पिछले दिनों सूरत में लापरवाही और गैर ज़िम्मेदारी के चलते महाभयंकर अग्नि काण्ड हुआ जिसके चलते 22 बच्चो कि जान चली गयी। “पर ये तो सूरत में हुआ न! उदयपुर में क्या हुआ? कुछ नहीं! तो ध्यान देने की क्या ज़रूरत! नहीं?”
फिर अभी पिछले हफ्ते शहर में एम बी हॉस्पिटल रोड स्थित अलंकार प्लाज़ा बिल्डिंग में किराए पर संचालित मेडिसेंटर लैब के प्रथम तल पर गुरूवार तड़के 6 बजे आग लग गयी। आग का कारण शार्ट- सर्किट बताया गया है। करीब एक घंटे का समय और 7 दमकल गाड़ियां लगीं आग पर पूरी तरह काबू पाने में। सुबह लैब बंद होने की वजह से जनहानी की कोई खबर नहीं है। पास ही पेट्रोल पंप होने के कारण दमकल विभाग ने एहतियात के तौर पर चार अतिरिक्त गाड़ियों का इंतज़ाम करवाया। शायद अकल्पनीय है कि अगर आग का पेट्रोल पंप की तरफ बढ़ना होता तो कितना बड़ा हादसा हो सकता था!
सूरत के भीषण अग्निकांड के बाद प्रशासन द्वारा सुध संभालते- संभालते भी शहर में हादसा हो ही गया। इस हादसे से पर तो बिना किसी हताहतों के काबू पा लिया गया पर क्या हर बार ऐसा होगा? उसकी ज़िम्मेदारी कौन लेगा? जब इस आग कि गर्मी प्रशासन तक पहुंची तब प्रशासन कि नींद खुली और पिछले दिनों इसी सुध के चलते शहर में शुक्रवार को शास्त्री सर्किल स्थित विशाल मेगा मार्ट और शनिवार को सुखाड़िया सर्किल स्तिथ बिग बाज़ार को फायर फाइटिंग सिस्टम न होने और कुछ और भी सुरक्षा कारणों के चलते सीज़ कर लिया गया। अग्निशमन अधिकारी जलज घसिया का कहना है कि दोनों इमारतों के संचालकों को तीन बार नोटिस जारी किया गया था जिनके चलते उचित कदम उठाना तो दूर, उनका जवाब तक नहीं दिया गया। और वही हुआ 338 में से उन 282 नोटिस का भी ,जो नगर निगम ने शहर भर में भवनों का निरीक्षण करके भेजे थे। शोध करके यह भी सामने आया कि 155 इमारतें हैं, जो नगर विकास प्रन्यास के अधीन आती हैं और जिनमें फायर फाइटिंग सिस्टम का अभाव है। इनकी सूची यूआईटी को भेज दी गयी थी परन्तु उनके द्वारा किसी भी प्रकार कि कार्यवाही नहीं की गयी है।
प्रशासन कि काबिलियत पर किसी को शक नहीं पर 2019 में जहाँ तकनीक आसमान छू रही है, क्या हम सिर्फ सेफ्टी सिस्टम जैसी आवश्यकताओं की वजह से सैकड़ो जानें दाव पर लगा सकते हैं ? हम जानते हैं कि बिग बाज़ार और विशाल मेगा मार्ट जैसे नामचीन ब्रांड और इनकी ईमारतों में इतना सामान और भीड़ होती है एक बार अगर अग्निकांड जैसा कभी कुछ हो भी जाए तो जनहानि आग से ज़्यादा भगदड़ से होगी। और अगर नामचीन इमारतों का यह हाल है तो बाकी ईमारतों से हम क्या उम्मीद रखें? अब देखना यह है कि अब जो यह नींद खुली है, जो कार्यवाही चली है, जो फाइल बनी है, यह कितने दिन तक चलता है और इसके फलस्वरूप उदयपुर कितना “स्मार्ट” बनता है।
उदयपुर का इतिहास व्यापक है| इसके कुछ पहलू अब तक अन-छुए हैं| इनमें से एक पहलू ऐसा है जिनके बारे में शायद हम सब ने कभी ना कभी ज़रूर सोचा होगा कि प्राचीन समय में उदयपुर व राजा के महल में शासन प्रबंध किस प्रकार रहा होगा| किस प्रकार उदयपुर के कारखाने व न्यायालय कार्य किया करते होंगे| इसका कुछ हाल महामहोपाध्याय कवि राज श्यामल दास द्वारा रचित मेवाड़ के इतिहास की प्रसिद्ध किताब “वीर विनोद” में मिल जाता है| वह हालकुछ इस प्रकार है-
“कपड़े का भंडार– कुल राज्य में जितना कपड़ा खर्च होता है वह सब इस कारखाने में से ख़रीद कर जमा होता है| कपड़े के मामूली खर्च के सिवा अगर विशेष खर्च हो तो यह अधिकारी के हुक्म से होता है
कपड़े द्वारा– इस कारखाने में खास महाराणा साहिब के धारण करने के वस्त्र रहते हैं|
रोकड़ का भंडार– यह राज्य का मामूली ख़ज़ाना है| कुल राज्य में रोकड़ का खर्च यहां से होता है|
हुक्म खर्च- यह कारखाना खास महाराणा साहिब के जेब खर्च का है| प्रतिदिन जो खर्च महाराणा साहिब के ज़बानी हुक्म होता है, उसके हिसाब पर दूसरे दिन खुद महाराणा साहब अपनी मुहर कर देते हैं|
पांडे की ओरी– (“ओरी” हमारे यहां मेवाड़ी में छोटे कमरे को कहा जाता है|) इस कारखाने में पहले तो बहुत ही प्राचीन चीजें रहती थी लेकिन उसके हिसाब किताब और जमा खर्च में गड़बड़ देखकर महाराणा शंभू सिंह जी ने कुल ख़ज़ाने की मौजूदा चीजों को मुलाहज़ा फरमाने के बाद जो चीज जिस कारखाने के लायक पाई गई उसको वहां पहुंचा दी और जो चीजें नीलामी वह बख़्शीश लायक थी, उन्हें बख़्शीश दे दी गई| महाराणा साहिब के पहने हुए जेवर और तस्वीरें भी इस कारखाने में रहती है|
सेज की ओरी – इस कारखाने में महाराणा साहिब के खास आराम करने के पलंग वगैरह की तैयारी रहती है|
रसोड़ा– इस कारखाने में सभी राजसी जन के लिए भोजन तैयार होता है| पुराने समय में वही पर भोजन किया जाता था| जिसका रिवाज़ इस तरह था की राणा साहब अपने चौकी पर विराजमान होकर भोजन करते थे| रिवाज़ तो बना लेकिन उसके बाद किसी कारण से उस कारखाने में भोजन करना बंद हो गया| वर्तमान समय में महाराणा अपनी इच्छा अनुसार पासवानों को अपने सम्मुख पंक्तियों पर बिठा कर भोजन करने की आज्ञा देते हैं|
पनेरा– इस कारखाने में महाराणा साहिब के पीने का जल, खुश्क, और तर मेवा, नाथद्वारा व एकलिंगेश्वरजी वगैरह देवस्थानों का महाप्रसाद और दवाखाना वगैरह रहता है|
सिलहखाना– इस कारखाने में तलवार, बर्छी और तीर- कमान वगैरह कई प्रकार के शस्त्र रहते है, जिनमे खड्ग भी है। इसके अतिरिक्त, वह तलवार भी है जो बेचरामाता ने शार्दूलगढ़ के राव जशकरन डोडिया को और उन्होंने महाराणा लक्ष्मणसिंह को दी थी। इस तलवार को बाँध कर महाराणा हमीर सिंह ने किला चित्तौडग़ढ़ मुसलमानों से वापिस लिया और इसी तलवार से महाराणा प्रताप अव्वल ने अकबर बादशाह के साथ कई लड़ाइयां लड़ी। उपरोक्त शस्त्रों के अलावा कई प्रकार की ढाले, तोप, कवच वगैरह भी है।
बंदूकों का कारखाना– इस कारखाने में कई प्रकार की तोड़दार बंदूक और जुजावले रहती है, इनके अलावा नए फैशन की कई तरह की टोपीदार व कारतूसी बंदूके और पिस्तौलें वर्तमान महाराणा साहिब (महाराणा सज्जन सिंह जी) ने इकट्ठी करी है। पहले यह कारखाना बाबा चंद्र सिंह के निगरानी में था और अब प्रताप सिंह की संभाल में है।
छुरी कटारी की ओरी– इस कारखाने में कई प्रकार की छुरीव कटारियां रहती है।
देवस्थान की कचहरी– इस कारखाने में कई छोटे-मोटे देव-स्थानों के जमाखर्ची का प्रबंध है, जिनके पुजारियों के लिए कुछ ब्न्धात नियत कर दिया गया है, जो कुछ उनको इस कचहरी के द्वारा मिलता रहता है। जो कुछ बचत जिस मंदिर की आमदनी से होती है वह उसी मंदिर की समझी जाती है। केवल निगरानी मात्र राज्य की ओर से मालिकाना तौर पर रहती है। यह कचहरी महाराणा स्वरूपसिंह जी के समय से जारी है।
Shambhuniwas [Shambhu Niwas] Palace, Udaipurशंभूनिवास– महाराणा शम्भुसिंह जी ने शंभूनिवास नामी अंग्रेजी तर्ज़ का एक महल बनवा कर उसकी तैयारी व रौशनी वगैरह का सामान तथा बहुत सी किस्म की प्राचीन चीज़ें इसी महल के दरोगाह रत्नलाल के सुपुर्द कर दी थी, जिससे यह एक बहुत बड़ा कारखाना बन गया।
जनानी ड्योढ़ी – यह कोई कारखाना नहीं है, बल्कि एक अलग ही सरकार है। सैंकड़ो औरत व मर्द इस ड्योढ़ी से परवरिश पाते है। ड्योढ़ी का कुल काम महता लालचंद व प्यारचंद की निगरानी से होता है और इनके त्तहत में महारानियो के कामदार, मौसल, और दास, दासिया वगैरह सैंकड़ो मनुष्य है|
Elephant fight, Odeypur
फ़िलख़ानाह– इस कारखाने के निगरान पहले बाबा चन्द्रसिंह हुए, बाद में महाराणा स्वरुपसिंह जी ने इसकी बागडोर ढीकडियां राधाकृष्ण के हाथों सौंप दी जो उनके बाद उनके बेटो ने बखूबी संभाली। इस कारखाने मैं पैंतीस से लेकर पचास हाथी रहते है।
Stables in the palace, Udaipur
घुड़शाला– इस कारखाने में ख़ास महाराणा साहिब की सवारी के और सभ्यजनों के घोड़े तथा बग्घियों के घोड़े-घोड़िया रहती है।
फर्राशखानह– इस कारखाने मे राज्य के कुल डेरे, सरायचे, कनाते, परदे, फर्श वगैरह व महलो का सामान रहता है।
छापाखानह– यह कारखाना बैकुण्ठवासी महाराणा सज्जनसिंह जी ने कायम किया था। इसमें “सज्जन कीर्ति सुधारक” नामक अखबार, अदालतों के इश्तिहार, समन वगैरह कागज़ात छपते है। आपको बता दे की यह किताब (वीर विनोद) भी इसी कारखाने में छपी है।
पुस्तकालय– इस राज्य में दो मुख्य पुस्तकालय है, एक नवीन पुस्तकालय जिसका नाम “श्री सज्जनवाणी विलास” है, जिसका महाराणा सज्जनसिंह साहिब ने निर्माण किया है और दूसरी प्राचीन “सरस्वती भण्डार” के नाम से प्रसिद्ध है। इनके अलावा मदरसे व विक्टोरिया हॉल का पुस्तकालय अलग है।
ऊँटो का कारखाना– रियासत में ऊँटो के दो कारखाने है। एक ढिकड़िया नाथूलाल के त्तहत में है जिसमे नौकर ऊंट और हज़ार-बारह सौ सरकारी ऊंट है। और दूसरा मेरे (कविराज श्यामलदास) त्तहत है जिसमे 40 ऊंट और 10 घोड़ियां है। यह चौकी के उन पचास सरदारों की सवारी के लिए है जो मेरे त्तहत में है। इन सरदारों की नौकरी ख़ास महाराणा साहिब के हुक्म से ली जाती है।
The Victoria Hall, Udaipur
विक्टोरिया हॉल– यह कारखाना महाराणा साहिब ने अपनी क़द्रदानी और महारानी क्वीन विक्टोरिया की यादगार ज्युबिली के निमित्त सज्जन निवास बाग में एक बहुत अच्छा महल बनवा कर कायम किया है। इसमें दो और भाग है- एक संग्रहालय और दूसरा पुस्तकालय।
टकशाल– पहले राज्य में दो टकशाले थी- एक चित्तौड़ में और दूसरी उदयपुर में। फिरहाल उदयपुर की टकशाला ही जारी है जिसमे स्वरूपशाही अशर्फिया और स्वरूपशाही, उदयपुरी और चांदोड़ी रुपया बनता है।
जंगी फ़ौज– यह क़वायदी फ़ौज है। इसकी बुनियाद महाराणा शम्भुसिंह जी के समय पड़ी थी। लेकिन महाराणा सज्जनसिंह जी ने इसको बढ़ा कर और भी दुरुस्त कर दिया। इसमें क़वायदी पल्टने, रिसालह, तोपखाना, और बैंड-बाजा वगैरह शामिल है।
मुल्की फ़ौज– इस फ़ौज से मुल्क़ी पुलिस का काम लिया जाता है।
महकमे ख़ास के सभी कारखानों का बयान तो हम ऊपर लिख चुके है, अब दूसरा भाग अदालती रहा। उसका वर्णन कुछ इस प्रकार है-
महद्राज सभा– इसे मेवाड़ की “रॉयल कॉउन्सिल” समझाना चाहिए। दो बैठके मिलकर फैसलानामा बनाती है जो महाराणा साहिब के सामने पेश किया जाता है फिर उनकी मंजूरी के अनुसार ही फैसले जारी किये जाते है।
महकमह स्टाम्प व रजिस्ट्री– इसमें स्टाम्प छप कर जारी होते है। मकानात व ज़मीन जायदाद की खरीद फरोख्त के विषय में रजिस्ट्री की कार्रवाई भी यही होती है।”
गौरतलब है की पुरातन शासन प्रबंध आज के उदयपुर का आधार है। शान्ति और एकता हमेशा से ही यहाँ बसी है और आशा है की उदयपुर युहीं दुनिया में अपनी पहचान बनाये रखेगा।
उदयपुर के कुछ और प्राचीन और रौचक तस्वीरें देखने के लिए यहाँ क्लिक करें-
आज हरियाली तीज के मौके पर हम आपको इसी के कुछ पहलुओं से अवगत करवाने वाले है। हरियाली तीज का त्यौहार प्रतिवर्ष श्रावण के महीने की शुरुवात में मनाया जाता। देवी पार्वती को समर्पित, तीज का त्यौहार देवी पार्वती और भगवान शिव के मिलन की स्मृति में मनाया जाता है। सावन का महीना और भगवान शिव और देवी पार्वती का पवित्र रिवायत इस त्यौहार का आधार है।
apkisaheli.com
हरियाली तीज का इतिहास
हरियाली तीज का त्यौहार देवी पार्वती का भगवान शिव के प्रति अनंत निष्ठा व प्रेम का प्रतीक है। इस दिन भगवान शिव और देवी पार्वती, हज़ारों सालों के बाद, फिर से, एक हो गए थे। इस त्यौहार के रीति- रिवाज और परंपरा भी प्रेम और निष्ठा के अद्भुत संगम का आधार है। इसका का कुछ विवरण मेवाड़ के इतिहास की प्रसिद्ध किताब, महामहोपाध्याय कविराज श्यामलदास (महाराणा सज्जन सिंह जी के आश्रित कवि) द्वारा रचित “वीर विनोद” में भी मिल जाता है। किताब का अंश कुछ इस प्रकार है- “श्रावण शुक्ल 3 को तीज का त्यौहार मनाया जाता है। इस त्यौहार को राजपूताना में राजा व प्रजा सब मानते है, और महाराणा जगनिवास महल में पधार कर गोठ जीमते है और रंगीन रस्सों के झूलो पर औरते झूलती और गायन करती है। शाम के वक़्त महाराणा जुलुस के साथ नाव सवार हो कर राग रंग के किनारे पर पहुंचते है। यदि इच्छा हो तो वह से हाथी या घोड़े पर सवार हो कर सीधे महलो में पधार जाते है। पश्चात, जगनिवास महल और बाड़ी महल में वैसी ही तैयारियाँ होती है जैसी गणगौर के उत्सव में बयान की गयी है।”
News Nation
हरियाली तीज का महत्व
सावन का महीना त्यौहार मनाने योग्य ही तो है क्योंकि वर्षा का आगमन जो होता है भूमि पर। इस दिन, सभी वर्ग की औरते लहरिए-बांधनी साड़ी पहने, गेहेनो और मेहँदी से सज कर देवी पार्वती के दर्शन हेतु जाती है और बाघों में झूले लगाए जाते है। “सावन के झूले” का प्रसंग काफी प्रसिद्ध है। तीज का त्यौहार झूलो के बिना अधूरा सा लगता है और इनकी सजावट भी कुछ राजस्थानी ढंग से की जाती है। चमकीले लाल-पीले-हरे रंग के घाघरा- चोली पहने सभी विवाहित महिलाएँ इन झूलो का आनंद लेती है और साथ ही साथ देवी पार्वती की भक्ति से सराबोर लोक गीत गाती है इसी आशा में की देवी पार्वती सदैव उन पर अपनी कृपा बनाए रखेंगी। सावन के गीत गाने की परंपरा भी काफी प्रचलित है। मेहँदी भी काफी प्रचलित और मान्य परंपराओं में से एक है। मेहँदी और चूडियो से सजे हाथ, तीज के पर्व की शोभा में चार चाँद लगा देते है।तीज के त्यौहार पर घेवर का राजस्थान में एक अलग महत्व है। यह पारंपरिक मिठाई मैदा, चीनी और अलग-अलग ड्राई फ्रूट्स सब मिलकर बनी होती है साथ ही साथ इसके ऊपर केसर का छितराव और चाँदी का वर्क चढ़ा होता है। इस मिठाई की आपको दस के आस-पास वैरायटी देखने को मिल जाएगी जिनमें केसर घेवर, पनीर घेवर, मलाई घेवर बहुत प्रसिद्ध है। मिठाई पर घी की मोटी परत होने के बावजूद यह खाने में बेहद सुपाच्य मानी जाती है। तीज पर घेवर को शादीशुदा लड़की को देने का भी परंपरा है। सावन मैं घेवर बनाना उत्तम क्यों रहता है, इसके पीछे कारण यह है की यह सावन की नमी भरे वातावरण को पूर्ण रूप से सोख लेता है जिससे इसका स्वाद बना रहता है। ऐसा माना जाता है कि यह मिठाई वाजिद अली शाह द्वारा जयपुर लाई गई थी। इतने सालों के बाद आज भी घेवर राजस्थान के कई भागों में मिल जाता है।
सावन, हरियाली, लहेरिये, झूले, मेहँदी, घेवर, मालपुए यह सभी इस पर्व के पर्याय है और संस्कृति व श्रद्धा से परिपूर्ण यह पर्व आज भी उसी हर्षोउल्लास से मनाया जाता है और आशा यही है की इसकी गरिमा सदैव यूही बनी रहे।
हमारे देश में त्यौहार, समय अनुसार मनाये जाते हैं। उदयपुर के लोग राजाओं-महाराजाओं के काल से ही उत्सव-जलसे बड़े धूम-धाम से मनाते आए हैं। उन्ही त्योहारों में से एक है, गणगौर। गणगौर का त्यौहार चैत्र महीने के शुक्ल पक्ष की तीज पर आता है। 18वी शताब्दी अर्थात महाराणा सज्जन सिंह जी के काल में गणगौर के इस त्यौहार का विस्तृत वर्णन कुछ इस प्रकार किया गया है- “नवीन वर्ष आरम्भ होते ही सभी ज्योतिष-गण उत्तम वस्त्र और आभूषणों से सुसज्जित होकर, महाराणा की सेवा में उपस्थित होते है तथा शुभकामनाओं के साथ महाराणा को नवीन पंचाग भेंट करते है। गणगौर इसके अगले दिन मनाया जाता है। गणगौर के दिन सभी स्त्रियाँ सुन्दर वस्त्र और आभूषण पहनकर बाग़-बावड़ियाँ में जाती है। महाराणा के आदेश पर राज्य भर में जश्न होता है। ये जश्न किसी धूम-धाम से कम नहीं होता। दिन के ठीक तीन बजे पहला नगगाड़ा बजता है, उसके बाद दूसरा और फिर तीसरे न पर महाराणा घोड़े पर विराजमान होते हैं। एकलिंगगढ़ पर 21 तोपों की सलामी दी जाती है। बड़ी पोल से त्रिपोलिया घाट तक दोनों तरफ़ लकड़ी के बड़े खूटे लगा दिए जाते है और उन पर रस्सियाँ बाँध दी जाती है। इन खूटों के आसपास पुलिस के जवान पहरा देते हैं। इन पर बाँधी गयी रस्सी के भीतर राजकीय अधिकारियों के अलावा अन्य व्यक्ति नहीं आ सकता है। जब महाराणा की सवारी महल से रवाना होती है तब सवारी के बाद सबसे आगे मेवाड़ के राजकीय निशान से चिन्हित हाथी चलते हैं, उनके पीछे के हाथियों पर सरदार, पासवान और अन्य अधिकारी होते है।
सवारी में जंगी घुड़सवारों के साथ साथ अँग्रेज़ अफ़सर भी शरीक होते है। विदेशी बाजा बजता हुआ निकलता है और उसके पीछे निकलते है सोने चाँदी के हौदे जो ख़ास हाथी पर कसे हुए होते है। इसके साथ ही राज्य के बड़े-बड़े प्रतिष्ठित लोग, उमराव, सरदार और चारण घोड़ों पर आते है। इस कारवाँ के पीछे जरी व सोने-चाँदी से सुसज्जित घोड़े रहते है।” महाराणा की सवारी का दृश्य कुछ इस प्रकार होता है- “मधुर, सुरीला बाजा बजता रहता है, उसके पीछे महाराणा अच्छी पोशाक, ‘अमर शाही’, ‘आरसी शाही’ और ‘स्वरूप शाही’ पग़डियो में से एक किस्म की पगड़ी, जामा और नाना प्रकार के हीरे मोतियों के आभूषणों को धारण किये और कमर बंध व ढाल लगाए हुए घोड़े पर विद्यमान रहते है। महाराणा के पीछे दूसरे सरदार, जागीरदार, पासवान व जंगी सैनिक रहते है और सबसे पीछे हाथी चलते है। सवारी के दोनों तरफ छड़ीदारो की बुलंद आवाज़ और आगे वीरता के दोहो का गायन करने वाले ढोलियो की आवाज़े सवारी के आनंद को दोगुना कर देती है। इसी ठाठ बाट के साथ महाराणा धीरे-धीरे त्रिपोलिया घाट पर पहुंचते है और वह घोड़े से उतर कर नाव पर सवार होते है। इनमें से एक नाव के ऊँचे गो खड़े पर लगभग दो फुट ऊंचा सिंहासन रहता है, उस पर चार खम्बो वाली लकड़ी की एक छतरी होती है। सिंहासन और छतरी ज़र्दोजी और ज़री से सुशोभित होती है। सिंहासन के चारो तरफ, नीचे के तख्तो पर शानदार पोशाकों व गहनों से सज्जित सरदार, चारण व पासवान अपने दर्जे के मुताबिक बैठते है और कितने ही अन्य लोग आसपास खड़े रहते है। महाराणा के पद के नीचे के सभ्यगण उसी के समीप जुड़ी हुई नाव में सवार होते है। नाव की सवारी धीरे-धीरे दक्षिण की तरफ बढती है और बड़ी पाल तक जाने के बाद फिर लौट कर त्रिपोलिया घाट पर आती है। दक्षिण के तरफ बढ़ते हुए आतिशबाज़ी चलाने का हुक्म दिया जाता है, तालाब के किनारों तथा कश्तियो पर से तरह-तरह की रंग-बिरंगी आतिशबाज़िया होती है। ये सब देखने में बहुत आनंद आता है। इस अवसर पर बहुत से लोग सवारी को देखने दूर-दूर से आते है, क्योंकि उदयपुर के गणगौर के जलसे की दूसरे राजपुतानों में बड़ी तारीफ़ होती है। तालाब के किनारे देखने वाले लोगो की बड़ी भीड़ रहती है, इतनी की भीतर घुसना भी बहुत कठिन हो जाता है। इसके बाद महल से गणगौर माता की सवारी निकलती है, जिस के साथ नाना प्रकार की सुन्दर पोशाकों और सोने-चाँदी के गहनों से सुसज्जित दासियो के झुंड साथ चलते है। एक स्त्री के सिर पर लगभग 3 फुट ऊंची, सोने चाँदी के गहनों से शोभायमान, लकड़ी की बनी हुई गणगौर माता की मूर्ति रखी होती है। सवारी के आगे और पीछे, सवारी के लाज़मी हाथी घोड़ों पर पंडित व ज्योतिष लोग विद्यमान रहते है। त्रिपोलिया घाट पर सवारी के पहुंचते ही महाराणा अपने सिंहासन से खड़े होकर गणगौर माता को प्रणाम करते है, फिर गणगौर माता को फर्श युक्त वेदिका पर रखकर, पंडित व ज्योतिषी लोग पूजन करके महाराणा साहिब को पुनः देते है। इसके बाद दासिया गणगौर माता के दोनों तरफ बराबर खड़े हो कर, प्रणाम के तौर पर झुकती हुई, “लहुरे” (एक तरह का गाना) गाती है। यह जलसा देखने लायक होता है। यहाँ राज्य में लकड़ी की बनी गणगौर की बड़ी मूर्ति के अलावा मिट्टी की बनी हुई गणगौर और दूसरे भगवानों की छोटी मूर्तियां भी देखी जा सकती है। बाकी शहर में दूसरे भगवान और गणगौर की मूर्तियां साथ ही निकाली जाती है। राजपूताना की कुल रियासतों में इस त्यौहार को एक बड़े उत्सव के तौर पर मनाया जाता है। इस देश में ऐसी कहावत है कि दशहरा राजपूतो के लिए और गणगौर स्त्रियों के लिए बड़ा त्यौहार है। यहाँ महादेव को ईश्वर और पार्वती को गणगौर कहते है। फिर गणगौर माता को जिस तरह जुलुस के साथ लाते है, उसी तरह फिर से महल में पहुंचाया जाता है। इसके बाद उसी फर्श पर दसियों द्वारा घूमर नृत्य और गाना-बजाना होता है। रेजिडेंट लोग भी नावों में सवार होकर इस जलसे को देखने के लिए आते है। आखिर में महाराणा रूप घाट पर नाव से उतर कर तामजान में सवार हो महल में पधार जाते है जहां कीमती गलीचे- मखमल का फर्श, ज़रदोज़ी के शामियाने व सोने चाँदी से बने हुए सिंहासन व कुर्सियां इनका इंतजार कर रही होती है और इस तरह यह जलसा पुरे 4 या उससे भी ज़्यादा दिन के लिए इसी तरह चलता रहता है”
उपरान्त दृश्य की परिकल्पना मात्र ही आनंदमय लगती है। उस ज़माने की बात ही कुछ और थी। उम्मीद है आपको ये सब पढ़कर अच्छा लगा होगा। हम आगे भी कुछ ऐसे त्योहारों के बारे में आपको बताएँगे। तब तक के लिए अलविदा।
54 years back, Her Royal Majesty, visited India just after independence in January 1961. She alongside Prince Philip landed at the Delhi airport and was greeted by the Indian President Mr. Rajendra Prasad and Premier Pandit Nehru. After her visit to Delhi, Jaipur and, Agra, she visited the Maharani of Udaipur. In Udaipur, The Queen of England was introduced to the members of Darbar who were dressed in traditional Rajasthani Paridhan including jewelry and iconic Safa Pagdi. The Queen and Duke also visited Shiv Niwas, the water palace.
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A video coverage of the Queen’s visit to India was documented by British Pathé.
About British Pathé
Wikipedia
In olden times, people used to rely on theaters for all the news of the world.
” Pathé News was a producer of newsreels and documentaries from 1910 until 1970 in the United Kingdom. Its founder, Charles Pathé, was a pioneer of moving pictures in the silent era. The Pathé News archive is known today as British Pathé”
-Wikipedia
British Pathé is considered as “one of the finest newsreel archives” in the world. It has a genuine collection of over 85,000 newsreel of historical and cultural importance.
The British Pathé YouTube channel consists of some bizarre, delightful and historical events from all around the world. From Fashion shows to war documentaries and from deaths of prominent personalities to some of the greatest inventions, it contains everything to keep you hooked. You might also come across some things first of their kind in their collection of documentaries.
The documentary featuring Queen’s visit is in three parts in which you can see how beautifully India and its monuments are captured. In the Reel- 2 of the documentary, Udaipur is featured and one can very well see how journalists, from all over the world, gathered in order to capture every moment. Moreover, local people can be seen in large numbers, sitting and waiting to catch one glimpse of the Queen.
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Furthermore, while reading this, you might be wondering about the big, white statue of “The Queen” currently placed in The Saraswati Library, Gulab Bagh, so FYI, the statue is of Queen Victoria. She was entitled Empress of India on 1 May 1876. Queen Elizabeth II is Great-Great Granddaughter of Queen Victoria. The statue was removed immediately after Independence when a riot took place. It was then replaced by the statue of Gandhi Ji.
Here is the video featuring Queen’s visit to Udaipur:
The beauty of the city which one can devour from the hillock of Karni Mata Temple is one of the many angles from which Udaipur is captured every day. I’d say this one is a better angle. Shri Mansapurna Karni Mata Temple, located on Machla Hills near Din Dayal Upadhyaya Park, is at a perfect height which is accessible through either around 150 m of stairs starting from Din Dayal Park and reaching straight up to the temple or a 4 min. Ropeway route. Surprisingly, the temple has a large well- maintained area covering most part of the hillock. The panoramic view of Lakes, Palaces, whitewashed, closely placed houses, Gulab Bagh and all the area surrounding the hill is addictive. One can actually see the shades of water of Lake Pichola from here.
Udaipurblog
Legend
The main Temple of Karni Mata in Deshnok, also known as “ the Temple of Rats”, is 30 km from Bikaner. Karni Mata was basically a Hindu sage who was born as the seventh daughter of Charan Rajput clan in 1387 AD in Suwap village of Jodhpur district. She was believed to be the incarnation of Goddess Durga. Her original name was Ridhu Bai. She was married to Depoji Charan of Sathika village but after just two years of married life and despite the initial mockery from her husband, she married off her sister Gulab to her husband and left the village forever in order to fulfill her desire to leave all the worldly affairs and live life like a Nomad. After wandering for some time with her followers and herd, she reached Deshnok and finally settled here and also by then she became Karni Mata. The temple is famous for its enormous population of 25,000 rats which are religiously known as “Kabbas”. The story behind the rat population is that once the stepson of Karni Mata, Laxman, fell and died in the Kapil Sarovar in Kolayat Tehsil in attempt to drink water. After continuous pleading from Karni Mata, Yama, The God of Death, agreed to retrieve her son as a Rat and also permitted all her male children to be reincarnated as Rats. The Kabbas are known to be very holy and feeding them with sweets and eating the food nibbled by them is considered as “prestigious”. The temple in Udaipur too has a considerable number of white and black Kabbas. Karni Mata laid the cornerstone of two major Forts of Rajasthan that is Fort of Jodhpur and Fort of Bikaner. On March 21, 1538, while returning Deshnok, the Convoy halted in order to drink water near Kolayat Tehsil. When the followers got back to her she was nowhere to be found and after much search, she was never found hence she just disappeared then and there at the age of 151 years.
Indo Vacations
Overview
The temple in Udaipur was built by Maharana Karan Singh to mark the boundary and safety of Udaipur when the area of Machla Magra was built for residency purposes between 1620-1628. The temple was abandoned for a long time before 1997 when the temple committee restored and renovated the premises and it is still in progress. The temple premises is quite large and peaceful. The stairway path to the temple is a 10 min long journey and it is fulfilled with viewpoints, rest shelters, and water cooler. To the left of the stairway, at a bit distance, lies a high structure with holes in the walls. The structure used to be the place where kings used to hide and hunt and place their guns out through these holes. It can be visited but only at your own risk as it is not maintained and might have snakes and other animals. If you take the stairway, you might also sight peacocks and their symphony is the loudest in the morning. Apart from the temple structure, there are elongated premises up to the ropeway station and one should be extremely careful about the monkeys as they chased me not once but twice. The 4 min. Ropeway journey in bright red, yellow and green cabins start from the banks of Lake Pichola to the Hill of Machla Mangra along the 387 m long cable.
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“Shri Mansapurna Karni Mata Temple” is a must visit as it does hold the powers to fulfill wishes and offers more than just peace and tranquility, it offers Udaipur at its best.
“Many Indian capitals have greater claims of size or grandeur, many are wealthier by far, But none can boast a proud heritage. His Highness Maharana of Udaipur, direct descendant of the Sun God, a natural leader by birth and tradition of all the Indian princes of the Hindu faith…….and no city could be more lovely” -The Secrets of India ( Gaumont-British Picture Corporation Limited, 1934) Maharanas of Udaipur were indeed magnificent. Hereby we bring all about the Maharanas of Udaipur.
Eternal Mewar
Maharana Bhim Singh of Mewar (r. 1778-1828)
Maharana Bhim Singh Ji, Son of Maharana Ari Singh II, was the First Maharana of Udaipur and Twenty-Fifth Maharana of Mewar. He became King at a minor age of 10 years and during his minor years of age and even adulthood, he ruled under the inspection of his mother Rajmata Sardar Kunwar Jhali Ji. He inherited an unstable kingdom and it was the same during his reign. Marathas took off from the region, taking along all the riches and farmers too abandoned the region. Apparently, Maharana too was very broke to even get his sons married, which arguably were 32 in number. To deal with the financial mess, Maharana signed a treaty with Britishers which gave them full power over the kingdom. According to the treaty, a British agent will be appointed in the kingdom to see all the affairs with no interference of the King. It was a fortunate stroke of serendipity when Col. Tod was appointed as the British agent and during his time in Udaipur, kingdom experienced good returns on revenue. He believed that Maharana was rather slothful and least interested in ruling the kingdom effectively. Maharana died at an age of sixty in 1828.
Eternal Mewar
Maharana Jawan Singh of Mewar (r. 1828- 1838)
Maharana Jawan Singh Ji, son of Maharana Bhim Singh Ji, inherited a bankrupted kingdom and ruled for a very short time span of 10 years. The treaty signed by Maharana Bhim Singh Ji turned out to be insignificant as it did not serve the purpose. Maharana Jawan Singh Ji too tried hard to lift kingdom financially but failed and kingdom did not prosper significantly. At a young age of 17, Maharana died with no designated Heir.
Maharana Sardar Singh of Mewar (r. 1838-1842)
Due to the failure of the preceding king to choose an heir, Maharana Sardar Singh Ji, the successor of Maharana Sangram Singh Ji II, was chosen as the King. He then went on to rule Udaipur but he died only after 3 years of sitting on the throne and left behind obsolescent kingdom.
Eternal Mewar
Maharana Swaroop Singh of Mewar(r. 1842-1861)
Maharana Swaroop Singh Ji, younger brother of Maharana Sardar Singh Ji, was adopted and appointed the Heir as Maharana had no son. Swaroop Singh Ji inherited an unstable kingdom but brought about some reforms to get the state back on track. He introduced a new coinage, outlawed “Sati” tradition and brought some administrative reforms. He also gained the trust of Britishers by terminating rebellion in Nimbahera and Neemuch and providing the roof to British refugees. Kingdom started uplifting. He died soon after adopting Shambhu Singh as his appointed heir.
Eternal Mewar
Maharana Shambhu Singh of Mewar(r. 1861- 1874)
Maharana Shambhu Singh Ji, the successor of Maharana Sangram Singh Ji II, became a minor king of the comparatively progressive kingdom and when he attained full power, introduced various policies and reforms and the state blossomed. He got Military reassembled under his rule, formalized various policies to arrange administrative resources, institutionalized offices for temples and holy places and the first-ever school for girls was established in the state. “Sati Pratha” was on the path of termination as a legal practice and fines were introduced for practitioners. Infrastructure saw a surge this time as roads and railway tracks were constructed. He died at an early age of 27 years, leaving behind no heir.
Eternal Mewar
Maharana Sajjan Singh of Mewar(r. 1874- 1884)
Maharana Sajjan Singh Ji, the first cousin of Maharana Shambhu Singh Ji, inherited the kingdom after Shambhu Singh Ji’s death. Under his rule, true prosperity set its foot in the kingdom. Development of railway tracks, roads, and water supply took place, Schemes for afforestation, farming techniques, and irrigation were formalised, di-siltation of Lake Pichola was done post- floods in the region, the magnificent Sajjangarh Palace aka “monsoon palace” was built and Udaipur became the second city in India to have the Municipal Corporation after Bombay. Medical and educational institutions were developed, corruption was checked and guilty were executed. On the contrary, Maharana had a profound fondness for Art and Culture and he used to compose Dohas and Sawaiyas in Thumri, Folk, and Ghazal style. The book “Haqiqat Bahida” was the version of his daily journal. He had a short yet a remarkable reign period of a mere 10 years and these 10 years are written in Gold in the history of Udaipur.
Eternal Mewar
Maharana Fateh Singh of Mewar(r. 1884-1930)
Maharana Fateh Singh Ji, the descendant of the fourth son of Maharana Sangram Singh Ji II, was adopted by Maharana Sajjan Singh Ji as his appointed heir. He shaped and brought to life all his vision during his reign. He worked towards the path of the betterment of kingdom by modernizing and improving roads, railways, settlements, medical and educational facilities. He built the Majestic Shiv Niwas Palace, which is now a luxury hotel. Fateh Sagar Lake too came into existence after the extension of Dewali Lake when Connaught dam was built. He was a true Suryavanshi King, who did not believe in the graciousness of the “the Queen”. With an extraordinary life as “the Maharana”, he died at the age of 80 years.
Eternal Mewar
Maharana Bhopal Singh of Mewar (r. 1930-1955)
Maharana Bhopal Singh Ji, son of Maharana Fateh Singh Ji, became king when India was struggling for independence. He wholeheartedly supported the political and social modifications that were taking place in the country. He institutionalized schools and colleges in the kingdom, especially for girls and also took care of the natural beauty of Udaipur. He constructed Bhopal Singh Dam and several projects for afforestation in the Aravalli region. After independence, he merged the kingdom with the Rajasthan Union and was appointed as “Maharaj Pramukh” of it by Indian Government. Even though being physically inefficient, as he was paralyzed from the waist down, he was no less than any ruler in terms of greatness and courage. He adopted Bhagwat Singh as his appointed heir and died soon after.
Eternal Mewar Blog
Maharana Bhagwat Singh of Mewar(r. 1955-1984)
Maharana Bhagwat Singh Ji, the fourth son of Maharana Sangram Singh II, steered the kingdom according to the changing times as independent India was witnessing a number of transformations then. In 1970, Royal titles and grants were being abolished and Maharana became Mr. Bhagwat Singh Mewar. A true visionary who believed in the welfare, he decided to sell the royal forts and palaces in order to maintain them the way they were. Jag Niwas was converted into Lake Palace Hotel and other estates on the shore of Lake Pichola like Fateh Prakash and Jag Mandir too were sold off. He died in 1984 and thus was the last Maharana of Udaipur.
With the intellect and initial efforts of our Kings, Udaipur is now amongst the most beautiful cities in the world where people live in harmony with each other. Culturally, traditionally, naturally and in every aspect, a city could be, Udaipur is perfect!
Mewar and its lineage have been in light since ancient times for its greatness and grandeur. In classical India, it was said, that “The Maharana of Udaipur is the Sun of Hindutva.” Many ancient travelers visited our land and wrote about the glory and dignity of the state of Mewar. This time we bring you the excerpts (translated in English) from various ancient “Safarnamas” in which the visitors from faraway lands sang about the glory of Mewar.
Xuanzang– The traveler from China
About– He was a Buddhist monk, scholar, and traveler and visited India in 621 AD. He, in his book, mentioned about Vallabhi (presently a district in Gujarat) which was once the capital of ancestral kings of Udaipur. After the rampage and destruction in the city due to some battle, Mewar was properly formed.
Source: Pinterest
Excerpt– “The lifestyle of people is somewhat influenced by Malwa region. There are undoubtedly 100 millionaires. The precious goods from all over the world can be seen here. The current king is the nephew of King Shiladitya of Malwa. His name is Dhruv Pat, and he is cheerful and, a bit, hot-tempered man. He seems to be least interested in ruling the kingdom. Every year, he holds a congregation, and he distributes precious jewels and exquisite food for seven days. He adores all the saints and deities with three dresses and medicines or equally valuable jewelry made of all seven kinds of precious stones. The king finds kindness as the greatest and he truly respects all those who are regarded as highly intellectual in the kingdom. He also honors all the monks and priests who come from foreign lands.”
Sulaiman-Al-Tajir – The traveler from Iran
About– Sulaiman was Muslim merchant, traveler, and writer from Iran and used to write in the Arabic language. He visited India and China in 851 AD. His Arabian works were translated in French and English by a French writer, Eusebius Renaudat.
Source: WikiVisually
Excerpt– “People of India and China believe that there are four most powerful kings in the world. In descending order of their power, the four kings are:
1) The King of Arabia
2) The King of China
3) The King of Greece
4) Balhara (the King of Mewar)
The Balhara is quite famous in India. All the Kings in India rule independently and are under no other king but they believe him to be the greatest. They honour him greatly. Like the King of Arab, he too distributes the gratuity lavishly. He owns many elephants and horses and possesses a ludicrous amount of treasure. Many of these kings lived for many years and some even ruled more than 50 years. Such is his generosity that even though the state is surrounded by enemy states, Balhara never orders the attack”
*Balhara is not any king particularly but all the kings of the clan were referred as Balhara.
François Bernier– The traveler from Paris
About– Mr. Bernier was a French physician and traveler. For a brief period of time, he was the personal physician of Dara Shikoh, the eldest son of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. After Dara Shikoh’s death, he was appointed to the court of Emperor Aurangzeb where he served for 12 years. He stayed in India from 1652-1669. He wrote about his experiences in India in his book, “Travels in the Mughal Empire” and wrote the following excerpt about Mewar and its bounty.
Source: Alchetron
Excerpt– “There are more than 100 Kings who do not pay“Khiraj”. They are scattered all over the state with some being near and far from Agra and Delhi. Among them, 15-16 kings are unbelievably rich and strong, Especially, “Rana”, who was known as the “King of Kings” formerly and is known to be the descendant of King Porus*. If Rana, Jai Singh (King of Alwar) and Jaswant Singh (King of Marwar), join hands against Mughal Empire, they can be a huge threat to Mughal Empire because at a time, they possess, with them, the ability to take 20,000 soldiers to a battle. Nobody is as capable as these soldiers. They are known as “Sawaar-Rajput” (as in mounted on horses) and their warrior craftsmanship has been inherited from their warrior ancestors. The “Jagir” is given in the state at only one condition that whenever Times call (battle or a war), they should at once go wherever king orders them to.”
* In Col. Tod’s times, Sisodia Clan of Mewar claimed lineage from King Porus but these claims were based only on the fact that names of the descendants had supposed similarity with King Porus’s name.
Charles Umpherston Aitchison– Lieutenant Governor of Punjab from Scotland
About– Mr. Aitchison was born in 1832 in Edinburgh. In 1885 he took India’s first Civil Services Examinations and secured the fifth position. After several positions in and around Amritsar, he went on to become Lieutenant Governor of Punjab. He is also the founder of infamous Aitchison College, Lahore which was founded in 1886.
Source: Revolvy
Excerpt– “The Royal Clan of Udaipur is the most prestigious and supreme amongst all the Rich Rajputs of India. King of Udaipur is said to be the descendant of the Ayodhya’s Raja Ram. This Royal Clan was founded by Raja Kanaksen of Vallabhi in 144 AD. The Kings of Dungarpur and Pratapgarh emerged from this Clan. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, who founded the power of Marathas, was the descendant of this clan. None was a dominion in India which could fight Muslims (Mughals) with such valor and bravery as this clan did. They took pride in the fact that they never married any of their daughters with a Muslim (Mughals) King and for quite some time, broke all the marriage-related affairs with those Rajput dominions who married off their daughters to Muslims (Mughals).”
John Malcolm– The Governor of Bombay from Scotland
About- Sir John Malcolm was born in 1769 in Eskdale, Scotland. He arrived at Madras in 1783 and was positioned as a regimental soldier in the Army of East India Company. He was appointed Governor of Bombay in 1827. He finally went back to Britain in 1831. In his memoir, “Central India,” he wrote the following excerpt related to Mewar.
Source: Wikpedia
Excerpt- He wrote about the King Of Malwa, Mahmood Khilji that “Khilji was captured by Rana Kumbha of Chittor and after some time he was mercy-released by him and his territories too were given back to him. Almost all the memoirs written till this time, have in them that how Rajput Kings used to have a huge victory over Muslim Kings again and again.”
Abul Fazl– The Author of Akbarnama
About- Shaikh Abu al-Fazal ibn Mubarak was the Prime Minister of Akbar and Author of the official written record of Akbar’s days as a Monarch. He was also amongst the nine gems of Akbar. The following excerpt is from Akbarnama.
Source: Baha’i Culture
Excerpt- “After Badshah’s Procession, even the Kings, who never served beneath any King, accepted to serve Akbar. But Rana Udai Singh, the oldest, the bravest and the one who built an empire through mountains, denied serving Badshah. As a result, Badshah had to capture the Fort of Chittorgarh.”
And so there might be very few Arabic, Persian, Urdu and Hindi books of Indian History which does not have in them the Greatness of Ranas of Udaipur written. There are numerous reasons as to why their greatness is so much celebrated. Firstly, The Chandravanshi and Suryavanshi Kings were said to be “The Greatest” in ancient India, especially the descendants of Raja Ramchandra and Royal Clan of Udaipur is said to be amongst the very first branches of this dynasty. And secondly, there are numerous accounts in history where this dynasty showcased its gallantry and valor by fighting Mughals bravely rather than surrender. Mewar and its Kings were, in a true sense, Royal because from generation to generation, each and every king brought nothing but prosperity and richness to Mewar.
“You can’t be unhappy in the middle of big, beautiful river” -Jim Harrison
Indeed, rivers are the most beautiful feature of nature created by God. They’re the most celebrated natural thing by poets as they write sonnets on it, personifying them in every possible aspect which expresses beauty or spirituality. Udaipur has been blessed by, not just one, but nine major rivers. Here is a detailed description of all the rivers and their impact on Udaipur city.
Ahad river
Banas
Origination– The river originates about 5.5 km from Kumbhalgarh, Rajsamand in the khamnor hills of Aravalli Range. It flows through north-east of Mewar before meeting River Chambal in Sawai Madhopur district of Rajasthan. The basin of the river covers the area of 45,833 square kilometers and is flows up to 512 km.
About– The river has Nathdwara, Tonk and Jahazpur district lying on it, and the river basin covers the districts of Udaipur, Rajsamand, Ajmer, Bundi, Dausa, Tonk, Bhilwara, Chittorgarh, Jaipur, Sirohi, Pali and Sawai Madhopur. The river is under the Bilaspur-Jaipur Project-2009 by Government of Rajasthan and provides drinking water to Jaipur city.
Dams–
Bisalpur Dam is situated in Tonk district, Rajasthan. The Dam was built in 1999 and serve irrigation purposes, drinking water and supplies water in surrounding region.
Bitham Dam is situated in Bhinmal city in Jalore district. The dam was completed in 1963 and serve irrigation purposes.
Nand Samand Dam is situated in Nathdwara town near Rajsamand district. The dam was completed in 1956 and serve irrigation purposes.
Tributaries– The River is seasonal and has numerous tributaries.
The right bank tributaries are Berach and Menali and the left bank tributaries are Kothari, Dheel, Dai, Kalisil, Mohel, Soradara, and Khari.
@pinterest
Berach
Origination– The River originates in the north-eastern hills of Udaipur. It serves irrigation purposes and is an important river of the drainage system of the state of Rajasthan. The river flows for 157 km and covers the catchment area of 7,502 square kilometers.
About– The River is the tributary of River Banas. After originating from Udaipur and traveling through for 157 km, it joins Banas in the Bhilwara district of Rajasthan. The river drains the districts of Udaipur, Chittorgarh, Bhilwara, Nimbahera, and Jawad.
Dams–
Badgaon Dam is situated near Vallabhnagar city in Udaipur district. The dam was completed in 1973 and serve irrigation purposes.
Bagolia Dam is situated near Vallabhnagar city in Udaipur district. The dam was completed in 1956 and serve irrigation purposes.
Fateh Sagar Dam is situated in the Girwa region of Udaipur district. The dam was completed in 1889 and serve irrigation purposes.
Madar Dam is situated in Salumber region in Udaipur district. The dam serves irrigation purposes.
Udai Sagar Dam situated in Girwa region in Udaipur district. The dam was completed in 1585 and serve irrigation purposes.
Tributaries– Ahar, Gambhiri, Wagli, Orai, and Wagon. All the tributaries are rightward flowing.
@OhMyRajasthan
Ahar
Origination- The River originates from the hills of Gogunda in the north-west of Udaipur and travels through for 25-30 km before joining the Udai Sagar Lake in the eastern part of Udaipur.
About- The river is the major river flowing through Udaipur. It is joined by numerous tributaries and sub-tributaries. The Ahar River and its tributaries are seasonal in nature and are on the peak of their youth during Monsoons. Ahar River lies at the center and its tributaries form a dendritic pattern. It is sad that the river with rich historical importance is currently the drainage body of the city and is filled with garbage and is extremely polluted and even though the word is everywhere, nothing is in progress to clean and protect it.
Dams– NA
Tributaries– The watered spill of Lake Pichola and Fateh Sagar Lake fed the river.
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Som
Origination– The River is the tributary of Mahi River, a major west flowing river. Som originates from the hilly region near Som village in the Kherwara tehsil of the Udaipur district and flows for about 156 km in the eastern direction to meet River Mahi. Its catchment area is about 6,443 square kilometers.
About– It is elevated up to the height of 600 mts. above sea level. The catchment area is extended over Udaipur and Dungarpur districts of Rajasthan.
Dam–
Som Kamla Amba Dam is situated in the Salumber city of Udaipur district. The river was completed in 1995 and serve irrigation purposes.
The dam is shared by both Som and Gomati rivers.
Som Kagdar Dam is situated in the Kherwara region of Udaipur district. The dam was completed in 1983 and serve irrigation purposes.
Tributaries– Tidi, Gomati, and Jakham
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Gomati
Origination– The River originates from the central hill of Udaipur district, almost from the Badi Sadri region of Chittorgarh. It ultimately drains to Jaisamand Lake, for the creation of which, it was damned in the 17th century.
About– The river is known as the “Ganga of Southern Rajasthan”. It is in a quite dilapid
ated state currently.
Dam–
Som Kamla Amba Dam is situated in the Salumber city of Udaipur district. The dam was completed in 1995 and serve irrigation purposes.
The dam is shared by both Som and Gomati rivers.
Jaisamand Dam is situated in Sarda region of Udaipur district. The dam was completed in 1730 and serve irrigation purposes.
Tributaries– “Tributary itself”
@OhMyRajasthan
Jakham
Origination- The River originates from the Badi Sadri region of Chittorgarh district and flows south-west through Udaipur district and joins the Som river near the village of Bilara. It covers a considerable distance and area of 2,318 square kilometers.
About- The river flows towards south-western direction through Udaipur district. Beneshwar Dham, the holy place situated on the ‘sangam’ of the River Mahi, River Jakham and River Som, is the only place in India where ‘khandit Shivling’ is worshipped.
Dam-
Jakham Dam built under the Jakham Major Irrigation Project.” The dam is built in the Anooppura village, 35 km from Pratapgarh Town. the foundation of Dam was laid on 14 may 1968 by Mr. Mohanlal Sukhadia, the then chief minister of Rajasthan. It serves the irrigation purposes majorly in the region of Pratapgarh.
Tributaries- Sukhli and Karmai
@panoramio
Sabarmati
Origination- The River originates in the Aravalli hills near Tepur village in Udaipur district. Before reaching Gulf of Cambay in the Arabian Sea, the river travels through for 48 km in Rajasthan and 323 km in Gujrat respectively. It has Banas river Basin towards its east. The total catchment area of the river is 21,674 square kilometers of which 4,124 square kilometers lies in Rajasthan and rest 18,550 square kilometers in Gujarat.
About- There are no culturally important spot or places located on the river in Rajasthan but the river holds quite a religious level in Gujarat. Mythologically, it is said that Lord Shiva brought River Ganga to the state of Gujrat and that is how Sabarmati was born. The river flows through the regions of Pali, Sirohi, Udaipur and Dungarpur districts of Rajasthan.
Dams-
Dharoi Dam
Harnav Dam
Mazam Dam
Hathmati Dam
Guhai Dam
Matrak Dam
Meswo reservoir
Tributaries- Sei and Wakal
@ministryofforestandenvironment
Sei
Origination- The River originates from the western projections of the Aravalli hills. It is formed out of smaller rivulets and flows for the distance of 102 km. It covers 946 square kilometers of hilly area and slopes in this 102 km and finally meets River Sabarmati.
About- The river is famous for the Sei Dam which has the water capacity of about 38.6 million-meter cubes. It is a seasonal river.
Dams-
Sei Diversion Dam is situated in the Kotra region of Udaipur district. The dam was completed in 1978 and serve irrigation purposes.
Tributaries- “tributary itself”
@Patrika
Wakal
Origination- the River originates from the south-western projections of Aravalli hills and travels for about 88 km before meeting Sabarmati river in the south. The catchment area of the river covers 1,625 square kilometers.
About- The river is the tributary of Sabarmati river and receives an average rainfall of 80 cm during monsoons. The river basin is hilly and covered with forests. It flows through the districts of Udaipur in Rajasthan and Sabarkantha in Gujarat.
Dams-
•Mansi Wakal Dam is situated in Gorana, about 50 km from Udaipur. The dam construction was started in 1989 and is under construction. Two phases of the dam are complete which supply water in the Udaipur city.
Tributaries- “tributary itself”
@Deserttimes
The problem these rivers are facing:
The Rivers are subjected to inconsistency and heavy pollution in Rajasthan. The modern-day developed and developing projects takes a heavy toll on the aquatic animals and water bodies of the surrounding region. Several factors that result in pollution of river bodies are heavy mining in and around the Aravali region, discharge of industrial slurry and other wastage in the rivers, increasing deforestation, illegal sand mining and over-extraction of groundwater which results in the reduced performance of dams. Many perennial rivers of Rajasthan went seasonal in the recent years due to over-extraction of groundwater. As history says, the South and southeastern parts of Rajasthan had a very dear connection with the rivers. Some forts and fortresses even used them as their natural defense mechanism. Rajasthan already suffers from dryness due to its geographical position. It’s high time to save our rivers and take measures against the factors that affect and destroys their sustainability.
“Mhaaro Rang Rangeelo Rajasthan” is truly blessed with vivacious cultures, royal heritages, holy traditions, communities living in harmony and enchanting nature. It is also, literally and in every sense, the “Land of Kings.” This time we are here to tell you the difference between two major regions of Rajasthan that are the Mewar Province and the Marwar Province. Mewar and Marwar are pretty much similar on the basic level, but when scrutinized, they have some contrasting features. Let’s find out more about the
‘two regions with a sole soul.’
P.C.- trip savvy
“Territories of the “Land of Kings”
Mewar, the south-central region of the state of Rajasthan includes:
➤ Bhilwara,
➤ Rajsamand,
➤ Chittorgarh,
➤ Udaipur,
➤Tehsil Pirawa of Jhalawar District,
➤Neemuch and Mandsaur districts of Madhya Pradesh
➤and some parts of Gujarat.
Marwar region includes:
➤ Barmer,
➤Jalore,
➤Nagaur,
➤ Jodhpur,
➤Pali,
➤and parts of Sikar.
“What’s in a name they say, but then everything has a name”
The word “Mewar” is loosely extracted from the word ‘Medapata’ which is the ancient name of the region. ‘Meda’ refers to the Meda Tribe who used to reside in the region (now called Badnor) and ‘pata’ refers to the administrative unit.
The word “Marwar” comes from the word ‘Maru,’ a Sanskrit word, which means desert and from a Rajasthani slang‘wad’ which means a particular area. Marwar is basically known as ‘The Region of Desert’.
“The richest histories in the country”
History of both Mewar and Marwar is quite rich and somewhat similar as both were founded by Rajputs. On one hand, where Mewar has a history of wars, defeats, successions, and establishments, Marwar’s history is complex with no direct successions and Mughals and Rajputs ruling now and then.
After the establishment of both Mewar and Marwar, the timeline of monarchy witnessed a number of kings and Britishers as well.
Here we have a timeline of reigns of the famous monarchs of Mewar:
Kings
Known for
Reign- period
Bappa Rawal
founder of Mewar
734-753
Maharana Kumbha
➤his reign is considered as the “golden period of Mewar”
➤Was the only Hindu king of his time in India
1433-1468
Maharana Udai Singh
➤Murdered his own father, Rana Kumbha and turned out to be an abominated king.
➤Was struck by lightning just before his daughter’s marriage and died on the spot.
1468-1473
Maharana Udai Singh II
➤Founder of Udaipur, the city of lakes
1537-1572
Maharana Pratap
➤Only ruler to not give up in front of Mughals.
➤Fought the famous “Battle of Haldighati” against Akbar, the then Mughal ruler
1572-1597
Maharana Jagat Singh
➤57th ruler of Mewar
➤The famous Jagmandir Palace and Jagdish temple in Udaipur was built during his reign.
1628-1652
Maharana Swaroop Singh
➤Britishers started settling in India during his reign and he supported Britishers in every way possible.
1842-1861
Maharana Sajjan Singh
➤He did everything in his power for Udaipur and its environment
➤Udaipur became the second city in the country to have a municipality, after Bombay, under his rule
➤He built a beautiful monsoon palace in Udaipur, that is Sajjangarh Fort, to complement the beauty of Udaipur in the backdrop.
1874-1884
Maharana Bhupal Singh
➤Founded many colleges and schools, especially for girls and also worked towards the betterment of lakes and environment of Udaipur
1930-1955
Maharana Bhagwat Singh
➤Last ruler of Mewar
➤Sold off most of his properties like Fateh Prakash, Jagmandir and other architectures on the banks of Lake Pichola so that all of them are well maintained
➤Even though the financial situation of the Royalties was depleting, he worked towards the betterment of Mewar.
1955-1984
Marwar was established by the Gurjara Pratihara, a Rajput clan. They first settled their kingdom in the 6th century in Marwar with the capital at Mandore which is 9 km from Jodhpur.
Here we have the timeline mentioning famous rulers of Marwar:
Kings
Known For
Reign Period
Rao Sheoji
➤first ruler to rule over Marwar from Rathore dynasty
1226-1273
Rao Ranmal
➤Was helped by Sisodias of Mewar to rule over Marwar
➤Was assassinated on the orders of Rana Kumbha of Mewar.
1427-1438
Rao Jodha
➤Founder of Jodhpur
1438-1489
Maharaja Jaswant Singh
➤Fought the Battle of Dharmatpur against Aurangzeb
1638-1678
Maharaja Ajit Singh
➤Became ruler of Marwar after 25 years of war against Aurangzeb.
1679-1724
Maharaja Bakhat Singh
➤Fought the Battle of Gangwana against Mughals and Kachhawa
1751-1752
Maharaja Sir Hanwant Singh
➤Last ruler of Marwar before independence
9 June 1947-15 August 1947
During the famine of 1899-1900, Marwar suffered terribly and seeing the terrible fate Marwar underwent, Maharaja of Jodhpur decided to join the dominion of Pakistan but Lord Mountbatten warned him that majority of his subjects were Hindus and joining Pakistani dominion may create problems for him and the kingdom. In 1950, Rajputana ultimately became the state of Rajasthan.
Proud communities of Mewar and Marwar
Rajputs are a well-known warrior clan of Rajasthan. Their trenchant identity is usually described as “proud Rajput tribes of Rajputana”. Their lineage is traced from the Fire family, the Sun Family and the Moon Family.
The Sun Family includes:
➤ Sisodias of Chittaur and Udaipur
➤Rathores of Jodhpur and Bikaner and
➤Kachawas of Amber and Jaipur.
While the Moon Family includes the Bhattis of Jaisalmer.
The trading communities include Khandelwal, Agrawal, Maheshwari, Jains, and Gahoi of Marwar. Birlas, Bajajs, Goenkas Singhanias are some top business groups in India, who are famous Marwaris from Rajasthan.
The artisan’s communities like Sonar, Lohars, Bhils etc. are majorly found in Mewar.
“Reflection of valor- Mewari, and Marwari”
Mewari should not be confused with Marwari as both the languages are different. People who havebeen into both the regions can easily identify the boldness of Mewari and the Sweetness of Marwadi.
Mewari isinspired by Devanagari script while maximum words of Marwari are adopted from Sanskritlanguage and is traditionally associated with Mahajani language.
Mewari- 5 million speakers coming from Bhilwara, Chittorgarh, Udaipur, and Rajsamand districts of the state of Rajasthan.
Marwari- 20 million speakers (most-spoken)
“Aah, the food”
Dal Bati Churma is the signature dish that opts for both the kitchens of Mewarand Marwar. Although, very few people know that Mewar ’s cuisine includes both vegetarian and non-vegfood.
Whereas, Marwari cuisine generally follows vegetarian food. Some authentic disheslike
➤Laal Maas and Khad Khargosh
are non-vegetarian delights and are relished by the people of Mewar.
Whereas, the people of Marwarenjoys vegetarian delights such as:
➤Bajre ki roti
➤Pyaaz Kachori
➤Bharwa BesanMirch
➤Panchmel Daal
and many more fabulous recipes.
Apart from this, the richness in Mewari authentic Thali can be seen with the use of dried spices(Masalas) and dry fruits like cashews and almonds. Whereas the palette of Marwari food is a little dryreflecting the regional conditions.
Marwari Thali focuses more on ingredients like gram flour (Besan)and vegetables like Ker Sangri, Gavarfali, and more.
But, in both the culinary concepts, the common things are cookingtechniques, Spicy flavor and the use of ghee.
“The Great and Glorious Festivals”
Besides the culture and region, festivals can also let anyone recognize the distinctive feature ofboth the heritage. Whether it’s Diwali, Holi or Bhaidooj, all the festivals are significant in Rajasthan. Mewar festival, primarily known as ‘Gangaur,’ is celebrated with lots ofenthusiasm amongst women of the region.
And, considering the parts of Marwar, the festival which is widely celebrated by women of the region is “Teej.” which is celebrated in the monsoon season and determined by the cycle of the moon.
Despite these differences, a thing worth remembering is that both the regions and their cultures are blended so well that people always say, and forever say, that not Mewar or Marwar but Rajasthan is Enchanting!
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