Introduction
of Dungarpur
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Dungarpur
is one of the important city of the Vagad region in Rajasthan. Dungarpur
is built around the immense Gaibsagar Lake and surrounded by lolling hills
on three sides. The word Dungar means hills in the common language and
hence the Dungarpur means the city of hills. It has an interesting
topography, ranging from the wild and rugged terrain in the north east to
the fertile plains of the alluvial soil in the south west. This region was
also the stronghold of the Bhils. |
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History
of Dungarpur |
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Dungarpur
was founded in the early 13th century when Rawal Veer Singh
constructed temples in the memory of Dungaria’s widows.
Dungarpur became famous under the Guhilot Ahara Suryavanshi
Rajputs, who trace their ancestry from the elder branches of the
main lineage at Chittorgarh. The cousins came together to fight
the historic battle against the invaders. Towards the end of the
12th century, Samant Singh, the eldest son of the ruler of
Mewar, had to leave Mewar in favour of his younger brother Kumar
Singh. Samant Singh drifted into the hilly area of Bagar and,
within the next century, Samant Singh successors controlled the
whole province of Bagar. Rawal Udai Singh of Bagar was killed at
the battle of Khanua in 1527, fighting for Mewar against Mughal
Emperor Babur. His territory was thereafter divided between his
two sons, forming two separate states. Prithivi Raj remained in
Dungarpur while his brother Jagmal Singh became independent
ruler of Banswara. Dungarpur was added as a district in India on
April 7, 1949.
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Tourist
Attraction in Dungarpur |
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The tourist attractions in Dungarpur are the
Udai Bilas Palace
and
Juna Palace.
Udai Bilas Palace is a good example of the Rajput
architecture with its intricately sculptured
pillars and panels, impressive balconies,
bracketed windows and marvelous panels. The Udai
Bilas Place was built in the mid-19th century by
Maharawal Udai Singh-II, by the bluish-grey
sandstone. The Udai Bilas Palace has been now
converted into a heritage hotel and still under
the control of the royal family of Dungarpur and a
royal residence. Juna Mahal is a seven storeyed
structure, resembling a fortress with crenellated
walls, turrets, narrow entrances and corridors.
The interiors are embellished with beautiful
frescoes, miniature paintings, glass and mirror
work. Another interesting palace to visit is the
famous shrine dedicated to the Shrinathji that
lies on the banks of the Gaib Sagar lake. Various
lakes and forests in Dungarpur attract a large
variety of migratory birds during the winters. |
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How
to get here |
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By
Air:
The
nearest airport is located at Udaipur, which is about
120 kms away and Ahmedabad is about 175 kms away.
By
Rail:
There
are frequent trains from Ahmedabad, Udaipur and Jaipur
to Dungarpur.
By
Road:
Dungarpur
is just 25 km from national Highway 8, approached
either from Ahmedabad or Udaipur. |
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Map
of Dungarpur |
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| Fair
and Festival of Dungarpur |
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of the major fair which is held in Dungarpur is the
Baneshwar Fair. The Baneshwar fair is held in the month of February at Baneshwar, a small
delta formed by the river Soma and Mahi, about 50 km from Dungarpur. This
fair is one of the biggest and most important fair of the Bhils. 'Baneshwar'
means the ‘master of the delta’ and is derived from the Shiva Linga
kept in the Mahadev temple in Dungarpur. This is a religious fair with
simple and traditional rituals. The tribal folks of Bhils gather here from
the neighbouring states of Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat and offer prayers to
Lord Shiva. |
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