Saturday, November 22, 2008

Jaipur Excursions

Sanganer
Located 16 km from Jaipur, Sanganer is famous for its beautiful Jain temples. The most famous temple is the Shri Digambar Jain temple. This temple has a stone shrine with three pinnacles. There is an idol of Parshwanath with 7 serpent hoods in the center. However, the main idol of Adinathji is enshrined in the temple behind this. Sanganer is also famous for its crafts and hand-printed textiles.

Bagru
Situated on the Ajmer road, Bagru is approximately 30 km from Jaipur. It is mainly known for its Bagru prints. In the Bagru prints, a wooden block is carved with the required design. This carved block is dipped in color and pressed on the cloth to transfer the design. Vegetable dyes are used for the purpose.

Samod
Jaipur excursion tour must include a visit to the Samod fort. It is located approximately 40 km from the city of Jaipur. The fort once housed the Nathawat family that served as the Prime Ministers of the Jaipur Royal Court. The road to the fort passes through a village, giving a peek into the rural life of Rajasthan. On the inside, the fort gives a reflection of medieval architecture. Exquisite marble work, antiques and colorful art adorn the inside of the fort. Samod Palace also has a Durbar hall embellished with glass and minakari work.

Abhaneri
Approximately 95 km from Jaipur, on the Jaipur-Agra road, is the village of Abhaneri. The village is famous for its marvelous baoris (step wells) and Harshat Mata Temple. There is a legend associated with the village. It is believed that the village got its name from Goddess Harshat Mata. The Mata, depicted in a joyous mood, is believed to spread brightness or "abha" all around. Thus, the name Abhaneri (originally Abha Nagri).

Shekhawati
In the royal times, the wealthy merchants used to get huge mansions (havelis) constructed as their residence. Shekhawati is mainly known for its painted Havelis. The word Shekhawati means the garden of Shekha, named after its ruler Rao Shekha. Also called the 'open art gallery of Rajasthan', Shekhawati has Havelis rich in artistic tradition. The havelis are ornamented with various forms of fine art. Especially famous are their frescoes that depict mythological themes and themes of huge animals.

Sambhar
94 km west. It is famous for the country's largest inland salt lake. It is also known for holy Devayani tank, beautiful Shakambhari Devi temple, the palace and the nearby Naliasar. Sambhar lake is also famous for the illusion of water ( mirage ) during noon times.

Bairath
86 km on the Shahpura-Alwar road. It contains the relics and structures of Mauranyas, Mugahl and Rajput periods. The excavated remains of a circular Buddhist temple, unique in Rajasthan and the earliest structural temple in India, make it an important historical place. Akabar the great, constructed a mint and his son Jahangir a beautiful Mughal garden and a remarkable monument with painted chatris and walls.

Ramgarh Lake
32 km north-east. It is famous for its huge artificial lake created by constructing a high bund amidst tree covered hills where the citizens throng in a large number for picnic during the rainy season. The temple of Jamwa Mata and the ruins of the old fort still reminds of its hoary antiquity.

Tonk
Tonk - 96 km away from Jaipur, Tonk is a small and peaceful town. Once ruled by the tribes said to be descendents of ‘Pathans’ from Afghanistan, the highlight of the city is the Sunehri Kothi or the Golden Bungalow. The monument has stark and simple exteriors but its lavish and ornamental interiors are quite charming. The other monuments that are worth passing through are the old buildings that were once occupied by the British office.

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