Dholpur : The Lake City

Dholpur  is a city in eastern-most parts of the Rajasthan state of India. It is the administrative headquarters of Dholpur District and was formerly seat of the Dholpur princely state, before Independence. Dhaulpur became a separate district in 1982 comprising four tehsils of Bharatpur: Dholpur, Rajakhera, Bari and Baseri. It is bordered by Bharatpur district of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh to the north, Madhya Pradesh to the south, Karauli district to the west and Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh to the east. Dholpur is between Agra and Gwalior (each about 55 kilometres from Dholpur) and is 250 kilometres from Delhi. It is on the main Central Railway track and the National Highway No. 3, on Delhi-Bombay Road. At its railway station, the town name is spelled "Dhaulpur". 

Dholpur, according to the Epics, was initially known as Dhawalgiri, later on Dhaulagir, and now as Dholpur. Before the battle of Mahabharat this whole area was under the Yadavs whose different branches were spread over the entire area extending from the south of the river Chambal. After Mughals Rana vansh of Jats become ruler of Dhaulpur, during British Raj, it was part of the Rajputana Agency, till the Independence of India. The former mansion of the ruler of the erstwhile Dholpur State, Kesarbagh palace, now houses the Dholpur Military School, while its official residence in New Delhi, Dholpur House, now houses Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).

The prime tourist attractions in Dhaulpur are:

Damoye: A waterfall in Sarmathura. It is the main tourist spot in whole district. It is visible in rainy season [July-September]. Besides this, Damoye has a long and green forest range with wild animals.

The Machkund Temple: Muchchhkund is about 8 km from the town of Dholpur. It is an ancient sacred place. It commands a picturesque view. The place is named after Raja Muchchhukand, the 24th of the Suryavanshi Dynasty (the solar race) who is said to have reigned nineteen generations before Lord Ram. According to legend, Raja Muchchhkund was sleeping here when demon Kaal Yaman (while pursuing lord Krishna) accidentally woke him up. The demon Kaal Yaman was burnt to ashes because of a divine blessing to Raja Muchchhkund. It is now a sacred place for pilgrims.

Talab-E-Shahi: Forty kilometres from Dholpur is a picturesque lake called Talab Shahi. The lake and the palace were built in 1617 A.D. as a shooting lodge for Prince Shah Jahan. The palace and the lake were later maintained by the ruler of Dholpur. The lake attracts a large number of winter migratory fowl such as pintail, shoveller, red crested pochard, common pochard, tufted duck, garganey teal, wigeon and fadwall.

Shergarh Fort: It is an old fort of historic importance, located toward the south of Dholpur tower. This monument was built by Sher Shah Suri on the site of an earlier Hindu fortress.

Saipau Mahadeo Temple

Ravines of Chambal

Ramsagar Sanctuary: Contains picturesque Ramsagar Lake, which supports rich aquatic life including fresh water crocodiles and a number of fishes and snakes. Water birds such as cormorants, white-breasted water hen, moor hen, jacanas, river tern, ringed plover, sand piper, and green and purple herons are quite common. During winter months migratory ducks and geese visit the lake in good numbers.

Van Vihar Wild Life Sanctuary: Van Vihar, an old wildlife reserve of the rulers of Dholpur is spread over an area of 59.86 km² over Vindhyan Plateau.

National Chambal (Gharial) Wildlife Sanctuary: The Chambal river remains one of north India’s most unpolluted rivers, home to a rich diversity of flora and fauna. National Chambal (Gharial) Wildlife Sanctuary contains the rare Ganges river dolphin. The sanctuary was founded in 1978 and is part of a large area co-administered by Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, within area of 5,400 km². Approximately 400 km of the river is within the reserve. Apart from the Ganges river dolphin, the other inhabitants of the sanctuary include mugger crocodiles and gharial (Gavialis gangeticus). Migratory birds from Siberia form its rich avian fauna.

Related Links : www.dholpur.nic.in

Into The Wilderness : Raja Ji National Park

Into The Wilderness : Raja Ji National Park

(Visiting Dehradun or Haridwar don’t miss the Wild)

The park has been created in 1983 by amalgamation of three sanctuaries- Rajaji sanctuary (estd. 1948) Motichur sanctuary (estd. 1964) and Chilla sanctuary (estd. 1977) after the name of renowned statesman and freedom fighter Sri C. Rajgopalachariya - The first and last Governor General of independent India popularly known as "Rajaji". The park is spread over an area of 820.42 sq. km. in three Districts- Dehradun, Haridwar & Pauri Garhwal of Uttaranchal State, India.

The Park has got the largest area representing Shiwalik Eco-system. The Shivalik trail is 10 million year old and very rich in fossils. Its fossils faunal remains include about 50 species of elephant; one of them is present today. 
The majestic Ganges flows through the National Park for a distance of 24km, besides the innumerable streams and brooks making it rich and diverse. It offers ample opportunities to nature lovers to enjoy the captivating landscape and wildlife.

              

Rajaji is thickly foliated predominantly by the Sal Forest and a number of other forest types which include the Western Gangetic Moist and Northern dry Deciduous and Khair-Sissoo forests. Low Alluvial Savannah Woodlands cover the drier southern margins of the park, in contrast to the Shiwalik Chir-Pine on the high reaches of the hills.

    

The park is home to the Tiger, Leopard, Himalayan Bear, Cheetal, hog deer, barking deer, Sambar deer, wild boar, antelopes such as the Nilgai, Goral , Jackal, Hyena, Jungle Cat, Leopard Cat, Civets, Himalayan Yellow-Throated Marten, Sloth Bears, Pythons, King Cobra, Common Krait, Indian Cobra and the Monitor Lizard and above All the Asian Elephant.

Witness the Heaven : Keylong

Keylong 

Situated at an altitude of 3350 mtrs., Keylong is the head quarter of Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh lying on Indo-Tebetan Border. The region is strange, exciting, primitive mountaineous and delightful. "Rudyard Kipling said of the region " Surely the God live here thisno place for men. " the route of Lahaul takes a traveller over Rohtang Pass (3980m above the sea level). Koksar ( 1st village of Tandi crossing the river Chanderbhaga.

How to get there
By road the distance from Manali is 115 km. Due to heavy snowfall the Rohtang pass remains closed from Taxis are available from Manali, HPTDC also plies regular buses to Leh via Keylong during season. Nearest airport is Bhunter. 175 km from Keylong. The nearest railhead is at Jogindernagar, 250 km away.

Climate
Lahaul remains cut- off from outside the world till mid June due to heavy snowfall and closing of Rohtang Pass. There is little or no rain in monsoon. The climate remains dry and invigorating. The days are hot and nights are extremely cold. Heavy/Light woollens are recommended.

Places of Interest in and around Keylong
Lahaul is well for its monasteries, locally called gompas, which are great repositories of Budhist faith and art treasures. These are Kardang-8 km. Shasur-3 km. Guru Ghantal - 4 km. And Tyaul 6 km.

Tandi
(2573m) 8kms, short of Keylong, on the Manali-Leh Road, situated on the confluence of Chandra and Bhaga rivers. 

Sissu
(3100) on the bank of Chandra 15 km from Koksar, every spring and autumn wild geese and ducks halt here on their way to and from Siberia.

Gondla
(3110) 18 km from Keylong on the right bank of river Chandra. Famous for ancient Fort.

Udaipur
(2523m) 53 km from Keylong, home of the Mrikula Devi temple, which is famous for wood carvings.

Triloknath
(2760m) 4 km from Udaipur. Famous for Trilokinath temple. Sacred both for Hindu and Buddhist.

Baralacha Pass (4883m)
On the Manali-Leh road this pass was once used by travellers to Central Asia for centuries and now by high altitude trekkers.

Adventure and Fishing
The Manali based Mountaineering Institute organises skiing, rock climbing and mountaineering courses, Numerous treks and adventure trails lead out of Manali.

Shopping
Shawls, Local tweeds, caps, rugs (namdas) footwear, fresh fruit, natural oils (olive and almond), silver jewellery, pullovers, metal craft, woollen jackets and bamboo products.

 863 Temples together : Paltina

A 56 km drive from Bhavnagar, Palitana lies at the foot of the Shatrunjaya hill, with the Shatrunjaya river flowing to its south. 


The sacred hill rises in a crescendo of magnificent temples, 863 in all, that soar in splendour to the summit. These temples were built over a span of 900 years. The 600 m climb to the peak is usually made on foot. 

River Expedition : Brahamaputara (The mighty one) & Discovering Tuting (the amazing beauty of Arunachal Pradesh)

River Expedition : Brahamaputara (The mighty one) & Discovering Tuting (the amazing beauty of Arunachal Pradesh)

The Tsang po river from Tibet flows into India as Siang and after the confluence of Dibang and Lohit becomes the great Brahmaputra. While most Indian rivers bear female names, this river has a rare male name, as it means "son of Brahma" in Sanskrit. The expedition on the great Brahmaputra begins at Tuting in Arunachal Pradesh where it is still called the Siang.

 Tuting is inhabited by adi tribe of tar and tibetan , some localities of this town are named as lali basti, bazar line, bihari line, podung basti. The main festival of tuting is the solung festival which is celeberated in the first three days of september everyyear,besides the local tibetan population celeberates the losar new year festival in february every year.

Get ready for some of the best big white water the world has on offer for rafting. You'll be pumping adrenaline all the way as you hit rapids such as the ‘Pulsating Pulsi’ and ‘Toothfairy’ at Cherring. This self contained river run offers an awe-inspiring journey through tropical forests, gorges and a peek into a rich culture, unlike any other. The Great Brahmaputra is for anyone who is looking for an exhilarating rafting and kayaking experience that is sure to leave you with goose bumps whenever you think about it.

You can camp on a beach beside the river almost every night of the expedition and doze off, gazing at the stars as you slip into dreams of the adventures of the day and look forward to the next.

   

   

Bhangarh Fort : The most haunted place in India

Bhangarh is a place on way from Jaipur to Alwar city in Rajasthan state of India. Today Bhangarh is known for its ruins where nobody dares to stay after sunset. Looking through history we find that this town was established by Madho Singh, younger brother of King Akbar’s General Raja Man Singh, in 1631. But the city seems to have been abandoned in a hurry some centuries later.

The local folks say that due to a curse the whole town was vacated overnight. According to the story of the curse, if the town was ever rediscovered the township would not be found, but only temples would show up.
True to the story only temples dot the landscape and even far up on the mountains only shrines can be seen. It is said that nobody returns from there who stays after dark.
By the Government of India rules there has to be an office of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) beside every historical structure in India. But even government authorities did not dare to open an office there. They opened their office about one kilometer away from the ruins of Bhangarh. Even this office is close to a temple because of this myth. ASI has put a signboard at Bhangarh saying, "Staying after sunset is strictly prohibited in this area."

People who visit this place out of tourist interest say that there is a strange feeling in the atmosphere of Bhangarh, which causes sort of anxiety and restlessness.
The story of this restlessness goes as the following. The charm of princess of Bhangarh Ratnawati was said to be matchless in entire Rajasthan. Being merely eighteen years old, the princess started getting wedding offers from other states. In the same region there also lived a tantrik, a magician using black magic, named Singhia who was desperately in love with the princess and who also knew that king would never even allow him to see the princess.
Once he saw princess's maid in the market buying scented oil for princess. Seeing this he got a wicked idea of getting the princess. He used his black magic and put a spell on the oil which would hypnotise the princess by her mere touching the oil and she would immedialely walk towards the tantrik to satisfy him sexually. But as soon as the princess got the oil she threw it on the block of a stone as she had seen the tantrik eying the oil. As soon as the oil touched the stone, the stone started rolling towards the wicked tantrik Singhia and crushed him. While dying Singhia cursed the palace that there will be such an incident that everybody in the palace would die and their souls will stay there for centuries without rebirth. The very next year there was a battle between Bhangarh-Ajabgarh and no one survived in the battle nor in the palace, not even the princess Ratnawati.Also the prime minister cursed Bhangarh that no one would settle there in future and whoever dares will die as well. It is said by the local villagers that whenever a house has been built there its roof has collapsed. It seems to be true because inside Bhangarh all the houses are without a roof and even at the closest village where people reside, they still have roofs made of straw but not bricks.