Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra is a remarkable structure of Indo-Islamic architecture said to have been built in two and a half days flat. This mosque was a Sanskrit college in the 12th century but in 1193 AD Mohammad Ghori destroyed the college and built a mosque in its place. It is built on pillars and surprisingly no two pillars are alike. The distinct pillars-and arched 'Screen' with its ruined minarets make it a splendid architectural masterpiece. The monument has seven arched walls with Islamic calligraphy, though most of it now remains in ruins. 'Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra' literally means 'shed of two-and-a-half days'. As mentioned earlier, a legend states that a part of the mosque was built in two-and-a-half days. Some Sufis claim that the name signifies a human's temporary life on the earth. According to the ASI, the name probably comes from a two-and-a-half-day-long fair that used to be held at the site. Har Bilas Sarda points out that the name 'Adhai-Din-ka-Jhonpra' is not mentioned in any historical source. Before the 18th century, the mosque was simply known as a 'Masjid' ("mosque"), since it had been the only mosque in Ajmer for centuries.
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With a number of beautiful and majestic towers and balconies over the lake, City Palace is known to the world as the largest palace of Udaipur, Rajasthan. The magnificent architectural beauty of this palace has managed to survive successfully till now with glory. In fact, it is one of the major attractions for the tourists of Udaipur. The main attraction of the Palace is definitely the beautiful panoramic view of the lake and its surrounding cities which can be best viewed from the top of it. Another important fact about this palace is it has been built several times by numerous generations of its rulers, one after another. Every element built in this palace contains a strategy behind it, so the portico beauty of City Palace is more of a defensive structure. Things to Do: You can roam all through the day into the different structures built inside the City Palace which include – • Gateways – Badi pol is the main entrance to the palace. This leads to the pol of Tripolia which allows the tourists to enter the north side of the palace. • Amar Vilas – It is the highest court here. It has an elevated garden structure which lets the tourists enter the Badi Mahal. This Mughal style garden holds many fountains, arcades, towers, and terrace. • Badi Mahal – Badi Mahal or garden palace is a great construction of natural rocks. It has a hall with miniature paintings and a swimming pool. • Bhim Vilas – It is a gallery that includes various miniature paintings which all relate to the life of Radha and Krishna. • Chini Chitrashala – It is the art-house of the palace which is decorated with Dutch and Chinese style tiles. • Choti Chitrashali – This palace is filled with pictures and paintings of the 19th century and its earlier times. • Durbar Hall – This hall room was sued for meetings and banquets. Maharana Fateh Singh built this Minto Hall. It holds luxurious interiors, chandeliers, portraits, etc. • Fateh Prakash Palace – It is now a heritage hotel. • Krishna Vilas – This chamber is filled with miniature pictures depicting the royal lifestyle. • Lakshmi Vilas Chowk – This art gallery is filled with Mewar Paintings. • Manak Mahal – It was the meeting hall of the Kings. • Mor Chowk – Peacock Square is one of the inner courts of the palace. It is named after the three peacocks of the season – summer, winter and monsoon. • Kanch ki Burj – Maharana Karan Singhji built this in the 16th century. The dome ceiling is made of glasses and mirrors. • Rang Bhawan – It contains the royal treasure of the rulers. • Sheesh Mahal – Maharani Ajabde built this palace of mirrors to see her own reflection. • City Palace Museum – It is now open for the tourists. It holds the artifacts of the royal era. History: The City Palace, Udaipur has a similar age of the city itself, both made at the same time. But during the next 400 years, the administration took a deep interest in building and rebuilding it several times. during 568 AD, the land of the palace was the property of the Mewars. In the 16th century, Maharaja Uday Singh inherited the property. Later when the capital city Chittor of his reign was under war, he decided to move the capital of his kingdom somewhere nearby Lake Pichola. This is when City Palace became the new capital. He actually found this site when he was on hunting one day. The royal courtyard was the first structure made for the City Palace. Maharaja Uday Singh II died during the construction of this palace, and his son then carried on the process. However, during the war of Haldighati, City Palace was owned by Mughal Samrat Akbar. Later, the Rajputs took back the ownership and continued its construction work once again. And, it continued until the 19th century, when the British came into India and captured the palace. But even during the British rule, the Rajputs constructed much-disguised structures inside the palace complex. After the independence of India, the ownership of City palace went into the hands of the Indian Government. Architecture: City Palace, Udaipur is situated on the top of the hill. The architecture of this palace shows a perfect fusion of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture style patterns. The palace structure is constructed on the east side of Lake Pichola. The geographical location of the palace is 598m above sea level. It was built in such a way that a panoramic view could be achieved by the approaching enemy soldiers. About 22 generations of the Rajputs built the entire palace and eleven smaller palaces inside its complex, which are all identical in their architectural patterns. Materials used to build the palace structure were granite and marble. The interior of the palace is designed with marble works, silver works, inlay works, and murals. All the palaces inside the City Palace are connected with various corridors and chowks. The palace contains zigzag-shaped courtyards which were built with the motive to restrain the quick advancement of the enemy troops. Best Time to Visit: October to March is the best time to visit Udaipur as this remains winter here. How to Reach? If you want to explore Udaipur in a majestic way, you can ride on some standard luxury trains of the nation including – • Palace on wheels • The heritage of India • The Indian splendor • Indian odyssey Otherwise, you can take a flight to Dabok Airport, Udaipur. Various trains also reach Udaipur railway station from a range of cities in India. Else, ride on public or private bus transport to reach Udaipur via roadways. FAQs and Information: Today, a few palaces inside the main palace have turned into heritage hotels which also contain some craft shops, boutiques, etc. If you want to spend a perfect holiday in a majestic environment, you must visit City Palace, Udaipur.
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Purjan vihar, Alwar is a beautiful and aesthetic garden well-known in Rajasthan. The verdant greenery and brilliant architecture of this garden is something that you must visit on your trip to Alwar. Built-in 1868 by Maharaja Shiv Dan Singh this picturesque destination with splendid lawns and the trimmed garden is located in the heart of the city and draws many visitors from different parts of the nation. This was once a royal heritage property but is now open for the common public owing to its beauty and old-world charm. Tips For Visiting This place is open from 9 am to 5 pm for tourists and visitors. There is no entry fee to get into the garden. The minimum time required to explore this place is about 1-2 hours. Things to do Purjan Vihar, Alwar is an ideal picnic spot to enjoy your day with family and friends. You can explore this stunning garden and enjoy its architecture. Along with this, you can enjoy other activities like visiting tiger reserve and going fishing in Lake Siliserh or if you are a devotee of Karni Mata you can visit Karni Mata temple on your tour to the city of Alwar. There are tons of other activities like visiting forts, museums, palaces, etc which you can plan and enjoy with all your loved ones on your trip. How to reach? This tourist destination is well connected by rail, road, and air. The nearest railway station is the Alwar railway station, which is connected with major cities railway stations like Mumbai, Agra, etc while Jaipur airport is the nearest airport which is also welled with regular domestic flights. PurjanVihar, Alwar being in the center of the city, can easily be reached by taking a rickshaw, taxi or local bus. History The garden was created in the 19th century by Maharaja Shiv Dan Singh in the year 1868. Huge structures with dome known as ‘Shimla’ were built all around the garden to prevent the blazing sun from entering this stunning garden. This was built as a summer house to escape the soaring temperature of the desert. Originally the garden was known as ‘company garden’ but the park was later renamed by Maharaja Jai Singh as Purjan Vihar. The outstanding formation of structure and innate aesthetic beauty of the garden of Purjan Vihar, Alwar is what draws tourist from all over the world Best Time to Visit The best time to visit this picturesque Purjan Vihar, Alwar is during sunrise so that you can appreciate its natural beauty to the fullest. The period from September to February is an ideal time to take your family and friends on this trip. The weather is very moderate in Alwar with hot summer, rainy monsoon, and pleasant winters. Nearby Attractions Siliserh Lake- The Lake was built in 1845 AD by Maharaj Vinay Singh who has several domed cenotaphs. It is spread over 7 sqkm and forms the backdrop of Siliserh palace. The major activity on the lake is fishing and it is 13km away from the city of Alwar. You can see a lot of migratory birds on your trip to Siliserh Lake, too as it is located within Aravalli hills. Bala Quila - The fort was built before Mughal rule in India and is also known as Alwar fort. It is located 595m away from the city center. The fort is large and consists of 15 large towers and 51 small towers. There are 6 gates and 446 holes for firing guns. The gates are named after famous personalities which adds to its attraction and has much history associated with it. Government Museum - This is a must-visit place with lots of Persian and Sanskrit manuscripts, musical instruments, stuffed animals, miniature paintings, pottery, and brass work, etc which can be seen in government museums. Formed post-independence it houses several items from the palace. Moosi Maharani Ki Chhatri– It is a tomb of Maharaja Bhaktawar Singh and his queen Rani Moosi. The tomb was built by Maharaja Vinay Singh and is on pillared walls. This elephant structured design is a key element of the attraction along with gold leaf painting and sculptures in the ceiling. The cenotaph is made from indo- Islamic architectural design like floral tracery, domed arches, etc. The Chhatri is located in the banks of Lake Sagar, surrounded by a garden. Karni Mata Temple- This popular pilgrim temple is situated on the way to Bala Qila in Alwar. The temple is dedicated to Karni Mata, who is a guardian deity of royal families. It is built in sandstone and has an exemplary design that blends Indian and Mughal styles. It has pillared galleries topped with carved domes and pergolas while the inner walls depict stories of Karni Mata. The temple is known for rats and draws devotees from different parts of the world. PurjanVihar, Alwar has become a landmark Alwar attraction with its luxuriant lawns and natural beauty under the patronage of maharaja Shiv Dan Singh. This is among the most beautiful tourist destination in Alwar and attracts visitors from in and around the world. With easy connectivity and tons of places to visit and activities to do, Alwar makes for an ideal getaway for a family vacation. So next time you want to plan a trip to Rajasthan, make sure to stop at Alwar to enjoy its rich culture and breath-taking beautiful tourist destinations to enjoy your vacation to the fullest.
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Naturally carved by Mother Nature in the shape of toad, the Toad Rock is an amazing attraction in Mount Abu. It is a perfect hangout spot for the locals and tourists. People often visit Toad Rock for enjoying a day's itinerary. Visiting this place offers a great view of the nearby region. It Is Known For:-1) Toad Rock is a famous tourist site that resembles the shape of a toad2) It can be climbed for witnessing a scenic view of Nakki Lake and the nearby beauteous surroundings3) During winters, climbing atop the Toad Rock provides a soulful view of the lake and the nearby village shrouded in the blanket of fog. Best Time To Visit:-Toad Rock welcomes the visitors from nearby and far off places on a daily basis. Due to its breathtaking location, it never disappoints anybody. Thus, it can be visited during any time and season of the year. Reaching There:-Reaching the site of the Toad Rock is not a hassle. It is well-connected with all the major roads in the city. People just require a short trek to the hillock to reach the place. The service of horse rides is also available for all visitors. Nearest Railway Station- Mount Abu Railway StationNearest Airport- Jaipur Airport
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Champaa Caves or Champa Caves is a historical site in Mount Abu. These caves lie in the midway to Nakki Lake and Toad Rock. Presently, it is a famous location for experiencing the buzz of trekking. In the previous times, it was the place where the famous Indian saint Swami Vivekananda meditated for a few weeks. Today, it is a famous tourist site and is visited by numerous visitors daily. It Is Known For:-1) Champa Caves is an important site because of Swami Vivekananda. After the death of his teacher, Swami R.K Paramhamsa, he decided to follow celibacy by giving up the worldly pleasures and becoming a monk2) There are 2 sections in the caves where a smaller one was used as a meditating seat, whereas, the other one was used as a bedroom. It is said that Swami Vivekananda didn't eat or drink during his tenure of meditation3) This site is also known for its scenic surroundings. Trekkers adore Champaa Caves as they can enjoy the activity of trekking. Best Time To Visit:-Excluding the monsoons, any season of the year is considered as apt for paying a visit to Champaa Caves. During monsoons, the conditions aren't favorable for exploring the caves safely. Reaching There:-Champaa Caves is well-connected via all major roads of Mount Abu. Such connectivity allows the local buses and taxis to commute to and from the caves easily. Nearest Railway Station- Mount Abu Railway StationNearest Airport- Jaipur Airport
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Located on the banks of the Gaib Sagar Lake, the Badal Mahal is one of the most astounding palaces to visit in Dungarpur. The palace not only has a rich heritage but is also known for the splendid history that is attached to it. The artistic design of the mahal is what attracts many of the history and architectural buffs to this part. If you see the palace, it has been constructed using solely the Dawra stones. Its construction is believed to have been completed in two separate stages. Literally translated as the cloud palace, Badal Mahal is known for its splendor and its beauty. You can plan your visit around a time when you can get to stay here during the evening and when the lights are lit up, the reflection of the mahal on the Gaib Sagar Lake is something worth watching. History The Badal Mahal was built even before the 15the century. The second stage construction of the Badal Mahal was done during the 17th century or between the years 1609 and 1657. The first floor, dome, and the verandah around the palace were built during this second stage of the construction itself by Maharawal Punjraj. Now, Badal Mahal acts as a leisure home and many of the state guests used to stay here during their visit. It was even used as a camping place for a long time. Architecture It has a true Rajasthani décor that makes the Badal Mahal stand out. There are three domes and a large verandah within its complex. The lights that are lit up during the night a the Badal Mahal make this palace look even more beautiful. Best Time to Visit Located in the Dungarpur area of Rajasthan, the best time to visit the Badal Mahal is the whole year except during the hot summer months. You should avoid visiting here during the months of April, May, and June, and plan your visit around the months of November, December, January, and February. How to Reach Located in Dungarpur, the Badal Mahal is one of the most easily accessible palaces in the area. Whether you are traveling within Rajasthan or coming from some other part of the country, you can easily reach here by road, rail, or even air. Located on the banks of Gaib Sagar Lake, one can reach the Badal Mahal by bus and taxi and even one’s own commute. The nearest railway station from the Badal Mahal is the Dungarpur Railway Station. It has trains from the Delhi, Mumbai, Agra, and many other major cities. If you are coming by air, you can get down at the Udaipur Airport which is around 132 km away from Badal Mahal. Nearby Attractions There are many places near Badal Mahal that you can visit when you are planning a visit there. One of these is the Juna Mahal, a similar palace in Dungarpur. He Gaib Sagar Lake is another popular tourist attraction near the Badal Mahal. The Rajmata Devendra Kunwar Museum is another place to visit here. You can also visit the Udai Bilas Palace or the Baneshwar temple when you are in Dungarpur to ensure that you have made complete worth of your day visit. Tips For Visiting Make sure to bring your sunglasses and put on your exploring shoes when you are visiting the Badal Mahal.
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There is something about visiting the old monuments. They tell a very unique and different story and even transpose us to a completely different era. India is blessed to be having so many old monuments, palaces, and forts. One among them is Juna Mahal. Located right in the land of royalties and riches, Juna Mahal, Dungarpur is one of the most anticipated palaces to be visited in Rajasthan. Also known as ‘Bada Mahal’, this place is situated right at the foothills of the Aravali Hills. It was built by Rawal Veer Singh Deo and has been undergoing a lot of renovation till the 19th century to come to life as it is seen now. History The first palace or mahal in the Juna Mahal complex is believed to have been built around the thirteenth century. However, many new courtyards, rooms, floors, wings, and fortifications kept on being added to the Mahal until the 19th century. Until the middle of the 20th century, i.e., until the 1950s, this mahal was used for inhabitation. However, after that, it fell into disrepair, and now is just another tourist location in the city. Today, it is among the World Monuments Watch (added in 2014) and awareness about this longest inhabited structure is being spread. Architecture The Juna Mahal is pedestaled high on a Darwa Stone. This gives it an elevation and helps you get a panoramic view of Dungarpur from the mahal complex. The palace is 7 stories high and has just one single staircase running through the entire palace complex, which gives it the look of a single structure. What sets this palace apart from the other palaces is that it is majorly built using the local Parewa stone. Its architecture shares a similarity with the Rajput style architecture. One can see detailed handwork on the window panes that are also built using green and blue Parewa stone. Best Time to Visit Located in the Dungarpur area of Rajasthan, it is always advisable to visit the Juna Mahal during the cool months of the year. Summers can be very hot and humid in Rajasthan and you might not be able to enjoy to the fullest if you visit during the hot months. It is advisable that if you are planning to explore the Juna Mahal, Dungarpur, travel between the months of July and March while avoiding the hot April, May, and June. How to Reach You can easily reach the Juna Mahal area using your own car or by hiring a taxi or cab. Udaipur has well-built roads that can take you to the palace. You can also take local transport to reach Dungarpur and from there take an auto or any other public transport to reach Juna Mahal. Nearby Attractions If you are visiting the Juna Mahal in Dungarpur, there are several other places that you can also pay a visit to in Dungarpur itself. One of them is the very popular Udai Bilas Palace in Dungarpur. It is a heritage hotel where you can either stay or plan a visit. You can also visit the Gaibsagar Lake in Dungarpur if you love to see the blue waters. The Dev Somnath Temple is also located just 25 kms from Dungarpur. If you want to explore some history, you can visit the Rajmata Devendra Kunwar Museum in Dungarpur as well.
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Kota Barrage is a famous tourist attraction in Rajasthan. It is a water barrage and earthen dam listed under the Chambal Valley Project. It stands on the river Chambal with a total area of 27,332 sq. km. The construction of the dam was completed in the year 1960. This barrage has 19 gates for controlling the flow of the water. It Is Known For:-1) Kota Barrage is known for its tantalizing surroundings. The view of waters speeding of the gates is simply enchanting2) Its construction terminated the irrigation issues for the farmers3) It has the canal system that supplies the water to the state of Madhya Pradesh as well4) It has emerged as a famous tourist attraction due to the activities like swimming and boating. Best Time To Visit:-Though there's no specific time for visiting Kota Barrage as visitors are seen here across the year, the best time is regarded during the monsoon. During the season, the speed of the waters when released doubles up and makes it appear even enchanting. Reaching There:-The city of Kota has a wide network of the roadways and railways. Due to the frequent services of the local transit like the bus, taxis, trains, and autos, it has become feasible for the people and visitors to commute within the city. Tourists can reach Kota Barrage by bus or taxi. Nearest Railway Station- Kota JunctionNearest Airport- Kota Airport
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Kota, which is a popular educational hub that hosts most of the student incursions organized in Rajasthan, definitely has many magnificent architectural attractions for its tourists. It is gradually becoming one of the leading industrial hubs of India too with numerous power pants inside and outside the city. Matching the core essence of Rajasthan, Kota welcomes its tourists with charming residents and colorful culture. It has a number of beautiful palaces and forts on its land including the Garh City Palace. So, overall Kota is a perfect place for having a rejuvenating holiday. Visitor Information: You should know that entry to the Garh City Palace is not free. Every Indian citizen needs to get 20 rupees’ ticket and every foreigner has to pay 40 Indian rupees for entering the palace premises. Anybody enters with a video camera need to pay additional 50 Indian rupees for that. City Palace is open every day of the week from 10 AM to 5 PM. Things to Do: You can enjoy quality time here doing sightseeing, photography, picnic, etc. with your family and friends. You can also do some shopping here in the local markets. Kota Doria is a famous kind of saree made in this city. Availability: Garh City Palace is open all days a week between 10 AM and 5 PM. History: The Garh City Palace, Kota shows a perfect confabulation of Rajasthani and Mughal art and architecture. The monument of the palace symbolizes the glorious majestic past of the city. It is a fabulous landmark of Kota that attracts most of the tourists from India and abroad every year. It was established in 1264 during the reign of Prince Jait Singh. Every part of the palace and each monument of it hold a glorious historical past that says a special story. Architecture: The City Palace is decked with impressive illuminated lights hanging from the ceilings, floral decorations on the walls, mirror made ceilings, mirror walls, and eye-catching wall paintings. Everyone would memorize the magnificent marble floorings, stylish wall decorations and elegantly fashioned entrance for a long time. The vast colorful garden around the palace adds a feather on the cap. It enhances the majesty of the palace a bit more. The palace also has a grand museum that encloses a diverse collection of feudal costumes, weaponry, attires of the former rulers, and various handicrafts and artifacts depicting the cultural heritage of the ancient days. Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit Kota is during the winter i.e. between October and March. Weather is cool and pleasing this time to walk for long hours under the sun. How to Reach? From different parts of the country, tourists can easily reach Kota via airways, railways, and roadways. • By rail – You need to board a train for Kota Junction as it is the nearest railway station of Kota. It is only 7.5 km away from the city. • By air – The nearby airport of Kota is Jaipur airport. • By road – Kota bus station which is 2 km away from the city is well connected with roadways to different major cities of India. Nearby Attractions: Some notable attractions nearby City Palace, Kota include – • Brijraj Bhawan Palace • Umed Bhawan Palace • Jagmandir Palace Other than these people can also spend some quality time in – • Azamgarh Sahib Gurudwara • Godavari Dham Temple • Garadia Mahadev Temple • Mathuradheesh Mandir • Chambal Udhyan • Seven Wonders Park Tips for Visiting: Due to its geographical position, the weather remains hot and dry most of the time here. So, if you want to enjoy your holidays here, come during winter.
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