Rajsamand Travel Guide
Distance : 66km from Udaipur
¤ Lake Attraction
*This royal lake is located 66km from Udaipur , one of the numerous
artificial lakes found in the Mewar region , built by Rana Raj Singh I
in 1660. *It is 4 miles long and 1.75 miles wide with continous water
supply from river Gomti.
*By the lake is the Nauchowki("Nine Pavilions") - an
elegant stepped embankment with several decorative arches and
pavilions built by Raj Singh.
*Another interesting feature is 27 stone slabs - Raj Prahasti -
carved in 17th century , which mention the history of the state of
Mewar in a verse of 1017 stanzas - the longest Sanskrit inscription
known in India.
¤ The Pristine Rajsamand Lake
Rajsamand or the royal lake is one of the numerous artificial lakes
found in the Mewar region and was built by Rana Raj Singh I in the
1660s. The lake is a large one, 4 miles long and 1¾ miles wide.
It has a huge embankment (bund) that is over 1100ft long and 40ft high
with several decorative arches and pavilions built by Raj Singh. The
Gomti River flows into it, ensuring that it never remains dry. The
Nauchowki (nine
pavilions) stands mute next to the calm and serene Rajsamand. The
white marble steps down to the lake date back to the 17th
century when Maharani Roopmati had them made to show her gratitude to
her husband Maharana Raj Singh I. Raj Singh had saved her from the
hands of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb (see Rana Raj Singh I in History
for more details.) 27 stone slabs carved in the 17th century bear the
longest Sanskrit inscription known in India. The slabs, known as Raj
Prahasti, mention the history of the State of Mewar in a verse of 1017
stanzas.
¤ Kankroli- A Pilgrimage Center
An important pilgrim site for the Vaishnavas, the town of Kankroli
has the temples of Dwarakadhish, one of the seven forms of Lord
Krishna. Maharana Raj Singh I built the temple in 1676. The idol in
the temple was brought from Mathura and installed here in the year
1676. The head priest of the temple is one of the descendants of
Vallabhacharya – the Vaishnava Spiritual Guru. The temple has
been built on a hill and overlooks the beautiful Rajsamand Lake. It
makes a pretty sight, quite grand and attractive from across the lake.
Several dharamshalas (inexpensive guesthouses found mainly at pilgrim
sites) adjoin the temple and are also found at the base of the hills.
Major Circuits
|
