Bappa Rawal Panorama which was inaugurated by former CM Vasundhara Raje one and a half year ago has now been opened for public visit.
The Panorama is located at Mathatha, a small village located in Girwa Tehsil of Udaipur district in Rajasthan. It is situated at a distance of 22km from Udaipur.
Constructed by Rajasthan Heritage Conservation and Promotion Authority, Government of Rajasthan, the Bappa Rawal Panorama is located in the Mathatha in Udaipur. It was inaugurated in August 2018 by the then Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje.
The panorama has been opened to showcase the lives of the great Gods, saints, kings and their personality.
The Bappa Rawal Panorama has been created under the guidance of Shri Onkar Singh Lakhawat, Chairman of Rajasthan Heritage Conservation and Promotion Authority.
According to Mr Lakhawat, the panorama is showcasing the various aspects of Bappa Rawal’s life in 2D, 3D and print modes. The panorama is built near the tomb of Bappa Rawal and a total cost of 1 crore 71 lakhs has been incurred on the construction of the place.
Chief Executive Officer Tikam Chand Bohra has done the script of writing and display plan of this panorama. The glorious history of Rajasthan has been presented in an inspirational way.
Bappa Rawal was a ruler of the Mewar region in Rajasthan. He is also described as a member of the Guhila (Gahlot) clan of Rajputs and thus an ancestor of the Sisodia dynasty. Some of them consider him as the founder of the Guhila dynasty.
Located amidst abundant natural beauty, the Bappa Rawal Panorama in Mathatha near Udaipur boasts a huge 15 feet high statue of Bappa Rawal riding on a horse. The captivating statue is made of gunmetal.
The entry tickets for the panorama are priced at Rs. 10 for adults and Rs.5 for kids below 12 years of age.
Located just 156 KM (3-hour drive) from Udaipur is Banswara. Banswara is immensely beautiful, having a lot of places to explore. One such mystical and mysterious place is Ram Kund in Banswara. Having said that it’s a kund, you might infer that it would be a small pond. Let me reconfirm your beliefs that this place is not a small pond but a cave.
Let us read through to know about this amazing place.
All about Ram Kund:
Ram Kund, also known as ‘Phati Khaan’, is situated at a distance of 25 km from Banswara. It is nestled amidst a barren and deserted area. It is surrounded by hills and located inside one of them. The whole cave inside the hill has a reservoir and turquoise waters flow through it, which is truly a mesmerizing thing to watch noting the fact that we are in Rajasthan.
source: rajasthan tourism
The cave is situated 300-400 meters below the ground, so one has to climb up the hill and then go inside where the cave can be found. The temperatures fall down drastically when one enters the cave; the outside temperature can be taken as double when compared to the temperature in the inside of the cave. The water in the reservoir is always freezing cold.
Mythology related to Ram Kund:
According to the Hindu mythology, Lord Ram with his wife Sita and brother Laxman visited this place during his exile and drank water from the reservoir. This is the reason why the place is known as Ram Kund. Not only this, it is also believed that Tatya Tope, a great Indian Freedom Fighter in the year 1857, used this place for hiding from the British and making war strategies against them.
source: sightseeings
Best time to visit Ram Kund:
The best time to visit this place is during the monsoon seasons because the hills are lush green and the whole atmosphere is blissful.
The present state of Ram Kund:
Ram Kund is not commercialized up till now but the present state of this baffling place is not very good. People come here and litter around, rather than saving the natural beauty it is.
Here is a glimpse of the situation at Ram Kund, Watch Here:
https://youtu.be/L1wN-z0ABvI
What can the government and locals do to save this natural marvel?
I am awestruck by the beauty of the place Banswara is and I am thinking to update you more about beautiful places in and around Banswara. What are your thoughts upon this wonderful place? Pen down your thoughts in the comments section below.
Also, if you want to suggest changes or additions in the above write-up you can drop an email at fouzia@udaipurblog.com
Dark clouds covering the wide blue sky causing heavy winds at daytime and cool breeze during night time are the signs that monsoon is approaching. And monsoon comes along with the vivid memories of a picnic with friends and family. Hot steaming Pakoras prepared fresh along with homemade chai looks like the best combination of the world while you gaze at the tiny droplets coming from up above. This time that you spend with your loved ones becomes the memory of a lifetime and to make it more special, we have jotted down the names of some places that can be your next picnic spot this season.
Haldighati
Source: Tripadvisor
The place has topped the list because it has been one of the favorites for people of all ages, and gender. Remember the times when we all went to Haldighati from our school. When we and our friends used to shriek at the top of our voices on the bus on the way to Haldighati. And for the first time when we came to know so much about the warrior Maharana Pratap. Since then the place is admired by everyone especially the people of Mewar.
Udaipur is blessed with a lot of rivers flowing through, lakes, ponds, dams etc. and thus when such glorious places around them capture the eyes of the people, it becomes the ideal spot for them to spend their leisure time at. One such place is Thoor ki Pal. It is a dam situated at a distance of 11 km from the city and is the favorite getaway for Udaipurites during monsoons.
Ubeshwar Ji
Source: tripoto
During monsoons, it seems like Ubeshwar Ji is the second home of people and when you actually go there in this season, you wouldn’t be surprised by the fact at all. A large number of people with their friends and family all with their happy faces enjoying there would bring a feeling of joy inside you too. There is a temple of Ubeshwar Ji Mahadev which is the center of attraction there.
Nandeshwar Ji
Picture by: Pritesh Sharma
The place is rich in lush green vegetation all around. And in monsoons, it seems it is being cleaned by the water of the rain and the view becomes so splendid that you would not want to get up from there and go back to your home. There is a river flowing through Nandeshwar Ji which is widely enjoyed by the people visiting it. It has a temple of Lord Shiva also called Nandeshwar Ji which is why the place is named so.
Bagheri ka Naka
Bagheri ka Naka is a dam situated at a distance of 50 km from Udaipur. According to me, Dams are the best place to go to when you are thinking about picnics. You will get a perfect natural treat there that combines stretches of water, lush green trees, fresh air and a perfect mood to start your picnic. During monsoons, water flowing at the great speed from the height is one marvelous sight to look at.
Udaipur is rained with beauty all around and one example to justify the fact is this place, Tidi Dam. This is one of the great options to go for if you are looking for a beauteous place to spend time with your family and friends. It is at a distance of 34 km from the city and is widely visited by locals and tourists.
Chandni Village
Source: venuezz
The place has captured the attention of locals recently a few years back. And now it has become quite popular among the citizens of Udaipur. As soon as rain showers on the city, Chandani Village shows its true beautiful color where nature is at its best, water flowing from the river and greenery all around is one thing that no one should miss this season.
Jaisamand
Source: wikipedia
The city of Lakes is surrounded by some breathtaking sites and amongst them, one is Jaisamand Lake. Also known as Dhebar Lake, it is the second largest artificial lake in Asia. Looking at the wide stretches of the Lake, sitting under one of the Chattris on the Pal and munching on our favorite snack, isn’t it everything we would want to do on our picnic day?
Want to know more places to visit at Jaisamand? Click here.
Shilpgram
Source: Shilpgram udaipur
If you have a curious mind and a keen eye for the culture of Rajasthan, then it is the ideal place for you to visit. Shilpgram is a complex of rural arts and crafts that depicts the culture and lifestyles of the folk and tribal people of the west zone. It contains various paintings, clothes, instruments and written records of those people which can be explored on a perfect day by you and your loved ones.
Evenings at the pal of Udai Sagar Lake is so pleasant and soothing for your eyes that it will take away all the worries from your life. The place will offer you magnificent amount of solace that will be cherished by you and your family for the rest of your lives.
Look at Udai Sagar Lake overflowing by clicking here.
Now that you have the list of all the places, get ready to welcome monsoon in the city. It is time to set up the mood with the earthy smell after the rains, wet hairs, and with a handful of hot snacks.
If any other picnic place which is not mentioned above pops up in your head, feel free to share with us in the comment section below or write to me at juhee@udaipurblog.com.
There are a lot of places of interest in and around Udaipur which attract a lot of tourists from across the globe. One such place is the Fish Point near Kumbhalgarh. The Fish Point is basically a small lake known as Hammeripal lake situated in Taladri village. The Taladri village is in the Kumbhalgarh Tehsil, Rajasamand district. Let’s find out why is it famous?
The Hammeripal Lake is famous due to its large number of fish. It is a less crowded spot in the village and people often come here to have a look at the fish population. But what is about the fish in this lake that makes it so popular?
Source: @mahendraa_singh via Instagram
The lake is the home to thousands of African Catfish!! They are present in the lake in a number that might frighten some while some might feel a bit uneasy to watch such a huge number of Catfish accumulating to be fed. But literally, they are a sight not to be missed!
It looks unreal and feeding them is all the more fun.
Why are these Catfish in the Hammeripal Lake in Kumbhalgarh?
The story that the local people have about the ‘dangerously looking’ catfish is that one ‘Fish Contractor’ developed this breed in the lake for commercial ‘Fish Farming’. The villagers were concerned about the natural beauty of the place and that this entire place would be commercialized due to the same. Henceforth, all the villagers shunned his practice of fish farming.
Since that time, the Catfish kept increasing and breeding. Also, the local people are very apprehensive about fishing in the lake. They do not allow any local or outsider to catch these Catfish from the lake; and if they happen to find someone catching, strict actions are taken against the person.
These African catfish eat bread and local snacks and can be fed by the visitors.
Have a look at the video of these Catfish gathered to have a brunch!!!
The reason behind the name, Hammeripal Lake
The lake is so called because it was constructed by the Sisodia clan ruler, Rana Hammir Singh and so it was named after him as Hammeripal lake.
You can also read our article about Rana Hammir Singh, HERE
Location
The lake is situated 2-3 kilometer before the Kumbhalgarh fort. It is located in the village named ‘Taladri’. Kumbhalgarh is at a distance of 100 Km approx. from Udaipur.
Have a look at another video of these Catfish and the Hammeripal Lake
About Kumbhalgarh
Kumbhalgarh is the birthplace of the great warrior of Mewar, Maharana Pratap. Built during the course of the 15th century; the fort has a wall, 38 km long and is among the largest wall complex in the world. Kumbhalgarh was built and ruled by Rana Kumbha and hence the name Kumbhalgarh. Some legends say that the Rana Kumbha wasn’t able to build the wall over repeated attempts and then it was told by a spiritual sage that place demands a human sacrifice. At first, no one volunteered but then one day a man agreed and the ritual was performed. Today the main gate of the fortress, Hanuman Pol, contains a shrine and a temple to commemorate the great sacrifice.
These 5 places are the ones you must not miss to visit whether you are a localite or a tourist. These places are beautiful and define the brilliance of Udaipur. Each place is a masterpiece of architecture and showcases the royalty of the City of Lakes. All the 5 places are not situated in the city, rather outside the periphery. Let us have a brief insight of these 5 places to visit near Udaipur.
Kumbhalgarh Fort
This UNESCO World Heritage Site was built by the ruler Rana Kumbha during the 15th century. Perched high on the Aravali Range, its wall is the second longest wall in the world, after the Great Wall of China. Tourists can hike along a large section of the wall, which has been restored.
Some of the major attractions at Kumbhalgarh Fort are hundreds of ancient temples, palace ruins, step wells, and cannon bunkers. Plan to spend three to four hours exploring the fort. Another breath-taking attraction is the light and sound show in the evening which starts at 6.45 pm, and you may not wish to miss it. Also, the annual Kumbhalgarh Festival takes place at the fort in December and features performances from folk artists.
Timings: Sunrise until sunset, daily
Ticket: 200 rupees for foreigners, 15 rupees for Indians
The sound and light show costs 100 rupees
Chaumukha Mandir, Ranakpur
Source: Wikipedia
Dedicated to the first Tirthankar who instituted Jainism, it’s the country’s biggest and most significant Jain temple. The main temple, Chaumukha Mandir, is made out of white marble and was built in the 15th century and has 29 halls, 80 domes, and 1444 engraved pillars. A dress is required for both men and women to wear before entering into temple complex. Leather things and items like belts, shoes are not allowed on the premises. Also, food items and cigarettes are not allowed. From Ranakpur, you can go hiking and explore the neighboring Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary.
Location: 2 hours northwest of Udaipur. Ranakpur is frequently visited along with Kumbhalgarh on a day trip. The travel time between each place is around 90 minutes.
Timings: Non-Jain people can enter the temple from noon to 5 pm while mornings prayers are reserved.
Ticket Cost: Entry is free for Indians but for foreigners, it’s 200 rupees each, with an audio guide. Also, 100 rupees charge will be there for carrying a camera.
Saas Bahu Temple (Sahastra-Bahu Temple)
It is an undeniably beautiful 8th century Shri Eklingji Prabhu Temple. The temple complex is made completely out of marble and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The original shrine was built by Bapa Rawal, founder of the Mewar Dynasty. The current head of the Mewar royal family continues to worship at the temple every Monday. Photography isn’t allowed inside the temple while the outside is a major attraction for shoots as it gives a flamboyant background. The temple is covered with intricate sculptures.
Location: Kailashpur (Eklingji), about 30 minutes north of Udaipur along NH8.
Timings: 10.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m, and 5 p.m. to 7.30 7.30 p.m.
Ticket: There’s a nominal fee at the Saas Bahu temples.
Chittorgarh Fort
Chittorgarh had been the capital of the Mewar kingdom for over 800 years until 1568. It is believed that its history extends back to the 7th century when local Mauryan rulers started constructing it. Chittorgarh became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in June 2013. It’s a massive fort and considered the largest fort in India. Inside the fort, there are numerous old palaces, temples, Vijay stambh and other towers, a reservoir and a royal cremation ground. There is an evening light and sound show that tells the story of the fort, but usually, it’s in Hindi.
Location: About 2 hours northeast of Udaipur
Timings: Sunrise to sunset, daily
Tickets: 200 rupees for foreigners, 15 rupees for Indians
Delwara Temples Mount Abu
Source: AbuTimes
The Delwara Temples of India are located in Mount Abu- the only hill station in Rajasthan. These Jain temples were built by Vimal Shah and designed by Vastapul-Tejpal, Jain laymen, between the 11th and 13th centuries AD. The Delwara temples are known for their use of marble and intricate marble carvings. The decorative details scattering over the carved ceilings, doorways, pillars, and panels are simply amazing.
The five marble temples of Delwara are a sacred pilgrimage place for the Jains. Each is named after the small village in which it is located. These are:
