Sunday, October 08, 2006

TEMPLES AT A GLANCE

GANG SHYAMJI TEMPLE Rao Ganga was married to Padamawati, daughter of Rao Jagmal of Sirohi. The statue of Krishna that Jagmal worshipped, was very much liked by Princess Padmawati. After marriage, while leaving Sirohi, Padamawati asked her father for the statue but Jagmal had refuse because he also loved this statue very much. Then Padmawati asked Gangaji to take the statue from Jagmal in dowry. On doing so, Jagmal sent Pandit Jeevraj along with the statue. Gangaji established the statue in the fort and it came to be known as Ganga Shyamji. After some days it was transferred to Ghan Shyamji Temple in Old Dhan Mandi and later a big temple was made for it in Old Dhan Mandi which is now known as Gang Shyamji Temple.

After the death of Jaswant Singh in 1679, Marwar went under direct control of Aurangzeb and his soldiers started destroying the Hindu Temples. The Pandits of Gang Shyamji temple hid themselves with the statue for 3 days and 3 nights. Aurangzeb's military there. In 1929, king Umed Singh again renovated the temple and got gold work done on the main door. Today besides Gangshyamji, this temple has statues of Jagdamba, Pawan Purta, Suryadeo, Shiv darbar and life-sized stautes of Narsingh Mehta and Meera. The walls have pictures of life stories of Lord Krishna and Rama.

KUNJ BIHARI TEMPLE

Kunj Bihari Temple in Katla Bazar was made by King Vijai Singh's Paswan Gulab Rai in 1779. She was a Vaishnav follower of Gokuliya Gosains. Under her influence only, the king banned animal slaughter and ordered all the mead sellers to leave Marwar. Kunj Bihari seems to be a replica of Ghanshyamji temple. The top of the temple and its entrance are examples of architectural excellence. On left of the entrance are massive elephants. After climbing the stairs and crossing the corridor, there is Pataleshwar Mahadeo temple on the left, located two floors below. It has a statue of Shiva, a shiv linga and Adi Vinayaka. They have been kept in a manner that they can be seen from top only. Walking ahead, one reaches facing it is Lord Krishna in Garbh Griha. The outer wall of the Garbh Griha has pictures related to Lord Krishna's life, while the walls surrounding it have pictures related to Lord Rama's life. Krishna's stories include marriage of Devki Vasudeo, Kans Vadh, Raslila of Krishna and Radha, serving of Amrut of Dhruv, serving of wine to Rakshasas, Gods preaching Arjun, welcome of sudama, Gajraj Udhar etc. This is one of the grand temples of Jodhpur. Puja is performed six times a day. Special functions are arranged on Janmashtmi, Annkut, Diwali, Holi, Radha Asthmi etc.

RAJ RANCHHODJI TEMPLE

Raj Ranchhodji temple was made by Queen Jadechi Rajkanwar after the death of her husband king Jaswant Singh, with an expenditure of one lakh rupees. Rajkanwar was the daughter of king Jamvibha. After the king's death, due to her old age she made Krishna’s temple in Jodhpur only. That time this temple was made outside the city wall on a high dune near Baiji ka Talab. Now this temple is just opposite Jodhpur railway station. Because the queen never came out of the fort, she used to come and stand on the wall of the fort during dusk. The pujaris used to get the holy flame on the rear door of the temple for the queen. She never came to the temple herself. By including the first name of the queen 'Raj' this temple became Raj Ranchhodji Temple. It was completed in in 1905. There were very small rooms made in the ground floor of the temple. Where now many shops have opened. One can reach up climbing the staircase where two Torans (Ornamental Gate) are made, one of red sandstone and other of white stone. There is an open space around the stairs and higher up are the Baradaris. Major part of the temple is made of red sandstone, carved with beautiful filigiri work. The heart of the temple (Garbh Griha) has the statue of Rajchhodji made of black marble. This statue was made after consultation with the pujaris of Dwarika. This grand temple has green, yellow and blue glasses fixed on its main door. 21 festivals are celebrated in this temple every year, including Janmashtami, Annkut, Gowardhan puja etc. In rainy season a festival of swings is also celebrated. The Lord is swung in a 10 feet high silver swing. Near the temple, a sarai was made for Rani's guests and travelers which are known as Jaswant Sarai.

ACHAL NATH SHIVALAYA

Achal Nath Shivalaya was constructed by Nanak Devi, queen of Rao Ganga. The construction was completed on 21st May 1531. A large water reservoir called Bawari was made near the Shivlinga which is known as Ganga Bawari. During Rao Jodh's period this place was full of trees and shrubs. Some Nagas came and started staying here. One day they saw a cow standing on the sand, with milk trickling from her teats. When the hermits dug the place, they found a Shivling there. The Nagas kept worshipping this Shivling and made a small room around it. Many groups of Nagas kept coming and going from here. When the Nagas started appointing Mahantas, they made their permanent residence here. It is said that due to 6th Mahanta's blessing Rao Ganga had a son. As a result Queen Nanak Devi made this temple, with increasing population and the expansion of the city, the temple came in the middle of the city and is presently located in Ada Bazar.

The temple ground has the cenotaphs of Durgapuri, Daulatpuri and chainpuri Naga's, who went into eternal meditation. This place has cenotaphs of seventeen Naga saints. The Shivalaya earlier had Jagnath ling with Achalnath. But after renovation Narbhadeshwar Shivling was established with Achalnath. Statues of Jagdamba, Parvati and Jagnath Shivling were established on the platform near the samadhi. The new temple has statues of Minakshi, Parvati, Gajanand and Shadanan. The Garbh Griha, Mandap and Kirtan Bhawan of the temple are made of carved Chhitar stone. The Garbh Griha is surrounded by artistic white statues of Ram, Laxman, Sita and Hanuman.

SIDDNATH
Siddnath Shiv temple is located between Takhat Sagar hills. On the unprepared road going from the right of filter house Jodhpur. Chopasani road, on crossing the stairs made by cutting rocks, one can reach Siddhnath temple. Many years ago it was an absolutely deserted place. And because of that only, a hermit Veetragi Narain Swami started staying here. He was a highly worshipped and respected saint, known in the nearby areas. Once handicapped saint named Gurishanker who was on a pilgrimage and was visiting all religious places, came to this palace. On Gaurishanker's request Narain Swami became his Guru. It is said that because of his pain Gauri Shankar was very talkative. When Narain Swami told him that a hermit should not speak so much, he attained a long silence and prayed all the time. Later he was known as Nepali Baba. He had only four fingers in each of his hand and foot. After attaining silence, he alone made a big temple by cutting stones, which is now known as Siddnath. He used to tumble six feet long rocks by his feet and holding the chisil in two fingers of his feet with a hammer in his hand, he shaped the rocks. One can imagine the religious power of that saint by the beautiful carvings of gods and goddesses on the stones. Each rock has a statue of Shesh Naag and Lord Shiva carved on it. The stones had names of Lord Rama, Krishna and Shiva carved in six different languages. The stones have been joint by scissoring and no cement or any other mixture used to joint them.

MANDAL NATH Approximately 22 kms from the Jodhpur railway station, is Mandal Nath Mahadev Temple surrounded by Bhaugishali hill ranges, on Dahijar Osiyan road, near Pali village. It is said that Mandalya Rishi prayed in these hills. One day he saw a Shiv ling and started worshipping it. Later it came to be known as Mandal Nath. According to a book "Nainsi Ri Khyat”, Ram, Laxman and sita on their return after the exile, stopped on these hills, along with their Vanar Sena. The Vanar Sena rested here and worshipped the Shivling but when Lord Rama was worshipping the shivling all the monkeys could not see it. It is said that, then due to blessings of Lord Shiva, all the stones of the hills turned into Shivlings. After Shri Ram reached Ayodhya, Gangaji appeared from this place in the form of Nagadari.

SHANISHCHAR JI KA THAN
On the road from Jalori Gate to Siwanchi Gate, before Umaid Hospital is the famous Shanishchar temple which attracts thousands of people om Saturdays. To avoid the anger of Shanishchar, son of Surya, people offer oil, sweets, money and light an oil lamp. In olden times, this temple was located near a cremation ground and it had a well. The main temple garbhgriha has a black statue of Shani Deo which is offered dry fruits, sugar balls and marigold flowers. Two small temples around the garbhgriha have statues of Lord Shiva and Krishna. Just below the statue of Lord Shani is a natural statue, which was the first statue of the temple. Since a long time the temple compound is being used for picnics, parties and marriages.

GANESH TEMPLE AT RATANADA
About 150 years ago a teacher Rodidas in a place called Gorunda saw a statue of Vinayakji in the hills of Ratanada. The statue was eight feet high and five feet wide. Rodidas started worshipping this statue. He used to give it a bath and worship it every day. The area around it was cleaned and used as a place for worship. Later he made a temple and started staying there. Today this temple has a large number of followers in Jodhpur. Before starting any function, like marriage or child birth, first a small statue of Vinayakji is put in a pot at this temple and taken home. It is symbolic of inviting Ganeshji for the work and asking him to make it success. After the function is over Ganeshji is brought back to the temple . On every fourth day of the Hindi month (Dhaturthi) devotional songs are sung and sunderkand is read out in the temple. A large numbers of followers come on Diwali, Rakshabandhan, Janamashtmi and Ganesh Chaturthi.

posted by shubhamsinghal @ 1:56 PM 3 comments

Friday, September 15, 2006

JASWANTTADA

The Jaswant Thada,located half way up the interminably long road that climbs onwards to the fort, is the traditional cremation ground of the rulers of Jodhpur. Taking pride of place amongst the ornamental gardens and chattris is the fabulous white marble. It was made by king Sardar Singh in 1906 in the memory of Kind Jaswant Singh II. Before Jaswant Singh II, the funeral of the kings was done in Mandore, but as per his wihses, Jaswant Singh II last rites were performed in the plains on the banks of Deo Kund, His memorial was later made here with a budget of Rs. 2,84,678. Since then, the funeral rites of all kings are performed here only. This beautiful building looks like a fairytale castle in the midst of the clouds. The best of the three buildings of Jodhpur-Mehrangarh, Umed Bhawan Palace and Jaswant Tada are living symbols of bravery and grandeur of Jodhpured in the medieval era.
This dastle sings the music of the morning with dawn and looks like a messenger of calm and peace in moon light. The building is made on a plateform of red sandstone. It has pictures of the Jodhpur rulers. half way up the interminably long road that climbs onwards to the fort, is the traditional cremation ground of the rulers of Jodhpur.

posted by shubhamsinghal @ 8:53 PM 1 comments

MEHRANGARH FORT
The Mehrangarh Fort Rao Jodha laid the foundation of Mehrangarh Fort on 13th May 1459. Earlier he wanted to make this fort on Massuria hill but due to shortage of wather he decided to make it on Panchotia Hill. Here, there was a waterfall near which hermit Chidiyanth stayed. The hermit was asked to move from there so that the fort's foundation could be laid. But the hermit refused to move. Not finding any other suitable place the king started construction of the fort there only. The angry hermit left the place but cursed the king saying that he would not be able to enjoy the water due to which the hermit had to leave that hill. It is said that due to that curse Jodhpur has always faced shortage of water. Rao Jodhaji later made a temple of Shiva and a pond in place of the hermit's hut.
The Fort surrounded by a wall 12 to 17 feet wide and 20 to 150 feet high. Maximum width of the fort is 750 feet wide and length 1500 feet. This magnificient fort on a 400 feet high hill can be seen from a great distance. It is said that when the sky becomes clear after rains, Mehrangarh can be seen from 100 kms from Jalore Fort. According to astrology, the name of this fort is Chintamani but it was famous as Mihiragh. Mihir means sun. This Mihirgarh has now changed to Mehrangarh. Because it's shape is like that of a peacock's tail, it is also called Mayur Dhwaj Fort.
The fort encloses the palace, gates, temples, artillery, memorials, armoury etc. During Jodha's regin the area under the Fort was called Jodhaji ka Falsa. These were the precincts within which only the king could ride on a vehicle and none else.The Fort has temples of Chamunda, Murli Manohar and Anand Dhan attract the citizens today also. Chamunda was the family Goddess of Pratihar rulers. When Rathores started ruling Marwar, they also accepted Chamunda as their family Goddess and whrshipped her before starting any important work or on any festival.

posted by shubhamsinghal @ 12:40 PM 1 comments

Monday, August 21, 2006

The Umaid Bhawan Palace was built during the 1920s and '30s as a famine relief project when Maharaja Umaid Singh started a food for work program. The palace took 16 years to complete- no wonder, then that with its 347 rooms, it is one of the largest private residences in the world. Popularly called CHITTAR PALACE by the local public. Made on the Cihttar Hills in South Eastern direction of the city. The Cost of this building was four crore, out of which two crore was paid out as wages. It is a huge marble and pink-yellow stone palace . Designed by H.C. Lanchester, the President of the Royal Institute of British Architects in London, the Palace was built during the time of Maharaja Umaid Singh. The Palace was constructed by over 3,000 people over a period of fourteen years. The palace has eight dining rooms, an underground swimming pool and a scenic garden. Half of the Palace is now converted into a luxury hotel. The present ruler converted it into a fine luxury hotel with an in house museum while retaining the use of one wing as the private residence of the erstwhile royal family.One part of the palace has been opened for public where a few pictures, arms, swords and other things used by the royalties have been exhibited.The palace has an area of 26 acres, out of which constructed area is 3.5 acres and 15 acres have been devoted to lawns.

This is the image of Umaid Bhawan Palace

UMAID BHAWAN PALACE

posted by shubhamsinghal @ 8:18 AM 0 comments

An Introduction of Jodhpur City

Jodhpur is the second big city of Rajasthan. Jodhpur is the capital of the Marwar state, it was founded in 1459 A.D. by Rao Jodha.The district jodhpur is spread lengthwise 197 kms. North-south and breadthwise for 208 kms. East-west Bikaner and Jaisalmer districts are located North of Jodhpur, while Barmer and Pali are in south.Total area of district is 22850 squares kms. Maximum area located in Thar desert with large sand dunes. With dry and hot climatic conditions, the winter sets in November and lasts till junuary , this being most suitable period for turoism.In winter the temperature downs to 2 to 3 Degree where in summer it goes to 47 to 48
degree.The river luni in the district flows during the rainy season for a distance of approximately 122 km. Various types of stones found in this district can be seen on the buildings here. Pink stone,red stone and lime stone are the major mineral extracts.In medieval times, Jodhpur lay on the trade routes between Central Asia and the ports of Gujarat, and became a major trade centre during the 16th century. People of this city is living under the wathcful gaze of Mehrangarh FOrt.Most of the houses of this city paints with blue colour thats why it is called blue city. Jodhpur has wonderful building in which royal family resids. This building is a very big building and having ancient art of Jodhpur. The name of this building is Umaid Bhawan palace.Jodhpur is the last link between the semi arid land and the harsh inhospitable desert. The old city is surrounded by a high 10 km stonewall with eight gates.Each gate bearing the name of the town to which it leads. It is still an important trading centre for wood, cattle,camels, cotton, salt and agricultural crops as it was in the past.The city has many hitorical tamples and Buildings. The people of this city are very religious.The city is known for many historical events.

posted by shubhamsinghal @ 8:05 AM 1 comments

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