barmer

Tourism Places In barmer

Best Time to Visit : August To March


This rid desert town in western Rajasthan, with just a handful of ruins, does not seem to have anything that will interest a visitor. But there is beauty even in this wasteland. Beautiful block-printed fabrics, delicate handcrafted wood furniture, pottery, carpets and fine embroidery add colour to this otherwise monochromatic town. Even the houses here are decorated with pictures and motifs. These crafts are the lifeline in a region where almost nothing grows. And it,s not just crafts that draw people to this town the songs of the Bhopas or priest singers and the music of the Muslim dholis are also famous. Visitors can start craft-hunting in the tiny shops that crowd Sadar Bazaar. But don't restrict yourself to the bazaar-there are artisans at work in almost every bylane in the town.


Siwana Fort
Siwana is a village in barmer district in Indian state of Rajasthan, located 151 km from barmer. The place is known for its fort. Famous Fort Siwana or Gadh Siwana is situated on a hilltop. The fort was built by a famous Rajput ruler Raja Bhoj�s son Veernarayan, who at one stage controlled much of barmer and had close ties with the Solanki dynasty of Gujarat. The fort is not in the best of condition now however it still houses a beautiful pond. The fort fell to forces of Alauddin Khilji in 1308. When Alauddin Khilji, the Sultan of Delhi, besieged the fort the people led by Sutal Deo mounted a heroic defence. To commemorate this ancient event an annual fair called the Kalyan Singh Ka Mela is still held within the precincts of the fort in the month of Shravan (July-Aug). Later, in the period 1318-20, Luntiga Chauhan stormed the fort of Siwana and slaughtered its Muslim garrison. No Sultan of Delhi tried to recover this fort.



Arts and Crafts in barmer
Being a barren wasteland, the people of barmer have learnt the hard way that they need to develop exceptional skills in order to survive. So it is but natural that they chnanelised their creative skills into intricate weaving and pottery. barmer is now known for its rich crafts, dances and music. This is evident even in the mud-walled houses decorated with delicate folk motifs and the colorfully attired people. The Bhopas (priest singers) are found in barmer, who compose music in honor of the deities of the region and its war heroes. The other folk musicians come from a community called the Muslim Dholis (drummers) for most of whom this is the only means of livelihood. They sing mainly at festivals and other social occasions to the accompaniment of the Kamayacha (a stringed instrument played with a bow). The other musical instrument popular in barmer is the algoza (two flutes played together).


Attractions in barmer
The tourist attractions in barmer are the barmer Fort. Actually the barmer town sits atop a rocky hill, where one can find the ruins of the old barmer Fort scattered all over. The Balark Temple, dedicated to Balark (the Sun God) and the ancient ruins of Juna barmer are other interesting tourist attractions in barmer.There are three Jain temples, an inscription of 1295 AD and a massive pillar in the hall of the largest temple of Maharaja Kula Sri Samanta Sinha Deva, a ruler of barmer, which are worth visiting. At a distance of 35km on the foot of a hill near village Hathma in barmer is Kiradu, which boasts of a beautifully carved temple with fine details of temple architecture. Once the capital of Punwars, Kiradu was called Kiratkoop, as revealed in the 1161 AD inscription found here. The ruins of five ancient temples-one dedicated to Lord Vishnu and other four dedicated to Lord Shiva are of major interest to archaeologists and art lovers, alike. The biggest and most impressive of these temples is the Someshwar Temple. Then there is the Mahaveer Park , a beautifully laid out park along with a small museum showcasing ancient stone carved statues.
About 23kms from barmer is Neemari, another alluring garden on Chohatan route.


Excursions from barmer
Excursions can be made from barmer to places around this small town, many of them housing temples with ancient history trapped in their ruins. Khed, a historical town has an old Vishnu Temple of Ranchhriji, bounded by a crumbling wall, and an image of Garuda (the eagle) at the gate attends the complex. Other temple attractions of Khed include Brahma, Bhairav, Mahadev and a Jain temple.
Once a principal state of Mallani, the ancient ancient village of Jasol has a Jain temple and a Hindu temple, both of which are worth visiting. Meva Nagar on the slope of a hill called Nagar-Ki-Bhakarian has three Jain temples, the biggest of these is the one dedicated to Nakoda Parsvanath.


Fairs and Festivals in barmer
There are several major festivals held in barmer, the most famous of which is a Tilwara Cattle Fair held every year at Tilwara village situated on the banks of the Luni river. The fair goes on for a fortnight in the months of March April. The other major festival is the barmer Thar Festival of Rajastan, which was a creation of the tourist office, started as a practice to enhance the tourism potential of this town. This festival too is held in early March every year. A major yearly religious fair is held at Khed on every Poornima (full moon) at the Ranchor Rai Mandir there. Another fair called Nakoda Parasvanath is held at a village called Nagar Meva, which is about 8km from the town of Balotara. There is a Jain temple there dedicated to the Jain prophet Parasvanath, and the fair is held every year on Posh Badi (Dec-Jan) to celebrate his birth. At a distance of 12kms from village Chohatan in Veeratara, the festival of Veeratara Mela is held. This festival is celebrated thrice a year in the months of Chaitra (March-April), Bhadrapada (August-September).


Kiradu Temples
The Kiradu group of temples is situated near the village Hathma about 43 km away from the barmer region in Rajasthan. The inscriptions dating back to 1161 AD reveal that the ancient name of this place was Kiratakupa and was once the capital of the Punwars. The temples were built around c. 1000 AD and later. The temples represent the zenith of the Gurjara-Pratihara sub-style of the Nagara or North Indian Style of Temple Architecture.
The Vishnu temple of this group has the sanctum and the mandapa of which only the cubicle and the pillars of the central octagon have remained. The temple stands over an elaborately built plinth.

The pancharatha or five-faceted walls of the sanctum are built over the plinth. Only a few mini-spires are left of the multi-turreted spire or sikhara. The central pillar is left of the large open mandapa. The base of the beam is octagonal in shape and features a figure of apsara or heavenly maiden. They are similar in style to the figure from Baroli in southwest of Kota.
The temple of Somesvara is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The sanctum of this temple is also five-faceted. The plinth has moldings and jadyakumbha or inverted cymarecta. The figurative bands or the tharas featuring elephants, horses and human beings are notable. The jangha or the middle portion of the wall is the rupadhara or figurative band, which is placed below the niche. The niche is of bigger size on the bhadra or the cardinal facet to place a bigger image. The multi-turreted spire is no more. The half annulets below the vases have dainty foliage patterns. The toranas or decorated arches span over the spaces between the pillars are no more. The decoration on the exterior of the mandapa is equally elegant and varied. The notable are the scenes of combat and palace life, kaudakapalik rites and scenes from the Ramayana and from everyday life. There are other three smaller Shiva temples. Architecturally they are not so beautiful but some sculptural depictions of ritual eroticism, temple building, Bhishma Pitamah lying on a couch of arrows and scenes from daily life, such as a group of acrobats are worth noticing. The Kiradu group of temple has remained mostly unknown and underestimated because of its location. A visit to Kiradu is a must for keen students of temple architecture.


Juna Jain Temple
Jain Temple in barmer is ascertained from an inscription carved on a stone pillar situated right adjacent to the temple. On the hilltop nearby is an old fort which encompasses an area of about 15 sq km. The fort is surrounded by a series of hills, adjacent to which lies a small lake. Between the mountain peaks is a small island known as Juna barmer which houses a small well. At one time Juna was quite densely populated, but most of its inhabitants migrated from the area. It is believed that the emigres from Juna established the town of barmer.


Khed Ranchorrai Mandir
The old Ranchhriji temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu is the biggest attraction of this place. The temple is surrounded by a crumbling wall and has a statue of a Garuda (eagle) guarding the complex. Brahma, Bhairav and Mahadev temples also adorn the town. For the history bit, Khed was conquered by Rao Siha, the founder of the Rathore clan along with his son Asthanji, from the hands of the Guhil Rajputs.


Handicrafts
Renowned for carpet making, block printed fabrics, woodcarving, pottery making and multi colored costumes, barmer can be your ideal choice for a place from where to add to your collection of traditional costumes. Tourists also enjoy the colorful barmer festival that is held in the month of March. Other important sites of barmer are Bhand Sagar Temple, Shiv Bari Temple, Camel Breeding Farm, Devi Kund, Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary, Deshnok's Karniji Temple, Kolayat and Bhaironji Temple.



Jasol An ancient village which has a Hindi temple and a Jain Temple.The Hindu temple has fine sculptures which were brought from a Jain Temple of Lord Mahavir.










Mahaveer Park Here find a small museum exhibiting ancient stone carved statues here in the landscaped park here. Mallinath fair- Huge cattle fairs held annually near Tilwara which last for a fortnight. You will find here popular breeds of cows, camels, sheep, goats and horses attract people not only from Rajasthan but also Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.





Safed Akhara
Safed Akhara (Sidheswara Mahadev Temple Complex) is a tiny yet pretty garden near barmer, Temporary accommodation and cooking facilities are available.


Neemari
Neemari is another picturesque garden on chohatan route, 23km away from barmer. An old swimming pools is an attraction


Dance & Music
The Thar desert of Rajastan is nothing if not known for its soulful melodies and dance. Like virtually all other districts in the region, barmer is known for its folk music and dance. Like in Bikaner, the Bhopas (priest singers) are found in barmer, who compose music in honour of the deities of the region and its war heroes. The other folk musicians come from a community called the Muslim Dholis (drummers) for most of whom this is the only means of livelihood. They sing mainly at festivals and other social occasions to the accompaniment of the Kamayacha (a stringed instrument played with a bow). The other musical instrument popular in barmer is the algoza (two flutes played together).


Mallinath Fair
Mallinath Fair is one of the biggest cattle fairs of Rajasthan held annually near Tilwara, a village in barmer District from Chaitra Budi Ekadashi to Chaitra Sudi Ekadashi (March-April). It lasts for a fortnight wherein the highly popular breeds of cows, camels, sheep, goats and horses attract people not only from Rajasthan but also Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.


Meva Nagar
Once called Viranipur, this 12trh century village lies on the slope of a hill called Nagar - Ki - Bhakarian, 9km away from Baltra. The village has three Jain temples. The biggest of these is the one dedicated to Nakoda Parsvanath. A Vishnu Temple is also worth visiting.


Highlights of barmer
The town is known for its fairs and festivals. The most famous Tilwara Cattle Fair held annually in the month of March and April at the Tilwara Village on the bank of local river Luni is a great charm for tourists. Another important festival is barmer Thar Festival. Thanks to tourist office for it. It was started to regulate the number of tourists. Held yearly in early March this significant religious fair is held at Khed on every Poornima (full moon) at the Ranchor Rai Mandir. Another fair is held at a village called Nagar Meva by the name of Nakoda Parasvanath . The Jain temple here is dedicated to the Jain prophet Parasvanath. The fair is held every year during December - January (on Posh Badi) to celebrate his birth. A village Chohatan in Veeratara celebrates the festival of Veeratara Mela. This festival can be seen thrice a year in the months of Chaitra (March-April), Bhadrapada (August-September). Come to barmer during the fairs the festivals and witness a new barmer.
Not to Pretermit Carved wooden artifacts, exquisite carpets, handicrafts, beautifully designed pots and vases. Enjoy the extravaganza of dance and music, the songs of Bhopas (priest singers), fairs and festivals. Check out the embroidered textiles in Ajrak prints in dark chromes of red and blue. Appreciate the mud-walled houses adorned with beautiful folk motifs and the vibrantly clad people. An excursion to Khed where the spiritual side of you will come to forefront and you do a temple tour at Vishnu Temple of Ranchhriji, Brahma Temple, Bhairav Temple, Mahadev Temple and a Jain temple.