Bigg Boss 11 famed Sapna Choudhary in Udaipur’s Wedding!
RJ Piyush Meghwal of KP Events on 9th March 2018 brought the Bigg Boss 11 famed and popular Haryanvi singer Sapna Choudhary to Udaipur in a grand wedding. This is the first time ever that Sapna Choudhary made her presence in a wedding. It is her debut public appearance in the City of Lakes, Udaipur.
Hosted by RJ Himanshu, the couple Jignesh and Bhavika insisted on having the celebrity at their wedding extravaganza. RJ Piyush Meghwal did an experiment that went successful and Sapna Choudhary agreed to fly over to the City of Lakes.
Other artists who performed at the wedding apart from Sapna Choudhary are Ranjit Randhawa and OCP Bhangra Troupe who specialize in providing Bhangra Dance groups. Sapna’s huge fanbase was delighted at the wedding to know that the celebrity is visiting.
This is the first time in Udaipur that a Bigg Boss Contestant is making an appearance at a wedding.
Udaipur has witnessed star-studded wedding several times in the history. The city has become a hub and sought-after venue for destination weddings and celebrity weddings as it is lined with beautiful luxe hotels which serve as a perfect place to tie the holy knots.
The Event was planned and managed by KP Events & Entertainment (Piyush Meghwal). KP Events & Entertainment is an Udaipur-based company concentrating on tailored wedding experiences. Its specialty is destination weddings with personalized and themed finery and details.
Sapna danced on “Chand Mera- Ghunghat Ki Oth”, a latest New Haryanvi Song of the year 2018. Her latest songs are ‘Tu Chiz Lajawab’, ‘Teri Ankhiya Ka Yo Kaajal’, ‘Bandook Maregi’, ‘Mai Teri Nachai Nachu’ and ‘English Medium’.
She also shook legs with the family members of the bride and groom. Have a look at the dance Sapna performed at the wedding:
Earlier Sapna Choudhary has appeared in weddings in Gujarat’s Surat. But this was the first time in Udaipur where she appeared in public to dance with the family of the newlywed.
Udaipur is famous all over the globe due to its beautiful lakes. But did you know that these lakes are interconnected and maintain a remarkable channel system? One, if residing in Udaipur, must know how and why these lakes are interconnected!
When I first came to know that these lakes are interconnected, I was surprised and filled with awe. How can such huge water bodies be connected and made by the then rulers; this was the question I wanted to have an answer to. So, I went on for a deep search and came up with the following piece. Have a read.
Udaipur’s System of Lakes
The Lakes form a chain in the saucer-shaped valley of Udaipur. The inner Girwa plain of Udaipur is surrounded by the western and central Aravali hills, and its water drains into the Ahar (Ayad) River.
Some 425 years ago Udaipur’s system of lakes was considered a role model of rainwater management. As early as 1582, the Maharanas of the former state of Mewar started digging out Lake Pichola for gathering up bottom sediments and widening to make it suitable as an irrigation and drinking source. In 1890, Maharana Fateh Singh inaugurated a project that geography professor Narpat Singh Rathore of Udaipur’s Mohanlal Sukhadia University calls the “the world’s first man-made microsystem of river diversion, linkage and watershed management,” the result of which constitutes the current system of interconnected and gradually descending lakes.
Indeed, the rulers of Udaipur were convinced of the importance of water. So, they had built several dams and water ponds. These are evidence of reservoir engineering, developed at that time.
Prominent Lakes of Udaipur
The famous lakes of the city are Pichola lake, Fatehsagar, Doodh Talai, Govardhan Sagar, Badi (tiger lake or Jiyan Sagar), Rangsagar and Swaroop Sagar and Udaisagar, Madaar Lakes are major lakes in Udaipur. These lakes have served as a lifeline for many centuries for Udaipur.
Some facts about Udaipur, the city of lakes
Udaipur gets an annual rainfall of 640 mm.
Besides this, the city gets the runoff from the surrounding hills that the city planners had decided to catch and store in several lakes and tanks which feed the irrigation channels over several hectares.
Since all these lakes are interconnected, overflow from one goes to the next, making it the best example in rainwater harvesting and management. The water itself equals its level as these lakes are interconnected.
The creation of the lakes of Udaipur
In the mid-16th century, according to one legend, the beauty of the Pichola lake mesmerized Maharana Udai Singh, the then ruler of Mewar, who decided to build his new capital on its banks. Surrounded by Aravali hills, the site provided a natural defense against the forces of Akbar, who had captured Chittorgarh, the then capital of Mewar.
Udai Singh got a dam built on the Berach (Ayad) river to ensure an adequate supply of water for irrigation. The reservoir was named Udai Sagar and became the first line of defense against any attack from the east. Fateh Sagar was built in 1687 to collect the runoff from the surrounding hills for irrigation in the villages around it. The Lake Badi was constructed by Maharaja Raj Singh in 1643 A.D. for recreation purpose. Subsequently were made, the other lakes of Udaipur by the ruling kings of that era.
Besides these, there were 121 bawdis of which 83 have dried up.
How are these lakes connected: A glimpse of the best water harvesting system deployed!
Fatehsagar has a very small catchment of its own and is fed by Lake Badi, Chota and Bada Madaar. The overflow from the Bada and Chota Madaar merge with the Ayar river. The Ayar river feeds Udaisagar several kilometers downstream. The overflow from Lake Badi directly merges with Fatehsagar. The overflow from Pichola (and from parts of Pichola) flows into Fatehsagar, and the overflow from Fatehsagar flows into the Ayar through a canal before it enters Udaisagar. Below Pichola and Fatehsagar are numerous wells and bawdi (stepwells), which were the only source of drinking water, back then. With this web of lakes and wells, most of the rain falling within the Udaipur basin was kept within the basin itself, with very little losses making it a remarkable rain water harvesting system.
Let us now read a detailed description of how these lakes are interconnected!
The Ayad Berach
Ayad the mainstream of river Banas rises begins from the Girwa ranges of Aravalli situated to the north of Udaipur City. Ayad river flows through Bedla up to Udai Sagar Lake, in which it falls. It is the primary river of the Udaipur basin. Beyond Udai Sagar up to Dabok village, the river passes through a distance of about 75.5 km and is named as Udai Sagar ka Nala.
Subsequently known as Berach, the river runs for another 70 km towards the northeast and finally merges into river Banas, near Bigod in the Bhilwara district, which is a stream of Chambal river. In other words, near Chittorgarh, it obtains the water of Gambhiri river, then it turns northeast, and after running for about 190 km, it joins river Banas at the place known as Triveni Sangam near the village Bigod.
Lake Pichola
Lake Pichola was first created by a Banjara (Tribe), in the 14 century A.D., and later on, was extended to Rang Sagar and Swaroop Sagar and finally was connected to Fateh Sagar by Rana Udai Singh.
Spurce: benoy thapa
Water spread of the lake is 6.96 sq. km and it has a maximum depth of 10.5 m towards the west where the Kotra River drains into the lake. The lake is the main source of drinking water. The Sisarma River, a tributary of Kotra, is the major source of water to the lake.
It is almost triangular in shape with its base is along the City Palace edge. It was renewed and enlarged in 1559 A.D. The lake is extended towards the north and south forming a smaller lake, viz. Doodh Talai.
Parts of Lake Pichola:
Swaroop Sagar
Swaroop Sagar lake is sited in the south of Rang Sagar and it is a part of Lake Pichola. It was constructed during 1845–1850 A.D. The lake offers a combined water dam for Pichola and Rang Sagar. The lake also links Pichola and Rang Sagar with adjoining Fateh Sagar Lake through a canal. In monsoon, this canal is sometimes used to draw water in Fateh Sagar from Pichola Lake when Pichola reaches a high-water level.
Source: My Udaipur City
Rang Sagar and Kumhariya Talab
Rang Sagar has an average depth of 7 m, but its width is about 245 m, its westward expansion is known as Kumhariya Talab. Rang Sagar lake was constructed by Amar Singh Badava and is also called “Amarkund” after him. Constructed in 1668, it is one of the smallest lakes along the western waterfront of Udaipur and connects Pichola and Swaroop Sagar.
Lake Fateh Sagar
Fateh Sagar is a pear-like shaped lake situated in the north-western part of the city and almost in the central west of the basin covering an area of 12.88 sq. km. The lake was constructed in the year 1678 AD and then renovated in 1889 AD by Maharana Fateh Singh. Although essentially constructed for the irrigational purpose, this water body has lately formed the second major source of drinking water for the city of Udaipur.
The main feeder canal of the lake comes from Madar positioned at a higher altitude about 15 km from Udaipur City. Lake Fateh Sagar is also connected to the adjoining Lake Pichola through a canal having gates. The runoff emerging from surrounding hillocks drains into this lake.
Udai Sagar
It is one of the largest lakes of the Udaipur basin constructed by Maharana Udai Singh in 1559 A.D. and named after him; this lake is situated in the far south-east of this basin. The lake was built by building a stonework dam on the river Berach. This lake forms the last lake in the chain of Udaipur lake system. The main source of water for the lake is a tributary of the river Berach popularly called Ayar which passes through the city of Udaipur and joins Udai Sagar near the village Sukha Naka. Besides this, several small seasonal rivers and streams arising from the nearby hills also enter the lake.
Source: My-Udaipur-City
Badi
This lake was constructed by Maharaja Raj Singh in 1643 A.D. for leisure purpose. The total length of the canal is measured as 3,300 m which are constructed for supplying water to the nearby areas, namely, Badi, Liyo ka Guda, Hawala Khurd and Dewali villages. The full level of the lake is 9.76 m. Almost no supply of water is rendered from this lake.
Source: TripAdvisor
Bada Madaar- Chota Madaar
Both these lakes supply water to the Fateh Sagar Lake located within the municipal limits of Udaipur City through Chikalwas feeder also known as Madar Nahar or Madar Canal.
Goverdhan Sagar
Goverdhan Sagar is the smallest artificial lake of all the major lakes of the basin lies in the south. The length of the canals of this lake is also scanty, extending over an area of only 3,750 m. It also receives water from Pichola through a link canal.
Source: Saurabh-Patwari-Photography
Aren’t you amazed to read about it! Our ancestors showed a high level of planning and development. Udaipur’s Lake System is indeed considered to be the best and top-notch system in water management and rainwater harvesting. Maybe, this is the sole reason why the city is greener, peaceful and beautiful even after being near the desert region of Rajasthan.
The information is curated from valid sources and is not fabricated under any influence or otherwise.
The whole city celebrated Women’s day with much enthusiasm and excitement. While restaurants and cafes came up with offers to invite girl gangs and women to hang out at their places, and shopping malls celebrating in a similar manner, Robinhood Army took this day as an opportunity to teach rural women and girls about female hygiene practices.
Robinhood Army Udaipur completed two wonderful years of unmatched efforts to eliminate hunger and educating children across town on March 6. They celebrated their second anniversary with different events planned over a span of 5 days.
About Robinhood Army:
Robinhood Army is a volunteer-based organization that works to serve surplus food from restaurants and other places to less fortunate sections of the society. Robinhood Army does not accept monetary contributions of any kind and only asks for your time and a passion to serve people. It is spread across 50+ cities and 12 different countries engaging almost 14,000 volunteers worldwide and have fed over 5 million people till date.
The Udaipur chapter is no less. Led by young and energetic turban-clad Mr. Chahat Arora, Robins (volunteers at Robinhood Army) in Udaipur have served food to nearly 2,00,000 needy people in these two years. Quite a big achievement, isn’t it?
Here’s how Robins celebrated International Women’s Day:
An awareness drive regarding female hygiene practices was organized by Phoenix Pads – Mr. Ishit Garg, Mr. Varun Narula and Mrs. Hiranya Singh and Robin Hood Army in the presence of a gynecologist Dr. Chitra Ji at Banjara Basti, Sector 6, Udaipur after which free distribution of sanitary napkins was conducted. These sanitary napkins will be provided free of cost over the period of next six months to these rural women and girls to educate and put good hygiene practices into a routine.
In the afternoon event, a street play on the “difficulties faced by women every day” was organized by the Department of Social Science Works, JRN Rajasthan Vidyapeeth University, Udaipur and a talk on female hygiene practices and their role in society was delivered by the team of Phoenix Pads in the university campus.
Later in the evening, a first of its kind Open Mic session “PERIOD BREAKER” coupled with live music, stand-up comedy and other fun activities was conducted by Phoenix Pads in association with Robin Hood Army, Udaipur at Mic & Munch café where various speakers from Udaipur graced the event from all age groups and spoke openly about their experiences regarding menstruation and inspired everybody, it was a massive success by all standards.
Other activities by Robinhood Army:
Not only this, Robins painted the town red over their anniversary week with a motley of events planned. March 4 saw Robins celebrating ‘Wise Wall Painting’ where they cleaned and painted a whole shelter with informative murals at Pratap Smarak, one of their food distribution clusters.
Before and after picture of the shelter
March 5 was ‘The Bhukkad day’ where the very popular Bhukkad food truck served freshly prepared food directly from their truck and drove to several other clusters delivering mouth-watering food to children who otherwise cannot afford such luxuries of life. Really amazing!
Anniversary day was a big hit with a grand party organized by OMG Food Court at RKay Mall where kids from the less fortunate sections of the society were driven in and danced to the tunes of latest Bollywood songs followed by games and tasty food. ‘The whole day became an unforgettable one for the kids as well as us’, says Mr. Chahat Arora.
But they didn’t stop here, the next day, kids were brought for a tour of the City Palace coordinated by Robins and a boat ride at Lake Pichola thereafter. The children got a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of clicking pictures with Maharaj Kumar Lakshyaraj Singh Ji.
Mahatma Gandhi very rightly said, ‘The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others’.
God bless these Robins for taking out time out of their busy schedules and making efforts to serve these people.
To join Robinhood Army, you can raise a request on their Facebook page or contact them at +91-9929996922, +91-8233735714, +91-9460731240.
बारहवी की परीक्षा चल रही है। परीक्षा ख़त्म होते ही कॉलेज की दौड़-भाग शुरू हो जाएगी। कुछ लड़के-लड़कियां अभी से ही स्कूल को मिस करने लग गए है, लेकिन कुछ ऐसे भी है जो परीक्षा समाप्ति पर मिस करना शुरू करेंगे, उन्हें जैसे ही ये कॉन्फिडेंस आ जायेगा कि ‘हाँ… बेड़ा पार हो जायेगा’ और मिस करना शुरू कर देंगे।
लेकिन अब स्कूल की याद नहीं सताएगी। अगर याद नहीं सताएगी तो बहुत मुमकिन है कि सोशल मीडिया पर #missingschooldays, #alreadymissingschooldays जैसी आपदाएं भी नहीं नज़र आएगी। हमारी सरकार ने हमेशा हमारे दुःख-दर्द को सुना है और उसे कम करने की कोशिश की है। इस बार भी हमारी यह हैशटैग वाली पुकार सुन ली गयी है और ऐसा तोहफ़ा दिया है कि सुन लोगे तो खुशी से नाच उठोगे।
अब कॉलेज में भी स्कूलों की तरह ड्रेसकोड रहेगा। लड़कियां सलवार-कमीज़-दुप्पटा पहनी नज़र आएँगी तो लड़के पैंट-शर्ट-बेल्ट-टाई पहने नज़र आएँगे। राजस्थान के सभी गवर्मेंट कॉलेज के लिए यह आदेश लागू हो सकता है। अब तक तो शायद आपने नाचना भी शुरू कर दिया होगा।
photo courtesy: College dekho
आइये हम साथ में मिलकर इसके फायदे-नुकसान की बात करते है :
इसके क्या फायदे है –
रोज-रोज के नए कपड़े पहनने की झंझट से निजात मिलेगी।
“उसने तो वैसा पहना है, मैंने तो ऐसा पहना है” जैसा राष्ट्रिय मुद्दा ख़त्म हो जाएगा।
सप्ताह की दो ड्रेस गन्दी होगी। धोने-धुलवाने की माथापच्ची नहीं रहेगी।
स्कूल की याद नहीं सताएगी।
सरकार ने इतना कर ही दिया है, फिर भी स्कूल की याद आती है तो मेरी एक सलाह मान लीजिए। गले में प्लास्टिक की लटकने वाली बोतल और शर्ट की ऊपर वाली जेब पर पिन से रुमाल बांध देना। मैं गारंटी देता हूँ कॉलेज पूरी तरह से स्कूल लगने लगेगा।
इसके क्या नुकसान है –
अलमारी में पड़ी नयी ड्रेस वही पड़ी रह जाएगी। ड्रेस बिना पहने छोटी और टाइट हो जाने के आसार बढ़ जाएँगे।
नए फैशन को फॉलो करने और दूसरों को दिखाने के लिए कोई प्लेटफॉर्म नहीं बचेगा।
शो-ऑफ करने वाले शो-ऑफ नहीं कर पाएँगे। उनकी सेहत पर विपरीत असर पड़ सकता है।
हर क्लास के सलमान, शाहरुख़, कटरीना… भीड़ में खो से जाएँगे।
जिसका बर्थडे होगा वो नयी ड्रेस पहनकर कॉलेज नहीं आ सकेगा। एक्लीयर्स/पारले जी की चॉकलेट बांटकर ही दुसरे छात्र-छात्राओं को दिखाना होगा कि आज उसका बर्थडे है।
अब थोड़े सीरियस हो जाते है –
हम सभी जानना चाहते है कि ड्रेस कोड कैसे हमारी पढाई में सुधार ला सकता है?
हम सभी जानना चाहते है कि क्या ड्रेस कोड हमारा प्लेसमेंट करवाएगा?
हम सभी जानना चाहते है कि ड्रेस कोड, अनुशासन कैसे ला सकता है?
हम यह भी जानना चाहते है कि क्या ड्रेस कोड की वजह से हमारे कॉलेज के इंफ्रास्ट्रक्चर में सुधार आ सकता है?
हमें यह भी जानना है कि क्या ड्रेस कोड कॉलेज में खाली पड़ी लेक्चरार की सीटों को भर पाएगा? उनकी कमी की पूर्ति कर पाएगा?
हम अंत में यह जानना चाहते है कि क्या ड्रेस कोड हमारे भारतीय एजुकेशन सिस्टम की कमियों में सुधार ला पाएगा?
Fortunately enough, Udaipur has been gifted with some of the most beautiful and scenic places on Earth and it wouldn’t be fair if we do not get a chance to experience this beauty at least once in our lifetime. Well, thanks to the jaw-dropping set of hotels and resorts, we not only rank among the top in the list of the most beautiful cities of the world but in the list of some of the best hotels as well.
Time and again, the hotels and resorts in Udaipur have won many national and international awards for breathtaking architecture and spectacular hospitality, the main reason behind so many vacation and destination wedding plans for some of the major celebrities, politicians, business tycoons, and head honchos of the world.
No wonder Udaipur leaves a lasting impression on everybody with its unparalleled beauty and the calmness that resides within the heart of the city. Here’s a peek into some of the most stunning hotels and resorts of the town and how they’ve left every guest in awe!
1. Taj Lake Palace
Elegantly built as the pleasure palace for Maharana Jagat Singh II in 1746, Jag Niwas is now known as the Taj Lake Palace and has been voted as the Best Hotel in Asia and the Indian Sub-Continent by readers of UK’s Conde Nast Traveller magazine 2016. Equipped with 83 luxurious rooms, this hotel has been the shooting spot for Octopussy and many other films and TV serials. It is built in the middle of Lake Pichola offering a wondrous view of the palace and the mountain ranges. You’ve got to visit it once to experience the glory!
Another sublime beauty located on the bank of Lake Pichola is the majestic Udaivilas. It is infamous for winning a horde of awards and hospitality that leaves you speechless. It has been ranked #1 hotel in the world by popular magazines like TripAdvisor (2014), The Outlook Traveller (2015), Travel + Leisure (2015 and 2016), etc. time and again. It became much popular after KJo’s Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani was shot here. It spreads across a 50-acre sprawling campus with lush green gardens and interconnected domes. You have to be there to witness the beauty.
Again on the bank of Lake Pichola is the astonishing modern palace hotel, The Leela Palace. Known for its intricate designing and serene views, the hotel is equipped with 80 luxurious rooms that cater to every aspect of ‘beauty’. It is a popular destination wedding spot for people all over. Experience the beauty overlooking this beautiful lake.
Spread over an area of 43-acre with huge lawns and unmatched peace and tranquility, Trident offers beautiful 137 rooms and 4 suites with amazing hospitality and a multi-cuisine restaurant that offers a wide variety of food. You’d love to be in the lap of nature here.
Overlooking Lake Fatehsagar is the beautifully constructed and elegantly standing Radisson Blu. With 245 spacious rooms and restaurants serving pan-Asian food, Radisson is a popular choice for tourists from around the world. It looks spectacularly lit in the evenings and it is as beautiful as it gets.
A stay without royal treatment in Udaipur is a stay in vain. Shiv Niwas Palace, a part of HRH group, housed in the city place premises offers an unprecedented Rajputana experience with 17 decorated suites with original portraits and furniture belonging to the Royal family. Stayed here?
Another feather in the cap of HRH is Fateh Prakash Palace with 21 rooms and 44 elegant suites. It puts you in the shoes of the kings, with royal experiences when you sit on furniture from toshkhanas and replica paintings of the kingdom of Mewar. You become a part of the legacy and the royal lineage when you stay here.
A historic 17th-century palace built in the middle of Lake Pichola adjacent to Jag Niwas. This beautiful palace is the most popular choice for weddings and is known for some of the most lavish, royal, and extravagant weddings ever organized. The place houses 7 suites and guests are ferried here enjoying the picturesque Lake Pichola.
Another beautiful property overlooking Lake Fatehsagar is The LaLiT Laxmi Vilas Palace that stands proudly in the heart of the city offering a delightful view of the historic city of Mewar. It offers a good 55 rooms redesigned after this royal palace was built in 1911 for His Highness Maharana Fateh Singh Ji. It is a popular choice for royal weddings and parties.
Built on a hilltop, Fateh Garh offers a breathtaking view of the city overlooking city palace and the lakes. It has been on the list of top hotels since 2009 by Conde Nast Traveller magazine and is often viewed as a luxurious heritage hotel. It is a sought-after choice for tourists and destination weddings. The swimming pool here has been ranked among the six sexiest swimming pools in the world in a survey.
Another recently opened lavish property by Taj is The Willows Club – Jagat at Vivanta. They strive to offer a rare club-like experience with acres of bliss in pristine nature. The club has several recreational spots, cabanas, restaurants, pool, and numerous other activities to keep you enthralled. It is located in Kodiyat, Udaipur.
This hotel belongs to a noble family of the Mewar kingdom and reportedly took 16 years of time to be fully constructed. No wonder the architecture amazes every guest and the incomparable hospitality leaves you spellbound. It conserves the rich Rajasthani culture and is a great choice for boutique hotels across town. It has 46 rooms including 16 suites that offer a delightful view of the Aravalli ranges.
Built with traditional stonework and height varying from the highest to lowest point by 40 meters in a sprawling 6.6-acre campus is Ramada Udaipur. It provides scintillating views of the city along with 72 multi-tiered rooms and suites. It surely puts your search for romantic hotels to an end.
This recently established resort is a sought-after destination for weddings and events these days. It offers impeccable hospitality and 40 acres of peaceful and lush green orchards and landscaped gardens. It even boasts of a revolving restaurant which is a head-turner!
This resort caters to your every need with 75-acres of gigantic premises housed with 206 contemporary villas and lots of other facilities. It is set amidst the backdrop of Aravalli ranges and offers a respite from the hustle and bustle of the city. This truly is the place to be!
Located in the foothills of Cheerwa Ghat, amidst the Aravalli ranges is this scenic resort offering all the modern facilities and convenience. Enjoy your stay with sumptuous food and swimming in the garden pools and enjoying in the sports lounge.
This exhilarating heritage property which served as a pass into the valley in the 18th century has now been restored to a premier five-star property of Rajasthan. Located in the countryside, housing 39 spacious and exuberant rooms, this campus is a treat to stay in. It was transformed into a hotel in 1999 and has been attracting people from all over the world ever since.
Yet another place to soothe your soul and rejuvenate yourselves is The Royal Retreat Resort and Spa located in Hawala Village near Badi. The resort boasts of 100 well-equipped rooms which are connected through walkways around the swimming pools. This place is a hotspot for destination weddings.
In Mewar, as in the other parts of the state, there are more festivals than the days in a week, ‘saat vaar aur nau tyohar’. No exception is the month of March that started with a bang with the festival of Holi is followed by Sheetla Saptmi or Asthami, Kesariyaji Mela, Navratri, Dashamata, Chetichand, Gangaur, Mahavir Jayanti, Good Friday and Easter.
Eight days after Holi is celebrated Sheel Ashtami. Earlier the festival was celebrated on Saptami. But later on, as Maharana Bheemsingh’s birthday fell on this day, the festival began to be celebrated on the next day. But people were free to choose any one day.
The legend of Sheetla Mata Ashtami
Maharana Sangramsingh built a temple of Sheetla Mata near Rang Niwas close to Samore Bagh. On Asthami, in the morning, the Maharana would go in a procession to the temple for ‘darshan’ of the goddess. A ‘darbar’ was held in Rang Niwas. Then he used to go Navlakha or Samore Bagh where there was a lot of singing and dancing. On that day a ‘dawat’ banquet, was organized by Rajya Pradhan or senior officials in honor of the Maharana. All the Sardars and Umraos were invited to this feast. Floral garlands were offered to all the ‘durbaris’. Then the Maharana returned to his palace. After the death of Idarwali Rajmata Chhoti Rathore in 1892, the tradition of going to the house of the Pradhan stopped. Once Maharan Sajjansingh went for the ‘darshan’ of Sheetla Devi dressed in ‘bhagwa’ color clothes. To this play on Ashtami, ‘bhog’ is sent to the temple of the goddess from the royal palace.
The beliefs and rituals of Sheetla Mata Ashtami
In earlier times chickenpox was a deadly disease that was the cause of the death a large number of people. This disease spread wildly during March and April when the season changed. To appease Sheetla Mata who is considered to be a form of Ma Bhagwati Durga, she is worshipped on this occasion. The tradition is that fresh food is not cooked on this day. On the previous day, a lot of dishes such as sweet rice, pakode, kadi, halwa, and rabdi are cooked and are eaten cold on this day.
In Udaipur, in the morning women clad in gorgeous dresses with ‘puja thalis’ in their hands and singing merrily reach the Sheetla Mandir near Rang Niwas in groups. They worship the goddess reverently and offer her milk, curd and the eatables they have prepared the previous day. The ‘Katha’ of the Mata is related. The surroundings have a ‘mela’ like scene.
It is believed that worship of Sheetla Mata results in happy married life. She is also believed to be the goddess of cleanliness. She is also worshipped as Pathwari Devi, who shows people the right path, both literally and figuratively.
The reason behind eating cold meals at Sheetla Mata Ashtami
The eating of cold food on the occasion has scientific reason also. The festival falls in the transition period of two seasons – winter and summer. In winter, bacteria do not flourish in food and it remains fresh for a longer time whereas in summer it starts rotting soon. So, it is advisable to eat only fresh food after this festival.
देश में हर वर्ग की कामकाजी महिलाओं के उत्थान एवं स्वावलम्बन के लिये कार्यरत वीमन मेन्टर्स फोरम एवं अमेरीका की हिलेरी क्लिटंन द्वारा स्थापित स्वयंसेवी संस्था वाईटल वाॅयसेस के संयुक्त तत्वावधान में आगामी 11 मार्च को अन्तर्राष्ट्रीय महिला दिवस के उपलक्ष में कामकाजी प्रोफेशनल महिलाएं फतहसागर पाल पर दौड़ेगी।
फोरम की उदयपुर हेड डाॅ. अनिता भण्डारी ने बताया कि अनिता सुराणा द्वारा गठित वीमन मेन्टर्स फोरम के उदयपुर में गठन होने के बाद यह प्रथम इवेन्ट है। यह दौड़ रविवार को 60 देशों के 151 शहरों में एक साथ ग्लोबल मेन्टोरिंग वाॅक्स के रूप में आयोजित होगी। उन्होंने बताया कि भारत में इस संगठन का मुख्य उद्देश्य कामकाजी महिलाओं में नेतृत्व क्षमता का विकास करना, चुनौतियों का सामना करते हुए महिलाओं को आगे बढ़ाना है। भारत में इस अन्तर्राष्ट्रीय संगठन के साथ मिलकर यह संगठन उक्त दौड़ आयोजित कर रहा है।
फोरम की कोर ग्रुप की सदस्य श्रीमती शुभ सिंघवी ने बताया कि ग्लोबल मेन्टोरिंग वाॅक्स संस्था विदेशों में उन महिलाओं के लिये कार्य करती है जो प्रोफेशनल तौर पर संस्थायें चला रही है। आयोजन की मुख्य अतिथि उच्च शिक्षा मंत्री किरण माहेश्वरी, विशिष्ठ अतिथि कुवंरानी निवृत्ति कुमारी मेवाड़ होगी जबकि दौड़ को फ्लैग आॅफ अन्तर्राष्ट्रीय स्तर पर तैराकी में नाम कमा चुकी गौरवी सिंघवी करेगी। दौड़ प्रातः 7 बजे रवाना होगी। दौड़ मेें 22 वर्ष की युवती से लेकर 60 वर्ष की तक महिलायें भाग ले सकेगी।
फोरम की कोर सदस्या शिल्पा बापना ने बताया कि इस दौड़ में 100 से अधिक महिलाएं भाग लेगी। इस अवसर पर संगठन से जुड़ी महिला सदस्याओं ने आयोजन के पोस्टर का कुंवरानी निवृत्ति कुमारी मेवाड़ ने विमोचन किया। शहर में इस संगठन को आगे बढ़ाने के लिये पूनम राठौड़, हसीना चक्कीवाला, श्रद्धा कोठारी, चन्द्रिका झोटा, सोनाली मुर्डिया कार्यरत है।
नाथद्वारा, श्रीनाथ जी के मंदिर की वजह से पुरे विश्वभर में अपनी एक अलग छवि रखता है। हर साल लाखो-करोड़ो लोग श्रीनाथ जी के दर्शन हेतु नाथद्वारा आते है। दर्शन के दौरान श्रद्धालु श्रीनाथ जी की दाढ़ी में लगे हीरे को भी देखना पसंद करते है। लेकिन उस हीरे के दाढ़ी में होने के पीछे की क्या कहानी है?
हम बताते है…
नाथद्वारा में हर साल धुलंडी पर एक सवारी निकलती है, नाम बहुत दिलचस्प है ‘बादशाह की सवारी’। यह सवारी नाथद्वारा के गुर्जरपुरा मोहल्ले के बादशाह गली से निकलती है। यह एक प्राचीन परंपरा है जिसमें एक व्यक्ति को नकली दाढ़ी-मूंछ, मुग़ल पोशाक और आँखों में काजल डालकर दोनों हाथो में श्रीनाथ जी की छवि देकर उसे पालकी में बैठाया जाता है। इस सवारी की अगवानी मंदिर मंडल का बैंड बांसुरी बजाते हुए करता है।
photo courtesy : patrika
यह सवारी गुर्जरपुरा से होते हुए बड़ा बाज़ार से आगे निकलती है तब बृजवासी सवारी पर बैठे बादशाह को गलियां देते है। सवारी मंदिर की परिक्रमा लगाकर श्रीनाथ जी के मंदिर पंहुचती है, जहां वह बादशाह अपनी दाढ़ी से सूरजपोल की सीढियाँ साफ़ करता है जो कि लम्बे समय से चली आ रही एक प्रथा है। उसके बाद मंदिर के विभाग-प्रमुख बादशाह को पैरावणी भेंट करते है। इसके बाद फिर से गालियों का दौर शुरू होता है, मंदिर में मौजूद लोग बादशाह को खरी-खोटी सुनते है और रसिया गान शुरू होता है। तब आसपास का माहोल ऐसा हो जाता है मानो मथुरा-वृन्दावन में होली खेल रहे हो।
इस सब के पीछे की वजह –
नाथद्वारा में मान्यता है कि जब औरंगजेब श्रीनाथ जी की मूर्ति को खंडित करने मंदिर में आया था तो मंदिर में पंहुचते ही अँधा हो गया था। तब उसने अपनी दाढ़ी से मंदिर की सीढियाँ साफ़ करते हुए श्रीनाथ जी से विनती की और वह ठीक हो गया। उसके बाद औरंगजेब ने बेशकीमती हीरा मंदिर को भेंट किया जिसे हम आज श्रीनाथ जी के दाढ़ी में लगा देखते है।
photo courtesy : the baltimore sun darkroom
बस इसी घटना को हर साल धुलंडी पर ‘बादशाह की सवारी’ निकालकर याद किया जाता है। यह सवारी नाथद्वारा के अलावा ब्यावर, पली और अजमेर में भी निकली जाती है।
We all are aware of Sajja Niwas Garden or Gulab Bagh. But do you know that there is a museum inside a Mahal known as Navlakha Mahal in Gulab Bagh? Let us have an insight of what Navlakha Mahal is.
About Navlakha Mahal
Navlakha Mahal is situated in the heart of Gulab Bagh, which was established in the 19th century. This is a place of pilgrimage for Arya Samaj followers. Maharishi Dayanand, a remarkable sage, and reformer who brought Vedic learning to India, was a profound scholar of Vedas and scriptures and a perfect Yogi. Maharishi Dayanand came to Udaipur on August 10th, 1882. He visited the City of Lakes on the request of Maharana Sajjan Singh, the 72nd ruler of the Mewar Kingdom. The Navlakha Mahal was once the royal guest house of the Maharana.
Source: tripadvisor
Maharishi remained in the city for almost six and a half months and stayed in Navlakha Mahal. In this holy Navlakha Mahal, Maharishi Dayanand accomplished the writing of his greatest manuscript, Satyarth Prakash. This Satyarth Prakash was his protocol for human life. He wrote it for the welfare of mankind and also for conveying divine knowledge to the people.
Source: Rajasthan Tourism
Inside Navlakha Mahal Museum
Forgotten for years, this palace was in a decaying state when Shrimad Dayanand Satyarth Prakash Nyas (trust) began renovating it.
Source: Rajasthan Tourism
Musical fountains have been installed in the inner chowk of the palace, that dance to the tunes of hymns in his praise. Here, once Maharishi spoke on spiritual and religious topics daily to the people of the city and to the Maharaja.
Source: The Arya Samaj
There is also a yajnashala where yajnas, including mass yajnas accompanied by the chanting of Vedic hymns and vedkathas, are performed every day in the morning and evening.
The 1st floor of the palace contains a picture gallery where 67 oil paintings portray Maharishi’s life, from birth to his spiritual enlightenment.
A 14-angled and 14-story ‘Satyarth Prakash Stambh’ or tower is also installed at the writing chamber of Swami Dayanand Saraswati.
A hall in one side of the courtyard houses a Vedic library and reading room. All 23 translations of Satyarth Prakash–including Sanskrit, French, German, Swahili, Arabic, and Chinese are available inside it. Revolving glass cases display Satyarth Prakash and the important Vedic texts.
Source: The Arya Samaj
The Shrimad Dayanand Satyarth Prakash trust also operates a ‘Ved Prachar’ vehicle to spread Vedic knowledge among the people. The vehicle is equipped with a multimedia projector, books and other materials used for promoting the preaching of Maharishi Dayanand.
The three-day long fiesta of revelry Holi is celebrated with great enthusiasm in Mewar by different sects of the Hindu community. Historians tell us that in Mewar the festival of colors used to start from Basant Panchmi. There was dancing of her by mates and that of Ghoomar by the ladies. Lok geet reverberated with the sound of ‘daph’ ‘dhol’ and ‘thali’. The Maharana would go to the garden where entertaining programmes were held. In the ‘durbar’ at Naginabad, the servants were given gifts. Holi was also celebrated in the chowk.It was only after the sacred fire was lit in the Rajmahal that Holi started in the city. There was a tradition of fireworks on Holi in Mewar.
Nowadays, on Holi starting from Shambhu Niwas Arvind Singhji Mewar, reaches Manek Chowk with Naubatrisawari that has ‘ran kan kan’ horses etc that attract the attraction of the foreign and Indian tourists who give him a standing ovation. Guard of Honour is also given to him by the personal army of the palace. Then rituals of Holi Dahan are performed under the guidance of the Purohits of the Dharmsabha.
As the fascinating legend about the Holi festival goes Hiranya Kashyap was very unhappy with his son Prahalad, a devotee of Lord Vishnu. He wanted to kill him several times but failed. Fearing that if he performed the ghastly deed himself, the public would go against him, he asked for his sister Holika’s help. It was believed that fire would not burn her as she sat in the fire for a long time every day. It was proposed that she would sit in the fire with Prahalad in her lap. At first, she did not agree but then her brother told that her if she refused, she would not be allowed to marry Eloji. However, Prahalad’s deep devotion to Lord Vishnu saved him and Holika was burnt to ashes. When Eloji with his baarat was on his way to the palace to marry Holika, he was stunned to learn of the tragic incident. He smeared his body with the ashes of Holika and vowed never to marry. He lost his senses and wandered here and there. He is considered to be an ideal lover. In Rajasthan, in many places have been named after him and one of which is Eloji Ka Neem, near Ganesh Ghati in Udaipur. At some places, people try to guess what the coming year is going to be like from to direction of the flames. Going off the flames in the north pretends a good time and the future is to be medium. When the direction is south. Also good is to be the time when the direction is east or west.
DAY 1: HOLIKA DAHAN
Source: india tv. Holi celebration at City Palace Udaipur
As the time for Holi Dahan, approaches people start gathering at spots where Holika’s have been set up. The trunk or big branch of a tree is set up in the middle and it is surrounded by smaller branches and twigs, pieces of plywood, hay, cow dung ‘uplas’ that are made by women and children. Firecrackers are also put in the middle. At the appointed time, some rituals are performed and the fire lit. There is a feeling of elation as the flames go up. People go round the fire and start greeting others.
‘Dhoond’ ceremony of the newborn children is performed for their good health and welfare. As the legend goes, there lived a rakshas named Dhunda or Dhooni who came to the village and troubled children by making them sick and harming them. When other ways to drive her out of the village failed, the villagers cursed and abused her and lit a fire to frighten her. Finally, this succeeded and it became a tradition on the occasion of Holi.
DAY 2: DHULANDI
source: FairytaleIndia.com Dhulandi celebrations
On the day after Holika Dahan, comes ‘Dulhandi’ when the whole town goes gay smearing faces with ‘gulal’ and colors and sprinkling water. Revelry is in the air. The old difference is often forgotten and people they have started using ‘herbal gulal’ that does not stain clothes nor harm the skin. The use of harmful colors and paints is on the decrease.
DAY 3: BHAIYADOOJ
On the third day of the festival, falls ‘Bhaiya Dooj’ when the brother-sister bonds are revived. The festival that also known as yamdwitiya has a special significance for the Kayasth community. As the legend goes, as desired by Lord Vishnu, Brahma created the world. The latter asked Dharmraj to keep an account of all the deeds performed by human beings and reward or punish them accordingly. Dharmaraj requested the Lord to give him an able assistance to record all these things as it was an extremely difficult task to accomplish single-handed.
For the first time this year, ready-made ‘Holi’ is available in big numbers. The market with ‘semal’ wood costing 300 to 1100 in places such as Surajpole. Also available are ‘uplas’, cow dung cakes made by women. However, hay is to be bought separately. Earlier, people collected dry wood, grass, plywood pieces etc and women and girls made ‘uplas’.
HOW IS HOLI CELEBRATED BY DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES?
After Lord Brahma had meditated for a long time, he saw standing before him an intelligent and handsome being who was to take up this challenging task. As he had originated from the ‘kaya’ soul of the Lord, he has named Kayasth Chitragupta. The people of Kayasth community are descendants of Chitragupta. His sons got their surname after the places they settle in e.g Mathur as they settled in Mathura. As Chitragupta kept a record of the deeds of a man using a pen, the pen has become the weapon of Kayathas as the sword is that of the Rajputs. On On Yamadwitya, Chitragupta with his pen and inkpot is reverently worshipped by Kayasthas.
The Sindhi community of Udaipur has some fascinating Holi tradition. Pieces of wheat dough are baked on burning coal to make ‘Koki’. Sindhi Ghewar is offered as ’prasad’ during Holi Puja and after this 21, 51 or 101 Ghewars are sent to daughters and sisters. Bereaved families are offered Ghewar to end the period of ‘shok’.
SPECIAL RITUALS PERFORMED IN DIFFERENT TEMPLES OF UDAIPUR
source: Udaipurtimes.com Holi celebrations at Jagdish temple, Udaipur
Special rituals are performed in different temples of the towns such as Shrinath Mandir, Jagdish Mandir, Asthal Mandir, Baijiraj Mandir and Jagat Shriomani Mandir. In Srinath Mandir, the Lord has simple Pichwai of white muslin but its original color is not visible as ‘gulal’ is sprinkled on it by devotees.
In Shrinath Mandir, Nathdwara Holi is a big event when thousands of devotees from distant places throng the Mandir. All the main gates are gaily decorated with ‘bandanwar’. Everything gets covered with ‘gulal’ and ‘abir’. Mandlis from outside sing ‘rasias’. On Dulandi ‘dholutsav’ is celebrated. Holi Dahan is done at several places in the town for which ‘dand’ and ‘dhawajas’ are given to children by the Mandir Board.
Menar becomes the venue of a highly fascinating scene on the occasion of Jamra Beej. The main ‘Chouraha’ is beautifully illuminated drum beating goes on all the day at Omkareshwar Chouraha. After the ‘Kasumba’ ritual, the people with swords tied around the waist, and swords and guns in their hands come together. In the evening five groups that are followed by women carrying ‘Kalash’ on the head and singing songs of valor converged at the main chowk and fire guns in the air. Feats with swords are performed. The history of Mewar village and Menaria Samaj is read out.
Tamatar Rad, tomato fight, in which tomatoes are thrown by two parties of young men is organized in Dendor wada near Juna Mandir. After this Ger dance is performed. In village Bhiluda near Raghunath Mandir were two parties used to indulge in throwing stones at each other has been stopped now over 10,000 tribal folks perform Ger dance in the premises of the famous Tripura Sundari Mandir, near Banswara.
Leaving memories behind, people in Mewar wait eagerly for the next year to enjoy Holi revelry again.
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