animals. Children can enjoy mini train, track of which covers the main part of the garden and the zoo.

Doodh Talai

A rock and fountain garden and the sunset point from which one can enjoy the sunset view in Lake Pichhola and a panoramic view of the old city. Also one can enjoy the Aerial tramway (rope way) which connects one of the dudh talai gardens to Karni Mata temple.

Bharatiya Lok Kala Mandal

A museum of folk arts. It also hosts puppet shows in its auditorium.

Maharana Pratap Memorial or Moti Magri

Atop the Moti Magri or Pearl Hill, overlooking the Fatah Sagar Lake is the memorial of the Rajput hero Maharana Pratap with a bronze statue of the Maharana astride his favourite horse "Chetak".^[9]

Bohara Ganesh Ji

This temple is situated near old railway station (Thokar) and M L S University. This is old and famous Ganesh Temple with standing statue of Shree Ganesh Ji considered very fruitful (Chamatkarik).Thousands of Bhaktas(devotees) come here every Wednesday.

Nehru Garden

This is a park situated in the middle of Fatah Sagar Lake. This park covers about 41 acres (170,000 m²), with flower gardens and a lily pond. It was inaugurated on the birth anniversary of the first Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru. The garden overlooks the ancient Moti Mahal of Maharana Pratap and gives a view of the Aravalli hills on three sides.

Bagore-ki-Haveli

This is an old building built right on the waterfront of Lake Pichola at Gangori Ghat. The haveli now stages Rajasthani traditional dance and music.

Ahar Museum

Main article: Ahar Cenotaphs

Located about 2 km east of Udaipur is a cluster of cenotaphs of the Maharanas of Mewar. There are about nineteen cenotaphs of Maharanas cremated there. One cenotaph is that Maharana Amar Singh, who reigned from 1597 to 1620. Nearby is also Ahar Museum, where on display is limited but very rare earthen pottery, as well as some sculptures and other archaeological finds. Some pieces date back to 1700 BC, and a tenth-century metal figure ofBuddha is a special attraction.

Shilpgram

A crafts village located northwest of Udaipur, Shilpgram hosts an annual crafts fair which is one of the biggest in India; people from different states in the country have stalls showcasing their art and crafts work.^[10]

Neemach Mata Temple

This temple is located on a green hill in the Dewali area of Udaipur. It has both stairs and an uphill slope way to climb, which is around 800 meters. Below this area is located new bohra colony named as Burhani Nagar,and a new Masjid is named as Burhani Masjid.This area is very peaceful,very near to Saheleion ki badi and Fateh Sagar.

Udaipur Solar Observatory

Main article: Udaipur Solar Observatory

Asia's only solar observatory, the Udaipur Solar Observatory, is situated on an island in the middle of the Lake Fatah Sagar.

Sukhadia Circle

Sukhadia Circle (Square) is a large roundabout in the city's northern suburb of Panchwati, on the road to Ranakpur and Mt. Abu. The Circle is a popular recreational centre and meeting place.

ZRTI - Zonal Railway Training Institute

The Zonal Railway Training Institute, a premier training centre of Indian Railway and the biggest of its kind in Asia, situated amidst lush greenery in a vast area with its simple, but impressive arc shaped building and pleasant campus lay-out is in tune with the aesthetics of the City of Lakes.

Rajiv Gandhi Park

Rajiv Gandhi Park is located on Rani Road that links to Shilpgram and Fateh Sagar. The park has different sections that portrays variety of garden along with animal statues and fountain.

Birla Mandir

Built in:	1988 AD
Built By:	B.M Birla Foundation
Visiting Hours:	8.00 AM to 12.00 Noon; 4.00 PM to 8.00 PM everyday

The Birla Temple, originally known as Lakshmi Narayan Temple, and is situated below the Moti Dungri Fort in Jaipur. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi, this temple is a proud architectural landmark of Jaipur. Built in pure white marble, the Birla Temple is unlike the traditional ancient Hindu temples, and is built with a modern approach. Inside this magnificent shrine, beautifully sculpted idols of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi, as well as other Hindu Gods and Goddesses, can be seen. Delicate carvings of Hindu symbols, and ancient quotes from the Geeta and the Upanishads ornament the walls of this fascinating temple. One can also recognize the mythological events engraved on the walls. Apart from the religious idols, pictures and figures of several religious saints, philosophers and historical achievers, like Socrates, Buddha, Zarathustra and Confucius, are also included in the temple. A work of art, this temple truly represents architectural beauty, in a modern form.

Birla Mandir Jaipur

History Of The Temple
According to history, the Birla temple was built on the land given to the Birla family by the Maharaja, for just a token sum of one rupee. One of India's most famous business families, B.M Birla Foundation, built this temple in the year 1988.

Layout Of The Temple
Located beneath the Moti Dungri Fort, the Birla Temple has three domes to represent the three religions of India; a tribute to the secular nature of the country. The Birla temple is bordered by lavish green gardens that highlight the splendour of the temple.

Best Time To Visit
The best time to visit this temple is between the months of October to March. In this temple, 'Janmashtami', the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna, is celebrated with great enthusiasm and gusto; that is the time you would witness the glamour of this temple at its fullest scale. The regular visiting hours are between, 8.00 AM to 12.00 Noon and 4.00 PM to 8.00 PM every day. At night, one can witness the temple illuminated beautifully, against the dark skyline.

Nearby Tourist Attractions
Apart from the main temple, the Birla Temple complex incorporates a majestic museum that displays the ancestral possessions of the Birla family, and a stunning garden with a shopping complex. Various items are available at this shopping complex, perfect for tourists who wish to make their trip memorable. Situated very near the Birla temple is another famous temple of Jaipur, the Ganesh Mandir or Moti Dungri Temple. The people who visit the Birla Temple usually visit the Ganesh Mandir as well.

The Birla Temple has a calm and serene atmosphere that compliments this spiritual site. The temple's exquisite structural designs and elegant carvings represent the sophisticated architectural formation of a modern India. The Birla Temple is aptly located in the city, and is bounded by a luxurious garden setting, making this temple a major attraction, for tourists everywhere.

Albert Hall Museum

The Albert Hall Museum is a one of finest museums of 19th century indo-sarcenic style located in the heart of the city. It attracts every visitor of Jaipur.

Overview

Built Year	19th Century
Built By	Sawai Ram Singh-II
Renovated By	Thomas Holbein Handley
Designed By	Sir Samual Swinton Jacob
Nearby Attractions	City Palace, Jantar Manter, Birla Mandir

History

Albert Hall, located a few hundred meters away from Pink city, facing the City, welcomes every visitor of the city. Albert Hall is a museum, which is supposed to be the oldest in the Rajasthan state. It was designed by Colonel Swinton Jacob in 1876 to welcome King Edward VII as Prince of Wales on his visit to Jaipur. The Albert Hall Museum in Jaipur is one of the finest museums of the 19th Century. It was envisioned by Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh-II & bought to life by Thomas Holbein Handley. The Albert Hall building was designed by Sir Samual Swinton Jacob. It is now a house of antiquities.

Attractions

In 1885, it was opened for public. Albert Hall galleries the antique articles on its display including textiles, paintings, craftworks, pottery, arms and weapons, culture of the state and an Egyptian mummy that belongs to the Ptolemaic Epoch. It also shows famous carpet, which depicts the Persian garden carpet with running water streams.

The lower part of the musuem was redesigned in 1960 to completely display the culture and the heritage of the state which includes the lifestyle of the different tribes.The central part of the museum displays the Rajasthani culture and music. The greenary of the Albert Hall is the most eye-catching part of the visit. Albert Hall houses the Central Museum, which has numerous pieces of art. So it is fitting that the building itself be a piece of fine art, an architectural marvel.

Albert Hall is located as such a place where you can not bypass it while you visit differenct parts of the pink city.

Albert Hall Museum also provide shelter to a large number of pigeons. Pigeons can be seen on terrace of the hall all round the year.

Location

The building is situated in Ram Niwas Garden outside the city wall opposite New gate of the pink walled city Jaipur. Being in the center of the city, one can reach the Alber Hall Museum easily. The best time of the day to visit hall is evening, where one enjoy the architectural beauty and enjoy horse ride as well.

Jaigarh Fort Jaipur

Jaigarh Fort (Rajasthani/Hindi: जयगढ़ क़िला) is situated on the promontory called the Cheel ka Teela (Hill of Eagles) of the Aravalli range; it overlooks the Amber Fort and the Maota Lake, near Amber in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India.The fort was built by Jai Singh II in 1726 to protect the Amber Fort and its palace complex and was named after him.

The fort, rugged and similar in structural design to the Amber Fort, is also known as Victory Fort. It has a length of 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) along the north-south direction and a width of 1 kilometre (0.62 mi). The fort features a cannon named “Jaivana”, which was manufactured in the fort precincts and was then the world's largest cannon on wheels.The palace complex (Laxmi Vilas, Lalit Mandir, Vilas Mandir and Aram Mandir) located ), an armoury and a museum.Jaigarh Fort and Amber Fort are connected by subterranean passages and considered as one complex.

Geography

Left: Jaigarh Fort as seen from Amber. Right: View of Aravalli Hills from Jaigarh Fort

The Jaigarh Fort, located on one of the peaks of the Aravalli range of hills is built about 400 m above the Amber Fort.^[1] It provides an excellent of view of Aravalli hills and the Amber Fort down below.

The fort is 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) away from Jaipur city. It stands on a short diversion from the Jaipur-Delhi Highway, which leads to the Jaivana cannon at the Dungar Darwaza ('Darwaza' means "gate"), the same road leads to another important fort called the Nahargarh Fort. It can also be approached from the Amer Fort over a short climb along a steep hill track, arriving at the Awami Gate near the fort museum.

History

Dara Shikoh secured the high impregnable Mughal Cannon outpost of Jaigarh Fort, in the year 1658 during the Mughal war of succession.

Amber was known in the ancient and medieval period as Dhundhar (meaning attributed to a sacrificial mount in the western frontiers) and ruled by the Kachwahas from the 10th century onwards. The history of Amber and Jaigarh is indelibly linked to these rulers, as they founded their empire at Amber.

Cannon foundry

During the reign of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, Jaigarh Fort, which is located 150 miles south-west of Delhi, became one of the world's most efficient cannon foundries mainly due to the abundance of iron ore mines in the vicinity of the fort. The cannon foundry Jaigarh Fort had a massive wind tunnel that sucked air from the high mountains into its furnace creating temperatures as high as 2400 °F, the heated air would melt the metal. The liquid molten metal would fill a reservoir chamber and into a cannon mold in the casting pit. Most of those cannons were massive, mostly 16 ft long and had to be prepared within a single day. The Rajput also built a large ingenious mechanical device that had a precision gear system driven by four pairs of oxen, the device was used for hollowing out the cannon barrels. When the Mughal war of succession broke out in 1658 Dara Shikohsecured the cannon outpost of Jaigarh Fort until he was defeated and executed by his younger brother Aurangzeb.^[7] Later however, the Mughal EmperorMuhammad Shah appointed Jai Singh II as the official Mughal Qiladar of Jaigarh Fort according to a Firman, ultimately Jai Singh II is known to have molded the great Jaivana Cannon by utilizing the important foundry and devices inside Jaigarh Fort.

Description

Jaigarh Fort water supply

Jaigarh Fort

The fort is highlyortified with thick walls of red sandstone and is spread over a layout plan with a length of 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) and a width of 1 kilometre (0.62 mi); it has an impressive square garden (50 metres (160 ft) square) within it. Ramparts in each corner are sloping and provide access to the upper level structures. The palaces have court rooms and halls with screened windows. A central watch tower on a raised ground provides excellent vistas of the surrounding landscape. The Aram Mandir and the garden within its courtyard, on the northern side of the fort complex, has a triple arched entrance "The Awani Darwaza" which was refurbished in recent times to get fine views of the Sagar Lake (an artificial lake); water from this lake used to be transported to the fort in pouches loaded on elephant backs and also by humans carrying water pots. The triple arch gateway with fortification walls above it is painted red and yellow. It is oriented in an east west direction and faces west. The architectural features are of Indo-Persian style with cyclopean walls built with dressed stone and plastered with lime mortar.There are two temples within the fort precincts, one is the Ram Harihar temple of the 10th century and the other one is the Kal Bhairav temple of 12th century vintage.

Charbagh garden at Jaigarh Fort

The water supply facilities in the fort was met by creating water harvesting structures in the vicinity in the Aravalli catchment and conveying water through a canal on the west side of the fort over a 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) distance (seen at site) to be stored in three underground tanks below the central courtyard (one tank was used by prisoners for bathing, the second was used to store gold and jewellery and the third one was empty; the largest tank had capacity to store 6 million gallons of water. These tanks also created a stir in the recent political history of the fort when they were searched for hidden treasure stashed for gemstones and jewellery (said to have been kept hidden safely by the royal family), which turned out be untrue. It was also rumoured that a treasure belonging to the Kachwaha rulers of Amber had been stacked in the fort precincts. The search had been ordered during the Emergency declared by the Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi during 1975–1977. A futile search was also launched, in 1977, of all the buildings in the fort, by the Income Tax department, using metal detectors. There was also a Parliament Question on this issue where a question was posed whether a "Search for treasure carried out from 10th June 1976 till November 1976 by the Income Tax Authorities at Jaigarh Fort on the Jaipur Delhi Road was closed to ordinary traffic for one or two days so as to make way for military trucks carrying treasures to the residence of the then Prime Minister, Smt. Indira Gandhi?".^[11] However, the search carried out for treasures by an Army unit at Jaigarh Fort, after a three-month search had found no treasures. It was then conjectured that Sawai Jai Singh probably used the treasure to build the city of Jaipur.

Armoury

The armoury chamber here has a wide display of swords, shields, guns, muskets and also a 50 kilograms (110 lb) cannon ball. Pictures on display are old photographs of Jaipur's Maharajas namely, Sawai Bhawani Singh and Major General Man Singh II who served in the Indian Army as senior officers.^[5]

Museum

The museum is located to the left of the Awami Gate; it has exhibits of photographs of the Royalty of Jaipur, stamps and many artefacts, which include a circular pack of cards. A spittoon of 15th century vintage and also hand drawn plan of the palaces are seen in the museum.

Jaivana cannon

The Jaivana cannon

Jaigarh Fort was a centre of artillery production for the Rajputs. It is now home to the Jaivana – at the time of its manufacture in 1720, it was the world's largest cannon on wheels of the Early Modern Era.The foundry where it was manufactured is also located here. A plaque at the entrance to the enclosure where the Jaivan Cannon is displayed gives relevant information on the history of the Cannon, its size and use. This cannon was never used in any battle as the Rajput rulers of Amber had friendly relations with the Mughals. This testifies to well-preserved features of fort. The cannon was fired only once with a charge of 100 kilograms (220 lb) of gunpowder and when fired covered a distance of about 35 kilometres (22 mi).

The Jaivana was manufactured during the reign of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II (1699–1743) at a foundry in Jaigarh. The barrel is 20.19 foot (6.15 m) in length and weighs 50 tonnes. It has a diameter of 11 inches (280 mm). The barrel has decorations carved on it which depict trees, an elephant scroll and a pair of birds (ducks). It is mounted on wheels and has the mechanism of two back wheels mounted on roller pin bearings, to turn it 360° and fire in any direction. A tin shed was built to protect the cannon against weather. The cannon had a range of 22 miles and used 50 kilograms (110 lb) balls.