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Legend says the Pandavas once arrived thirsty. Nakul found a lake but ignored a Yaksh's warning to answer questions before drinking—he collapsed instantly. One by one, Sahadev, Arjun, and Bhim met the same fate.
Finally, Yudhishthir arrived and respectfully answered the Yaksh’s riddles. Pleased with his wisdom and fairness, the Yaksha, who was actually Yama (the god of death), revived all the Pandavas.
The mighty Mount Chaukhamba peak can be seen on the backdrop of the lake.
© All Rights Reserved - you may not use this image in any form without my prior permission.
Façade ouest.On peut voir les 4 lions représentés en action.
L 'intérieur du temple n'est accessible qu'aux hindouistes
Akash Bhairav est l'une des différentes formes de Bhairava . Il est connu comme le roi Yalambar dans l' histoire du Népal ,
Le temple d'Akash Bhairav est censé avoir été un palais du premier roi du Népal, Kiranti King Yalambar il y a environ 3100–3500 ans.
L’idole de l'Aakash Bhairav a été déterrée il y a plusieurs centaines d'années à Katmandou . Il est sorti une fois par an à l'occasion du Festival de Yenya et béni par le Kumari, la déesse vivante qui vit dans le Kumarichok voisin.
Au cours de la célèbre bataille du Mahabharat , le premier roi de la dynastie Kirat, Yalambar déguisé en Bhairab, est allé sur le champ de bataille pour aider la partie perdante. Quand le Seigneur Krishna en a entendu parler, il a essayé de tester la capacité du vrai Bhairab et lui a demandé la tête de Yalambar, qui a atteint Katmandou par le ciel
Aakash Bhairav a souvent été représenté dans l' iconographie bouddhiste par une grande tête bleue avec un visage féroce, d'immenses yeux argentés et une couronne de crânes et de serpents.
La tête de la divinité réside sur un trône d'argent porté par des lions, accompagnés de Bhimsen (Bhima) et Bhadrakali de chaque côté.
Dharmaraja Ratha et Bhima Ratha sur le site Five Rathas (Pancha Rathas) à Mahabalipuram dans l'état du Tamil Nadu en Inde.
Rhythm tagged me and here i am stuck with putting up 16 things about me. If that's the case, this is possibly the best pic i would use to represent. Here is the list -
1. I love drama in life and over-react for most things
2. Colorful and full of plans (most of which seldom get executed)
3. I love coming home at the end of the day
4. Love framing things around me and hence the need for photography
5. I (still) love watching the nth reruns of Friends and love 'Big Bang Theory' and 'How i met your mother'
6. I love carrot cake and caramel pudding
7. I like sweeping landscapes and when on holiday tirelessly get out of bed in the wee hours to catch the sunrise
8. I am tactless for most part
9. I love food which is dressed up well
10. I am a little too over possessive about my little red dinky toy car
11. I like the way traveling rearranges my priorities in life, every once in a while
12. I love the open road
13. I hate carrying a tripod around, even though its very handy
14. I have no new year resolutions
15. i feel am on the way to becoming a fossil soon!
16. Every time i sit to make these lists, after a point i really begin to start judging myself
Now for the 16 i am tagging, Sneha, Navreet, Nihit Goyal, Gauri Bharat, Amarjeet Singh, Flickrascal (Aneesh), Paavani, Mahesh Gramprohit, Harshuu, Oreofuzzcat (John), Pyngodan, Vinay, Prateek Sharma, Aks (Akshay), Manav Gupta, Shuuro, Kunal. I think its a great way to know you all a wee bit better!
Banswara 'City of Hundred Islands' , I would say " City of Hundred Waterfalls".
The Location in picture is Bhim kund. In the first look, I was little low but gradually after climbing the meadow of the hills. We found lots of small waterfalls coming through different routes.
It is a place surrounded by hills. People call it "Phati Khan" because it is a deep cave under a hill. There is a pool of very cold water which is found throughout the year. It is said that Lord Ram, during his exile came and stayed here for some time.
City palace
City Palace Udaipur is a palace situated in Udaipur in Rajasthan, India. Built by Maharana Udai Singh, it is one of the main tourist attractions of the city.
Standing on the east bank of Lake Pichola is a massive series of palaces built at different times from 1559. The balconies of the palace provide panoramic views of "Jag Niwas" (the world wide famous Lake Palace), Jag Mandir on one side and on the other the city of Udaipur. Its main entrance is through the triple-arched gate - the Tripolia, built in 1725. The way now leads to a series of courtyards, overlapping parations, terraces, corridors and gardens - a harmonic profusion hard to describe. There is a Suraj Gokhda, where the maharanas of Mewar presented themselves in the times of trouble to the people to restore confidence. The Mor-chowk (Peacock courtyard), gets its name from the vivid mosaics in glass decorating its walls. The chini chitrashala is noteworthy while a series of wall paintings of Krishna are on display in Bhim Vilas. There are numerous other palaces such as Dilkhush mahal, Sheesh mahal, Moti mahal and Krishna vilas - in memory of a princess of striking beauty who poisoned herself to avert a bloody battle for her hand by rival princes. Now the palace contains many antique articles, paintings, decorative furniture and utensils and attracts thousands of visitors every day. The former guesthouse of the city palace, Shiv Niwas Palace, and the Fateh Prakash Palace have been converted into heritage hotels.
The palace was also a location to film the Disney Channel Original Movie, The Cheetah Girls: One World, which is the third movie of The Cheetah Girls.
Courtsy :From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Localizada às margens do Rio Branco, a Orla Taumanan é um espaço de convivência e lazer que realça ainda mais as belezas naturais de Boa Vista. Abriga 11 quiosques com lanchonetes, restaurantes e dois palcos para shows ao ar livre.
Lá é possÃvel provar as delÃcias da culinária tÃpica roraimense e também comida japonesa, pizzas, sanduÃches, chopp, grande variedade de petiscos, crepes, doces e sorvetes.
Além de tornar Boa Vista mais bela e acolhedora, a Orla Taumanan tem impacto positivo na economia, criando novas frentes de trabalho ligadas diretamente ao turismo e à prestação de serviços.
A iniciativa soma-se a outras obras de revitalização do centro histórico, iniciadas no primeiro mandato da Prefeita Teresa Jucá.
No idioma macuxi, Taumanan significa paz. A Orla foi inaugurada em 02/07/2004.
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Located on the banks of the river Branco, Orla Taumanan is an area of coexistence and leisure that further enhances the natural beauty of Boa Vista. It houses 11 kiosks with cafes, restaurants and two stage for outdoor concerts.
There you can taste the culinary delights of the typical roraimense and Japanese food, pizza, sandwiches, cold beer, great variety of snacks, pancakes, candy and ice cream.
Besides making Bhim more beautiful and welcoming, Orla Taumanan has positive impact on the economy, creating new fronts of work related directly to tourism and services.
The initiative sum up the other works to revitalize the historic center, started in the first term of Mayor Teresa Jucá.
In the language macuxi, Taumanan means peace. The Orla was inaugurated on 02/07/2004.
Our holiday began after a long drive from Delhi when we stopped by this lake. As the sun went down, memories of cities faded, along with the phone signal, and we drove the last few kms to our hotel.
City Palace, Udaipur, is a palace complex situated in the city of Udaipur, Rajasthan. It was built over a period of nearly 400 years, with contributions from several rulers of the Mewar dynasty. It's construction began in 1553, started by Maharana Udai Singh II of the Sisodia Rajput family as he shifted his capital from the erstwhile Chittor to the new found city of Udaipur.[1] The palace is located on the east bank of Lake Pichola and has several palaces built within its complex.
The City Palace in Udaipur was built in a flamboyant style and is considered the largest of its type in the state of Rajasthan. It was built atop a hill, in a fusion of the Rajasthani and Mughal architectural styles, providing a panoramic view of the city and its surroundings. Overlooking Lake Pichola, several historic monuments like the Lake Palace, Jag Mandir, Jagdish Temple, Monsoon Palace, and Neemach Mata temple, are all in the vicinity of the palace complex. Nestled within the Aravali mountain range, these landmarks are associated in popular culture with the filming of the 1983 James Bond movie Octopussy.
History
The City Palace was built concurrently with the establishment of the Udaipur city by Maharana Udai Singh II and his successor Maharanas over a period of the next 400 years.The Maharanas lived and administered their kingdom from this palace, thereby making the palace complex an important historic landmark.
The Mewar kingdom had flourished initially in Nagda (30 kilometres (19 mi) to the north of Udaipur), established in 568 AD by Guhil, the first Maharana of Mewar. In the 8th century, the capital was moved to Chittor, a hill top fort from where the Sisodias ruled for 800 years. Maharana Uday Singh II inherited the Mewar kingdom at Chittor in 1537 but by that time there were signs of losing control of the fort in wars with the Mughals. Udai Singh II, therefore, chose the site near Lake Pichola for his new kingdom as the location was well protected on all sides by forests, lakes and the Aravalli hills. He had chosen this site for his new capital, much before the sacking of Chittor by Emperor Akbar, on the advice of a hermit he had met during one of his hunting expeditions.
The earliest royal structure he built here was the Royal courtyard or 'Rai Angan', which was the beginning of the building of the City Palace complex. The court was built at the location where the hermit had advised Maharana to build his new capital.
After Udai Singh’s death in 1572, his son Maharana Pratap took the reins of power at Udaipur. However, he was defeated by the Mughal emperor Akbar at the Battle of Haldighati in 1576 and Udaipur fell under the Mughal rule. After the death of Akbar, Mewar was given back to Maharana Pratap's son and successor Amar Singh I by Jahangir. ]However, the Mughal army sent many expeditions against the Mewar empire, culminating in a peace treaty between both rulers.
But with the increasing Marathas attacks by 1761, Udaipur and the Mewar state were in dire straits and in ruins. By 1818, Maharana Bhim Singh signed a treaty with the British accepting their protection against the other empires.After the Indian independence in 1947, the Mewar Kingdom, along with other princely states of Rajasthan, merged with the democratic India, in 1949. The Mewar Kings subsequently also lost their special royal privileges and titles. The successive Maharanas, however, retained their ownership of the palaces in Udaipur and converted parts of the palace complex into heritage hotels.
One of the three cubs of Darrah Tigress and cub of the largest male of Bandhavgarh - Bhim!
A last minute sighting in Khitauli range while returning. Loved the feel of green background and relaxed look of the cub.
City Palace, Udaipur, is a palace complex situated in the city of Udaipur, Rajasthan. It was built over a period of nearly 400 years, with contributions from several rulers of the Mewar dynasty. It's construction began in 1553, started by Maharana Udai Singh II of the Sisodia Rajput family as he shifted his capital from the erstwhile Chittor to the new found city of Udaipur.[1] The palace is located on the east bank of Lake Pichola and has several palaces built within its complex.
The City Palace in Udaipur was built in a flamboyant style and is considered the largest of its type in the state of Rajasthan. It was built atop a hill, in a fusion of the Rajasthani and Mughal architectural styles, providing a panoramic view of the city and its surroundings. Overlooking Lake Pichola, several historic monuments like the Lake Palace, Jag Mandir, Jagdish Temple, Monsoon Palace, and Neemach Mata temple, are all in the vicinity of the palace complex. Nestled within the Aravali mountain range, these landmarks are associated in popular culture with the filming of the 1983 James Bond movie Octopussy.
History
The City Palace was built concurrently with the establishment of the Udaipur city by Maharana Udai Singh II and his successor Maharanas over a period of the next 400 years.The Maharanas lived and administered their kingdom from this palace, thereby making the palace complex an important historic landmark.
The Mewar kingdom had flourished initially in Nagda (30 kilometres (19 mi) to the north of Udaipur), established in 568 AD by Guhil, the first Maharana of Mewar. In the 8th century, the capital was moved to Chittor, a hill top fort from where the Sisodias ruled for 800 years. Maharana Uday Singh II inherited the Mewar kingdom at Chittor in 1537 but by that time there were signs of losing control of the fort in wars with the Mughals. Udai Singh II, therefore, chose the site near Lake Pichola for his new kingdom as the location was well protected on all sides by forests, lakes and the Aravalli hills. He had chosen this site for his new capital, much before the sacking of Chittor by Emperor Akbar, on the advice of a hermit he had met during one of his hunting expeditions.
The earliest royal structure he built here was the Royal courtyard or 'Rai Angan', which was the beginning of the building of the City Palace complex. The court was built at the location where the hermit had advised Maharana to build his new capital.
After Udai Singh’s death in 1572, his son Maharana Pratap took the reins of power at Udaipur. However, he was defeated by the Mughal emperor Akbar at the Battle of Haldighati in 1576 and Udaipur fell under the Mughal rule. After the death of Akbar, Mewar was given back to Maharana Pratap's son and successor Amar Singh I by Jahangir. ]However, the Mughal army sent many expeditions against the Mewar empire, culminating in a peace treaty between both rulers.
But with the increasing Marathas attacks by 1761, Udaipur and the Mewar state were in dire straits and in ruins. By 1818, Maharana Bhim Singh signed a treaty with the British accepting their protection against the other empires.After the Indian independence in 1947, the Mewar Kingdom, along with other princely states of Rajasthan, merged with the democratic India, in 1949. The Mewar Kings subsequently also lost their special royal privileges and titles. The successive Maharanas, however, retained their ownership of the palaces in Udaipur and converted parts of the palace complex into heritage hotels.
Ensemble de monuments de Mahabalipuram
Pancha Rathas (également connu sous le nom de Five Rathas ou Pandava Rathas ou Ainthinai kovil) est un complexe de monuments à Mahabalipuram, sur la côte de Coromandel de la baie du Bengale, dans le district de Chengalpattu de l'état du Tamil Nadu, en Inde.
Pancha Rathas est un exemple d'architecture indienne monolithique taillée dans la roche. On s'est désigné que le complexe avait été sculpté sous le règne du roi Narasimhavarman I (630–668 CE.) Cependant, des historiens tels que Nagaswamy ont attribué tous les monuments de Mahabalipuram un Narasimhavarman II.(vers 690–725 CE) avec la découverte de nouvelles inscriptions. Le complexe est sous les auspices de l'Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) et fait partie du site du patrimoine mondial de l'UNESCO inscrit par l'UNESCO en 1984 en tant que groupe de monuments à Mahabalipuram.
Les cinq Ratha — Yudhishthira, Bhima, Arjuna, Draupadi et Nakula-Sahadeva — sont des monuments monolithiques de tailles et de formes différentes excavés dans un seul bloc de roche d'une petite colline, descendant en pente douce vers le sud, au sud du village de Mahabalipuram au Tamil Nadu en Inde.
The river Satluj flows past Rampur on the old Tibetan trail with a visible mud choked guttural disgust. High above this, almost 40 kms away in the mountains lies Sarahan.
A beautiful not so crowded destination with a large temple called Bhimakali built by the erstwhile Rajput rulers of the area. Nothing much happens here bar the sun, wind and the clouds floating listlessly by.
The ugly power projects on the river Satluj which have made it a piece of gurgling slush and mud have also managed to tarnish the place with the huge power pylons and power lines going right over the most scenic places. It is an eyesore begging for a lobotomy.
The temple is quaint and built on a complex architectural style borrowed partly from the pagoda to the traditional temple style. Two tigers stood on wooden platforms with their tales erect on either side of a silver bas relief door.
A minder dozed and watched the world go slowly by dreaming perhaps of what it was before.
_DSC9213 jpeg
City Palace, Udaipur, is a palace complex situated in the city of Udaipur, Rajasthan. It was built over a period of nearly 400 years, with contributions from several rulers of the Mewar dynasty. It's construction began in 1553, started by Maharana Udai Singh II of the Sisodia Rajput family as he shifted his capital from the erstwhile Chittor to the new found city of Udaipur.[1] The palace is located on the east bank of Lake Pichola and has several palaces built within its complex.
The City Palace in Udaipur was built in a flamboyant style and is considered the largest of its type in the state of Rajasthan. It was built atop a hill, in a fusion of the Rajasthani and Mughal architectural styles, providing a panoramic view of the city and its surroundings. Overlooking Lake Pichola, several historic monuments like the Lake Palace, Jag Mandir, Jagdish Temple, Monsoon Palace, and Neemach Mata temple, are all in the vicinity of the palace complex. Nestled within the Aravali mountain range, these landmarks are associated in popular culture with the filming of the 1983 James Bond movie Octopussy.
History
The City Palace was built concurrently with the establishment of the Udaipur city by Maharana Udai Singh II and his successor Maharanas over a period of the next 400 years.The Maharanas lived and administered their kingdom from this palace, thereby making the palace complex an important historic landmark.
The Mewar kingdom had flourished initially in Nagda (30 kilometres (19 mi) to the north of Udaipur), established in 568 AD by Guhil, the first Maharana of Mewar. In the 8th century, the capital was moved to Chittor, a hill top fort from where the Sisodias ruled for 800 years. Maharana Uday Singh II inherited the Mewar kingdom at Chittor in 1537 but by that time there were signs of losing control of the fort in wars with the Mughals. Udai Singh II, therefore, chose the site near Lake Pichola for his new kingdom as the location was well protected on all sides by forests, lakes and the Aravalli hills. He had chosen this site for his new capital, much before the sacking of Chittor by Emperor Akbar, on the advice of a hermit he had met during one of his hunting expeditions.
The earliest royal structure he built here was the Royal courtyard or 'Rai Angan', which was the beginning of the building of the City Palace complex. The court was built at the location where the hermit had advised Maharana to build his new capital.
After Udai Singh’s death in 1572, his son Maharana Pratap took the reins of power at Udaipur. However, he was defeated by the Mughal emperor Akbar at the Battle of Haldighati in 1576 and Udaipur fell under the Mughal rule. After the death of Akbar, Mewar was given back to Maharana Pratap's son and successor Amar Singh I by Jahangir. ]However, the Mughal army sent many expeditions against the Mewar empire, culminating in a peace treaty between both rulers.
But with the increasing Marathas attacks by 1761, Udaipur and the Mewar state were in dire straits and in ruins. By 1818, Maharana Bhim Singh signed a treaty with the British accepting their protection against the other empires.After the Indian independence in 1947, the Mewar Kingdom, along with other princely states of Rajasthan, merged with the democratic India, in 1949. The Mewar Kings subsequently also lost their special royal privileges and titles. The successive Maharanas, however, retained their ownership of the palaces in Udaipur and converted parts of the palace complex into heritage hotels.
Created by the legendary Bhim Chandra Nag in the honour of Lady Canning. A symphony of homemade chhana and khoya. Fried to a gorgeous golden. Soaked in a sinful sugar syrup. Divine !!!
Banswara 'City of Hundred Islands' , I would say " City of Hundred Waterfalls".
The Location in picture is Bhim kund. In the first look, I was little low but gradually after climbing the meadow of the hills. We found lots of small waterfalls coming through different routes.
It is a place surrounded by hills. People call it "Phati Khan" because it is a deep cave under a hill. There is a pool of very cold water which is found throughout the year. It is said that Lord Ram, during his exile came and stayed here for some time.
Les acteurs de "Sadanam Kathakali Academy" jouant dans le Mahâbhârata
Épisode du Mahâbhârata représenté : la partie de dés et l'exécution de Dussasana (clan des Kaurava) par Bhima (clan des Pandava)
www.maisondesculturesdumonde.org/actualites/sadnam-kathak...
25è festival de l'Imaginaire
Maison des cultures du monde
Théâtre de l'Alliance française, Paris
www.maisondesculturesdumonde.org/festival-de-limaginaire/...
From the distance they appear as two stubs of masonry on a ridge that is gashed open by a wide crack. Beyond the crack the Salt Range makes a spectacular dip and melts into the plains of the Punjab. This is the Nandna Pass. Two millenniums before the modern web of roads was laid out in this area, a major road passed through here. Having crossed the Jhelum river somewhere between the modern villages of Rasul and Jalalpur, it went through the spring fed fertile tract of land where the village ofBaghanwala sprawls today and climbed up into the Salt Range via the Nandna Pass. Winding past Ara it skirted Chakwal (which of course did not exist then) and headed due north for Taxila. Simultaneously, another branch followed a westerly alignment to the Sindhu river near Kalabagh on its way to the cities beyond the Suleman Mountains. There were yet other branches that crossed that river at no less than three points between Kalabagh and modern Attock.
Here, by the side of this busy highway, guarding its entrance into the strategic pass, would have stood from times immemorial, a fortress. And when in the 9th century AD, the Kashmirian kings began the construction of their chain of temples in the Salt Range, this location would have been a foregone choice, for the Vishnudharmottara, an ancient religious book, recommends just such a site and the installation of consecrated images in forts situated on hilltops. In less than three centuries, the temple and fortress complex of Nandna was to become a great seat of learning, a veritable university, for it was here that Abu Rehan Al Beruni tarried in his quest for knowledge of the Sanskrit language and the arts and sciences of India.
This was the ‘Royal Road’ of which we first learn from Megasthenes, who attended the court of the great Mauryan king, Chandragupta. It was but shortly after the departure of Alexander that his eastern empire fell to pieces. The Greek and Macedonian satraps were either killed or deposed by native rulers and the subcontinent became, once again, a collection of independent principalities. Seleucus Nikator, a general in Alexander’s army who had succeeded to the throne of Syria after the latter’s death, took it upon himself to emulate his illustrious predecessor by attempting to re-unite the Eastern Empire. Having subdued Bactria and Ariane (Herat), he marched into Punjab only to find it not a collection of warring states as in Alexander’s time, but a feudatory to the kingdom of Magadha under the able Chandragupta Maurya.
The two opponents do not appear to have fought a war, but friendship was negotiated. The Indian king bestowed five hundred war elephants to the Greek, who in return gave the Indian either his sister or daughter in marriage and also ceded Ariane to him. To reinforce this friendship and to attend to Greek interests in India, Megasthenes arrived as the Seleucid ambassador to the court of Patliputra around the year 300 BC. Among his wide ranging commentary on things Indian, he records the existence of a ‘Royal Road’ from Patliputra to the Sindhu and beyond. Inns and rest stations were placed at regular intervals on the tree shaded road and distances and turnings were marked by stone pillars at every ‘ten stadia’ - a stretch that precisely equals a Punjabi kos. Such constructions apparently were as common a feature on arterial highways in those days as milestones are today, for we hear of ‘stone towers’ marking important junctions on the Silk Road in Central Asia. The function of the pillars was not only to mark distances but also to distinguish otherwise important points on the road. As Sher Shah Suri followed the idea of the two thousand year old Royal Highway to model his Grand Trunk Road, so too did the later Mughals in registering distances on their highways with kos minars.
Megasthenes clearly gives out the alignment of Chandragupta’s Royal Road from Pataliputra to the Sutlej River by naming the towns that it passed. How the highway worked its way from the Sutlej to the Sindhu, we are not told. But there is sufficient historical evidence to deduce that in the Sindh Sagar Doab (the belt between theJhelum and the Sindhu rivers), the favoured route was through the Salt Range and not along the modern alignment of the Grand Trunk Road. The popularity of the latter alignment harks back to British times. That this road was already increasingly being used even in the early 16th century, is evident from the memoirs of the Mughal king Babur. Of the route he took to Lahore on his fourth expedition in November 1523, he wrote that after the passage of the Sindhu he followed ‘the sub-montane road through the Kakar (Gakkhar) country’.
In 1542, Sher Shah Suri inflicted the second and decisive defeat on Humayun, that turned the Mughal king fugitive. Forsaken by all, even by his own brothers, the hapless man flew ahead of the pursuing Pathan. In this moment of adversity and humiliation, the only people to stand by the itinerant king were the Gakkhars of the Potohar Plateau who had sworn allegiance to his father Babur. Sallying out of their Potohar stronghold of Pharwala, they took control of the Salt Range, and harried the Pathans attempting a passage. It was certainly the blockading of the road through the hills and the aggressive raiding by the Gakkhars that effectively ended Sher Shah’s great highway at Rohtas.
This was a reenactment of the year 1203, when the Ghorid king Muiz ud Din (a.k.a. Shahab ud Din Mohammed), whose rule extended from Ghazni to Delhi, was rumoured to have been killed in a battle with the Mongols on the wind scoured grasslands of far away Central Asia. The Khokhars of the Salt Range who were but nominal feudatories of the Ghorids, upon hearing of his death, took it into their heads to assert their independence. Closing the Lahore-Ghazni route that passed through their domain, they set about looting the country as far away as Multan and Lahore. An embassy was dispatched by Qutb ud Din Aibak, the Turkish slave turned commander of Ghorid forces in Delhi, to convince the Khokhars that the Sultan was indeed alive. But the message was openly flouted by the independent minded hill tribe who had smarted long enough under the Ghorid yoke.
Consequently, in 1205, Muiz ud Din marched down from the Afghan highlands and upon reaching Peshawar heard that the Khokhars had concentrated their forces ‘between the Jilam (sic) and the Sudarah (Chenab)’. The battle that was fought near Gujrat raged from dawn until the afternoon, and just when the Ghorids were all but overcome, reinforcements arrived under Qutb ud Din Aibak. The Khokhars were routed after a great slaughter; many were taken captive to be sold into slavery and the route through the Salt Range was forced open. It was, however, in consequence of this victory that Muiz ud Din was to lose his life. Shortly afterwards, on his way back to the Afghan highlands, as he slept in the royal tent on the bank of the Sindhu, a handful of Khokhar warriors stole into the camp in a surprise night raid. In a brief skirmish they dispatched the royal attendants and within minutes the Sultan, mortally stabbed, lay in a pool of blood.
Sher Shah Suri, however, encumbered by the more pressing matter of consolidating his power, was incapable of forcing the Salt Range route. He took the easier alternative of establishing facilities on the ancient road that has since been called ‘Jarnaili Sarak’ (The General’s Highway). And so with the establishment of facilities on this alternate route, the old road through the hills lost its importance. Contradictory to popular belief, however, Sher Shah’s highway extended only as far as the fort of Rohtas. Beyond lay the Gakkhars who steadfastly opposed the Pathans and any attempts by them to extend their influence.
Alexander the Great, having settled the affairs of Taxila, followed the old road to the Jhelum river for his battle with Porus. And so did Mahmud, the raider king of Ghazni, many centuries later. While the Macedonian’s passage through the Nandna Pass was unimpeded, that of Mahmud was checked by a fortress at the very mouth of the Pass. The historian Mohammed Qasim Ferishta writes that Mahmud brought his army against Nindoona (sic) in the year 404 AH (1013 AD), when it was in the possession of Jaipal the Second, the Raja of Lahore. Seeing that he would not be able to oppose the Ghaznavid king, Jaipal left Nandna in the charge of a governor and fled to Kashmir. The fort was invested, and ‘by mining and other modes of attack’, Mahmud succeeded in forcing the garrison to capitulate. The defenders were granted their lives, but the conqueror removed everything of value from within. Then, appointing a new (presumably a Muslim) governor, he moved on toward Kashmir.
The Tarikh e Yamini of Al Utbi gives the Hindu governor’s name as Niddar Bhim - Bhim the Dauntless. It is told that he blocked the pass with a number of elephants and entrenched himself behind stone defenses. For the Central Asiatic mountaineers in the Ghaznavid army, the Salt Range hills were child’s play: ‘... they penetrated the pass like gimlets into wood, ascending the hills like mountain goats, and descending them like torrents of water.’
Having worked its way beyond the pass to the flat open area that surrounds the modern village of Baghanwala at the foot of the Nandna hill, part of the invading army set up camp and rested for the battle ahead. At the same time, the remainder of the Ghaznavids maintained the siege, cutting off food and water to Nandna in order to starve the garrison out to battle. For several days minor skirmishes were fought as the defenders stole out of their stronghold in a bid to dislodge the besiegers. At last, reinforcements arrived and the beleaguered army emerged from the fortress of Nandna with Niddar Bhim himself leading the assault. A great battle was fought on the exact spot where the houses and fields of Baghanwala today stand. Many a good man gave up his life on both sides; and though the defenders were not wanting in courage, the day was carried by the Muslims who were rewarded, according to Ferishta, with ‘rich spoils’ that were removed to the impoverished Ghaznavid capital.
Al Utbi writes that an inscribed tablet was found in the temple declaring that it had been consecrated fifty thousand years ago. Sultan Mahmud was ‘surprised at the ignorance of these people, because those who believe in the true faith represent that only seven thousand years have elapsed since the creation of the world, and the signs of resurrection are even now approaching.’
Apparently Nandna was spared destruction for it was here just four years later that Abu Rehan Al Beruni worked the greatest wonder of his age: the calculation of the circumference of the globe. In an earlier campaign against the Muslim kingdom of Khwarazm in the north, Mahmud had his covetous eyes fixed not only on the considerable booty that came his way. From the vibrant and teeming colleges of Khwarazm he also hoped to capture men of learning and wisdom in order to bring a semblance of intellectual richness to his court. Among other literati, Al Beruni, too, was brought against his will to adorn the palace of Ghazni. It is evident that his time in Ghazni brought him no joy, for Al Beruni’s writing refers to the king simply as ‘Amir Mahmud’; never by the title of Yamin ud Daula (‘Right Hand’ or ‘Power of the State’), or even Sultan. The unhappy years in Ghazni ended eventually when, after repeated attempts, he was at last granted permission to travel to the subcontinent in his quest for knowledge. And so it came to pass that in the year 1017, Al Beruni, having journeyed through the Salt Range, sojourned at Nandna.
For several years he had been aware that in order to make an accurate measurement of the Earth’s circumference, the correct calculations with the help of an astrolabe could best be made from a mountain adjacent either to the sea or a level stretch of land. In his Qanun al Masudi Al Beruni writes: ‘When I happened to be living in the fort of Nandna in the land of India, and I found a high mountain standing to its West, and also saw a plain to its South, it occurred to my mind that I should examine this method [of the astrolabe] there.’
The remarkable stroke of genius was not that Al Beruni had judged the roundness of the Earth - that was a known fact. Under the caliph Mamun ur Rashid, the circumference had already been worked out and Al Beruni, acquainted with Greek works in translation, knew of similar exercises performed by the Greeks over a thousand years earlier. The accomplishment lies in Al Beruni’s accuracy which is just seventy nine and a half miles less than the actual measurement that we know today.
It seems that from this time onward the fortress of Nandna remained in the hands of the Muslims, for when it next comes into notice two hundred years later, it is under the control of a Muslim governor. Following the humiliating defeat on the Sindhu, Sultan Jalal ud Din Khwarazm sent a general (whose name history does not disclose) to Nandna where, having displaced the governor Qamar ud Din Kirmani, he took over the fortress. Shortly afterwards Chengez Khan, rankled by the steadily growing strength of the Khwarazmians, dispatched a force under his general Turtai Khan with orders for the total annihilation of Jalal ud Din and his army. Once again the narrow gorge of Nandna resounded to the clash of armies. The Muslims were routed and Nandna fell into Mongol hands. But this possession was short lived. Where the Muslim army had failed, harsh climate succeeded. Within weeks the heat of the Punjabi summer had defeated the Mongols and forced them to flee to the comfort of the Hindu Kush Mountains near Kabul.
Fourteen years after this event, in 1235, the turbulent Rajputs of the Salt Range took control of Nandna and challenged the authority of Sultan Shams ud Din Iyultimish (anglicised form: Altmush) of Delhi. An expedition was mounted against this fort, but the Sultan took ill and died before he could bring the Rajputs to terms. Nandna continued to thrive, at least until 1581 when in the spring of that year, Akbar the third Mughal king visited ‘the town of Nandana (sic) for the purpose of hunting.’ The village of Baghanwala is a reminder of that time for the Akbar Nama records that, impressed by the goodness of soil and water, the king ordered the laying out of a garden. Subsequently Nandna faded from the glare of history. Only the name persisted as that of a district where Emperor Jehangir too would hunt deer - a district that stretched between the modern towns of Pind Dadan Khan and Jhelum. This name remained in common usage as late as the advent of British rule in Punjab. Then, sometime towards the end of the 19th century, the district came to be known by the name of Pind Dadan Khan and the celebrated fort and temple complex of Nandna were committed to oblivion.
The path from Ara Rest House to Nandna heads due south. Past a small rounded knoll the ruins can be seen on a hill about a kilometre away as the crow flies. At this point, if one were to descend into the dry, thickly overgrown stream and follow it or keep it close to one’s right, one cannot miss the ruins of the ancient bridge that is a reminder of the times when this stream ran for a greater part of the year. More than that, it asserts the fact that this road has seen greater traffic in bygone days, for it was here, that the road coming from the north crossed over and went south to Nandna and beyond. Nearby, choked with wild growth, are the remains of a small building that was very likely the bridge superintendent’s office.
Until the early 1980s when the web of black top roads was laid out in the area, this road was the connection between Baghanwala at the foot of the Nandna hill and Ara. But now, only the occasional cameleer or shepherd uses it. Yet, as one walks down the gorge today, it does not take a romantic’s imagination to hear the tramping of countless feet, the clink of armoury and the battle cries of successive armies as they marched down this way through the long and creative unfolding of time.
All but concealed by a very thick growth of bhekar (Adhatoda vasica), the ruins of ancient Nandna are strewn all over the hillside: great heaps of dressed stones here, part of a wall or the remains of a room there and an ample scattering of pottery shards all around. On the crest, only two walls of the temple of Nandna remain intact. Here Vishnu was once worshipped. Today rock pigeons roost in its crannies. Following the style of the Martand temple, the elevation of the building is replicated on the outside walls showing that the entrance vault, when it stood intact, had a trefoiled arch and that the spire rose high above. A ruined staircase leads up to a first floor that disappeared long ago and would have carried on to the second and perhaps a third storey. Judging from the state of the ruins, this was one of the earliest, if not the first, of the Salt Range temples to be built by the kings of Kashmir.
Between AD 528, when Mehr Gul the Hun was defeated near Multan by a confederacy of Rajput princes, and the beginning of the 11th century, were almost five hundred years of relative peace with no incursions from the northwest. Freed from this worry, the kingdom of Kashmir expanded. Subsequent to the annexation of this area to Kashmir by King Lalitaditya Muktapida (reigned AD 724-760) of the Karkota dynasty, he or one of his unnamed successors would have built this temple and named it after the mythical garden of the god Indra to commemorate the event on the ‘shores of the eastern ocean’. On an expedition far from his native Kashmir, Lalitaditya one day had a craving for the out of season kapittha (probably cherry) fruit. Rajatarangini, the chronicle of Kashmirian kings, written by Pundit Kalhana
Canon EOS 60D - Tamron SP AF 70-300 F/4-5.6 Di VC USD.
LEGGENDA di SVANA
Molto tempo fa in India 5 principi lasciarono il loro regno e andarono in cerca del regno celeste.
Portarono con se da mangiare e da bere e il principe YUDISTIRA portò anche il suo cane,SVANA .
YUDISTIRA era il piu’ vecchio dei 5: i suoi fratelli erano Sahadeva, il più saggio al mondo che sapeva più di ogni altro uomo; Nakula,il piu’ bello, famoso per la sua grazia e bellezza; Arjuna,il più potente, che non era mai stato vinto in battaglia; Bhima, il gioioso, conosciuto x il suo eterno buonumore e il suo amore per i piaceri della vita.
Dopo un viaggio di molti giorni, i fratelli giunsero ad una fiera, con musica e danze e gente che festeggiava.Bhimail gioioso disse ai fratelli "io resto qui a divertirmi oggi,cercherò il regno celeste domani..." Yudistira, i suoi fratelli e il cane Svana continuarono senza di lui.
Molti giorni dopo i viaggiatori arrivarono in una pianura, dove un grande esercito schierato stava affrontando il nemico. Quando Arjuna il potente lo vide,disse ai suoi fratelli "Io oggi resterò qui a combattere per il mio Paese, il regno celeste lo cercherò domani..." Yudistira, i suoi fratelli e il cane Svana continuarono senza di lui.
Passarono molti giorni e molte notti.I viaggiatori giunsero a un magnifico palazzo, circondato da un giardino pieno di fiori e fontane.
Nel giardino, una bellissima principessa stava passeggiando con i suoi cortigiani. Quando vide Nakula il bello, si innamorarono l’uno dell’altra immediatamente. Nakula disse ai suoi fratelli "Oggi rimarrò qui con la principessa, cercherò domani il regno celeste..." Nakula entrò nel giardino mentre Yudistira, suo fratello Sahadeva e il cane Svana proseguirono senza di lui.
Molti giorni e notti piu’ tardi, i fratelli arrivarono in un grande tempio, in cui vivevano dei santi uomini. Sahadeva il saggio,volle unirsi a loro in studio e preghiera cosi disse al fratello Yudistura "Oggi mi fermo qui, cercherò domani il regno celeste". Sahadeva entrò nel tempio e Yudistira e Svana continuarono senza di lui.
Giunsero infine al Monte Meru, la porta verso il cielo. Indra,il SIGNORE del PASSATO e DEL PRESENTE,comparve davanti a lui e lo invitò ad entrare. Yudistira si inchinò e disse "entrerò molto volentieri, se posso portare con me il mio cane,Svana".
"Non puoi" disse INDRA " non c’è posto in cielo per i cani. Lascialo ed entra nella felicità eterna".
"Non posso farlo" disse Yudistira, "Non voglio nessuna felicità per la quale io debba rinunciare ad un compagno così caro".
"Hai viaggiato senza i tuoi 4 fratelli" disse INDRA, "perché ora non vuoi salire in cielo senza il tuo cane"?
"Mio signore" rispose Yudistira, "I miei fratellini hanno lasciato per seguire i desideri del proprio cuore.Piuttosto che rinunciare a lui,devo rinunciare al regno celeste".
"Hai detto la cosa giusta" disse INDRA. "Entra e porta il tuo cane con te".
Così Yudistura e Svanasalirono fino al cielo.
Per celebrare la loro devozione reciproca,INDRA pose in cielo la costellazione del GRANDE CANE(CANE MAGGIORE), la cui stella SIRIO è la piu’ brillante di tutte.
Oil on canvas
16" x 20"
Atto deepo bhava (Find your own path) - Buddha
After the demise, centuries ago in the hands of Brahminic forces, Buddhism re-emerged on Indian soil as a liberating ideology for the downtrodden untouchable 'Dalits'. In 1954, millions of dalits in India left the Hindu Brahminical fold and embarresed Buddhism under the leadership of Babasaheb Bhim Rao Ambedkar. They are called 'Nava Bauddha' or Neo Buddhist.
Description copied from Salman Rashid Sb blog
Kamil Khan Mumtaz, the noted architect and architectural historian, calls Baghanwala ‘a poor man’s Fatehpur Sikri.’ While that fabulous ghost town of Akbar the Great bedazzles with red sandstone buildings splendidly curved as if stone was but puttee in the hands of the masons, the tiny village of Baghanwala too boasts a few houses with lintels and mock pilasters of similar sandstone. Of course, this is not the famous Jodhpur sandstone, but thee somewhat more porous one quarried locally in the Salt Range.
The town itself, placed in tiers upon a hillside, has a pleasing appearance as one approaches it from the east. At closer quarters it is not very different from most Salt Range hill villages with neat flagstoned streets and houses constructed mostly from dressed grey and red sandstone. Brick construction is only now catching up. But it is not the architecture of Baghanwala that drew the attention of kings and adventurers in the past and today that of the tourist and student of history. Great events unfolded right outside this village.
The beginning of the 11th century saw the outbreak of Turkish attacks from the west. Ostensibly in the service of Islam, these were in reality plundering raids to enrich the impoverished kingdoms of Turkish warlords in Afghanistan. Mahmud of Ghazni was the champion of these raids who plundered the Muslim principalities of Central Asia in summers and Vedic India in winters. In the year 1013 CE, on another one of his several raids, Mahmud came down upon the fortified temple and university complex of Nandna.
Nandna, the histories tell us, was held by Niddar Bhim – Bhim the Dauntless, a governor under the Pal kings of Lahore and Peshawar. Though the tale of the taking of Nandna falls outside this book for Nandna that towers above the orchards of Baghanwala lies in the neighbouring district of Chakwal, the actual battle for it was fought outside Baghanwala. Bhim’s forces held the pass of Nandna fast, but the Turks worked their way around the surrounding hills and even as Bhim expected a frontal attack, he was one morning surprised to see the oasis of Baghanwala bristling with Turkish arms. But that was only part of Mahmud’s army; the rest maintained the siege of Nandna in order to starve the garrison out.
For several days the defenders sent out patrols to harry the Turks in minor skirmishes. Then as reinforcements arrived from the east, they broke out to give battle. The final contest for Nandna between Mahmud’s Turks and Bhim’s Punjabis was fought where today the orchards of Baghanwala echo with the call of the koel and the sleepy cooing of doves. The defenders fought well, but the Turks bettered them and carried the day. The historian Mohammad Qasim Ferishta tells us the victors were rewarded with ‘rich spoils’ that were removed to the destitute capital of Ghazni.
Akbar the Great resorted to the oasis of the great battle to gratify his passion for the chase. Game was plentiful, water from a clear spring copious and untainted and trees grew in a profusion. In the tradition of his illustrious grandfather Babur, Akbar ordered the laying out of a garden. Fruit trees were planted and, though no trace remains of it, a perimeter wall was raised to protect them from wildlife and livestock. A gatehouse with a domed roof and sentries’ cubicle afforded entrance to Akbar’s garden. Time, the Great Destroyer, laid low this garden, however. All that now remains of this intervention in this quiet corner of Jhelum district is the ruinous gateway of the garden and the name Baghanwala that arose when the garden was laid out by royal decree.
Jehangir followed his father to Baghanwala. His diary for the year 1606 mentions his departure from Lahore to hunt in ‘Girjhak and Nandna.’ Now Girjhak is the old name for Jalalpur where Alexander crossed the Jhelum to give battle to Raja Paurava while Nandna is the fortified temple complex above Baghanwala. Jehangir goes on to tell us that during the outing he resided for four days in the garden of a certain Ram Das. He does not comment on the garden nor indeed upon whether this Ram Das was a native of Girjhak or of Nandna. It might be that Ram Das was a local zamindar who held the garden that gave Baghanwala its name.
So plentiful was the wildlife in the red-tinged hills around Baghanwala that Jehangir gloats over his bag of a hundred and ten animals. The list includes Punjab urial and ravine deer or chinkara. On the subject of the latter, Jehangir says there were few places in the subcontinent that offered better ravine deer than the gorges of Nandna (or Baghanwala) and Rohtas. Today these hills are an environmentalist’s nightmare where wanton and illegal hunting has exterminated the chinkara and very nearly the urial. The only animals that can still be seen in some numbers are wild pigs, some foxes, the elusive brinda or leopard cat and perhaps an odd wolf or two. Although leopards are also reported, their presence is doubtful.
Acteur de "Sadanam Kathakali Academy" jouant Krishna dans le Mahâbhârata
Épisode du Mahâbhârata représenté : la partie de dés et l'exécution de Dussasana (clan des Kaurava) par Bhima (clan des Pandava)
Krishna tente en vain de négocier avec les Kaurava pour que les Pandava récupèrent leur royaume après des années d'exil. Il n'y parvient pas et c'est la guerre entre les deux clans au cours de laquelle Dussasana est tué par Bhima.
www.maisondesculturesdumonde.org/actualites/sadnam-kathak...
25è festival de l'Imaginaire
Maison des cultures du monde
Théâtre de l'Alliance française, Paris
www.maisondesculturesdumonde.org/festival-de-limaginaire/...
The series of palaces in the city palace complex, behind an exquisite facade of 244 metres (801 ft) length and 30.4 metres (100 ft) height, were built on a ridge on the east of lake Pichola. They were built over a long period, from 1559 onwards, by 22 generations of Sisodia Rajputs. Several Maharanas starting with Udai Singh II, have contributed to this edifice, which comprises an agglomeration of structures, including 11 small separate palaces. The unique aspect of this conglomeration is that the architectural design is distinctly homogeneous. The palace complex has been built entirely in granite and marble. The interiors of the palace complex with its balconies, towers and cupolas exhibit delicate mirror-work, marble-work, murals, wall paintings, silver-work, inlay-work and leftover of colored glass. The complex provides a view of the lake and the Udaipur city from its upper terraces.
The palaces within the complex are interlinked through a number of chowks or quadrangles with zigzag corridors, planned in this fashion to avoid surprise attacks by enemies. Erected in the complex, after entering through the main Tripolia (triple) gate, are the Suraj Gokhda (public address facade), the Mor-chowk (Peacock courtyard), the Dilkhush Mahal (heart’s delight), the Surya Chopar, the Sheesh Mahal (Palace of glass and mirrors), the Moti Mahal (Palace of Pearls), the Krishna Vilas (named after Lord Krishna), Shambu Niwas (royal residence now), the Bhim Vilas, the Amar Vilas (with a raised garden) that faces the Badi Mahal (the big palace), the Fateprakash Palace and the Shiv Niwas Palace; the last two have been converted into heritage hotels. The entire complex is the property of the Mewar royal family with various trusts maintaining the structures.
Kota (/ˈkoʊtə/ (listen)), previously known as Kotah, is a city located in the southeast of northern Indian state of Rajasthan. It is located about 240 kilometres south of the state capital, Jaipur, situated on the banks of Chambal River. With a population of over 1.2 million, it is the third most populous city of Rajasthan after Jaipur and Jodhpur, 46th most populous city of India and 53rd most populous urban agglomeration of India. It serves as the administrative headquarters for Kota district and Kota division. Kota is a major coaching hub of the country for competitive examination preparations and has a number of engineering and medical coaching institutes.
The city of Kota was once the part of the erstwhile Rajput kingdom of Bundi. It became a separate princely state in the 16th century. Apart from the several monuments that reflect the glory of the town, Kota is also known for its palaces and gardens. Mahesh Vijay of Bhartiya Janta Party was the last mayor of Kota. The city was also included among 98 Indian cities for Smart Cities Mission initiated by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015 and was listed at 67th place after results of first round were released following which top 20 cities were further selected for funding in the immediate financial year. It is popular among the youth of India for its coaching institutes for engineering and medical entrance examinations. Many students come to Kota to prepare for the IIT JEE, NEET and many other competitive exams.
HISTORY
The history of the city dates back to the 12th century CE when Rao Deva, a Chauhan Rajput chieftain belonging to the Hada clan conquered the territory and founded Bundi and Hadoti. Later, in the early 17th century, during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Jahangir, the ruler of Bundi – Rao Ratan Singh, gave the smaller principality of Kota to his son, Madho Singh. Since then Kota became a hallmark of the Rajput gallantry and culture.
Kota became an independent state in 1631 when Rao Madho Singh, the second son of Rao Ratan of [Bundi] was made the ruler, by the Mughal Emperor Jahangir. Soon Kota outgrew its parent state to become bigger in area, richer in revenue and more powerful. Maharao Bhim Singh played a pivotal role in Kota's history, having held a 'Mansab' of five thousand and being the first in his dynasty to have the title of Maharao. Zalim Singh, a diplomat, and statesman, emerged as another prominent figure of the state in the 18th century. Although initially being a general of Kota's army, he rose to the regent of the kingdom after the king died leaving a minor on the throne. He remained a direct administrator of the state. In 1817, a treaty of friendship was signed between him and the British on his condition of carving out part from the existing state for his descendants resulting in Jhalawar coming into existence in 1838. Kota was not involved in the earlier events of the Indian Rebellion of 1857. However, when in October 1857 rebels murdered the local British resident and his two sons, British forces responded by storming the city and, after some resistance, capturing it in March 1858.
In the 1940s, social activist Guru Radha Kishan organised trade union activities and campaigned against the colonial government. He left Kota after the local administration learned of the arrest warrant issued against him for his participation in Indian Independence activities.
PRINCELY CITY OF KOTA
Kota became independent in 1579, after Bundi state in Hadoti region had become weak. Then, Kota ruled the territory which now is Kota district and Baran district.
GEOGRAPHY
Kota is located along the banks of the Chambal River in the southern part of Rajasthan. It is the 3rd largest city of Rajasthan after Jaipur and Jodhpur. The cartographic coordinates are 25.18°N 75.83°E. It covers an area of 221.36 km2). It has an average elevation of 271 metres. The district is bound on the north and north west by Sawai Madhopur, Tonk and Bundi districts. The Chambal River separates these districts from Kota district, forming the natural boundary.
The city of Kota is situated at the centre of the southeastern region of Rajasthan a region very widely known as Hadoti, the land of the Hadas. Kota lies along the banks of the Chambal river on a high sloping tableland forming a part of the Malwa Plateau. The general slope of the city is towards the north. The comparatively rocky, barren, and elevated land in the southern part of the city descends towards a plain agricultural land in the north. The Mukundara hills run from southeast to northwest axis of the town.
Kota has fertile land and greenery with irrigation facilities through canals. The two main canals; called as left main canal (towards Bundi) and right main canal (towards Baran) originate from the reservoir created by Kota Barrage. The tributaries of these canals make up a network in the city and surrounding areas of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh and supplements the irrigation of these areas.
CLIMATE
Kota has a semi-arid climate (Köppen climate classification BSh) with high temperatures throughout the year. Summers are long, hot, and dry, starting in late March and lasting till the end of June. The temperatures average above 40 °C in May and June, frequently exceed 45 °C with temperatures as high as 48.4 °C also been recorded. The monsoon season follows with comparatively lower temperatures, but higher humidity and frequent, torrential downpours. The monsoons subside in October and temperatures rise again. The brief, mild winter starts in late November and lasts until the last week of February. Temperatures hover between 26.7 °C (max) to 12.0 °C (min). This can be considered the best time to visit Kota because of intense heat in the summer.The average annual rainfall in the Kota district is 660.6 mm. Most of the rainfall can be attributed to the southwest monsoon which has its beginning around the last week of June and may last till mid-September. Pre-monsoon showers begin towards the middle of June with post-monsoon rains occasionally occurring in October. The winter is largely dry, although some rainfall does occur as a result of the Western Disturbance passing over the region.
DEMOGRAPHICS
According to 2011 Census of India, Kota City had a population of 1,001,694 of which male and female are 528,601 and 473,093 respectively. The provisional results of census 2011 reported city's population as 1,001,365. The urban agglomeration of Kota consists of city only. The sex ratio was 895 and 12.14% were under six years of age. The effective literacy rate was 82.80%, with male literacy at 89.49% and female literacy at 75.33%.
Harauti, a dialect of Rajasthani is widely spoken in Kota with Hindi, Marwari and English being the other languages spoken.
According to 2011 census, Hinduism is the majority religion in the city practised by about 80.5% of the population. Muslims form large minorities (15.9%) followed by Jains (2.2%), Sikhs (0.9%) and Christians (0.4%).
Government institutions and courts
Governmental institutions in Kota include:
Municipal Corporation
Collectorate
Office of the Divisional Commissioner
Rajasthan Housing Board
Command Area Development (CAD)
Urban Improvement Trust (UIT)
Office of the Superintendent of Police, Inspector General of Police, and the Income Tax commissioner of Kota range.
Office of the Divisional Railway Manager, Kota Division, West Central Railway
Office of Deputy Commissioner of central excise and service tax
Instrumentation Ltd is a Public Sector company based in Kota. Its clientele includes public sector entities such as the Indian Railways, BSNL and VSNL. Presently, it has been shut down.
The District court provides court and notary services.
ECONOMY
The city is the trade centre for an area in which cotton, millet, wheat, coriander and oilseeds are grown; industries include cotton and oilseed milling, textile weaving, distilling, dairying, and the manufacture of metal handcrafts. Kota also has an extensive industry of stone-polishing (tiles) of a stone called Kota Stone, used for the floor and walls of residential and business buildings. Since last 15 years Kota has emerged as an Education hub of the country as producing excellent results in IIT-JEE and medical entrance exams.
KOTA EDUCATIONAL INDUSTRY
A major part of Kota's economy depends on its student population. Every year more than 150,000 students visit and study in Kota to study and prepare for JEE and NEET.
The entrance coaching industry in Kota generates business of about ₹40,000 million from them which further contributes towards the economy of the region. Over time, the economical growth and money generated through education in Kota seems to have overtaken other popular economical activities of the region by contributing more and more with time.
KOTA DORIA OR DORIYA AND SAREES
Weaving in Kota was started by Maharana Bhimdev in the 18th century.
The Kota saris like most traditional piece of work had started becoming lost before designer Vidhi Singhania moved to Kota and started working with the workers to revive its market.[38] Many textile shops in the city sell different varieties of Kota doriya. These saris have become one of the trademarks of the city.
KOTA STONE
The fine-grained variety of limestone quarried from Kota district is known as Kota stone, with rich greenish-blue and brown colours. Kota stone is tough, non-water-absorbent, non-slip, and non-porous. The varieties include Kota Blue Natural, Kota Blue Honed, Kota Blue Polished, Kota Blue Cobbles, Kota Brown Natural and Kota Brown Polished.
INDUSTRIES
Kota is one of the industrial hubs in northern India, with chemical, cement, engineering and power plants based there. The total number of industrial units in the district in 2010–11 stood at 12908 with 705 registered units. The district power plants show annual growth of 15–20% due to their strategic locations.
POWER PLANTS
Kota is surrounded by five power stations within its 50 km radius.
Kota Super Thermal Power Plant – thermal
Rajasthan Atomic Power Station in Rawatbhata Chittorgarh district (65 kilometres from Kota) – nuclear
NTPC Anta Gas Power Plant in Antah Baran district (50 kilometers from Kota) – gas
Jawahar Sagar Power Plant – hydro
Kalisindh Thermal Power Station (in Jhalrapatan, Jhalawar) – thermal
Surya Chambal Power Plant in Rangpur Kota district - biomass
EDUCATION
The city is specially known in India as a center for the preparation of various national level competitive examinations through which the students seek admissions in various engineering and medical colleges of the country. Often termed as the "Kota Factory", the town contains more than 40 large coaching institutes for aspiring students trying to pass entrance exams for Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT), through the IIT JEE, other engineering colleges and prominent medical colleges of India.
Since 2000, the city has emerged as a popular coaching destination for competitive exams preparation and for profit educational services. The education sector of Kota has become one of the major contributors to the city's economy. Kota is popularly referred to as "the coaching capital of India". Over 150,000 students from all over the country flock every year towards the city for preparation of various exams such as IIT-JEE and NEET-UG etc. Many hostels and PGs are located in Kota near the vicinity of coaching centres for students. Students live here for 2–3 years and prepare for the exams. The annual turnover of the Kota coaching industry is about ₹1500 crore. The majority of the students here are enrolled in schools, providing the facility of "dummy schooling", which gives students admissions without the need to attend it regularly. However, it is an illegal practice. In 2019, The Viral Fever launched a Web Series called Kota Factory to shed light on the life of students who study at Kota.
Kota's emergence as a coaching hub began in 1985 when Vinod Kumar Bansal, an engineer set up Bansal Classes that eventually became Bansal Classes Private Limited.
STUDENT SUICIDES
In the past few years, reports of students dying by suicide in the city have increased. As per reports, students feel stressed and get pressurized in order to crack their target competitive exam. As per National Crime Records Bureau report of 2014, 45 suicide cases of students were reported in the city. In year 2015, 17 such cases were found. For the same cause, many coaching centers have also appointed counsellors and are organising recreational activities to help students.
MEDICAL AND ENGINERING COLLEGES
Government Medical College, Kota
University Engineering College, Kota
UNIVERSITIES
Agriculture University, Kota
Rajasthan Technical University
Vardhaman Mahaveer Open University
University of Kota
Indian Institute of Information Technology, Kota
Jai Minesh National University, Kota
PLACES OF INTEREST
Some of the popular visitor attractions in and nearby the city include Chambal Garden, Chambal River Front, Seven Wonders Park, Kishore Sagar Lake, Jag Mandir, Kota Garh Palace, Chatra Vilas Garden, Ganesh Udyan, Traffic Garden, Godavari Dham Temple, Geparnath Temple, Garadia Mahadev Temple, Chattaneshwar Mandir, Kota Zoological Park, Abheda Biological Park, City Park(IL Oxizone), Chatrapati Shivaji Park, Maharao Madho Singh Museum, Kota Government Museum, Brijraj Bhawan Palace, Abheda Mahal, Royal Cenotaphs at Kshar Bagh, Kota Barrage, Khade Ganesh Ji Mandir, Shiv Puri Dham, Maa Trikuta Mandir, Kansua Shiv Mandir, Darrah National Park and Jawahar Sagar Dam.
TRANSPORT
Kota is well connected with road and rail to all major cities within Rajasthan as well as those located outside the state.
ROADWAYS
Kota have two major interstate bus terminals, namely, Nayapura Bus Stand at Nayapura and Roadways New Bus Stand at Ramchandrapura.[citation needed] National Highway No.27 (via Udaipur, Kanpur, Gorakhpur, Guwahati) and National highway No.52 (via Hisar, Churu, Sikar, Jaipur, Indore, Aurangabad, Solapur and Hubli) pass through the Kota City. National Highway No.27 is a part of East-West Corridor(Porbandar - Silchar) and National Highway No.52 connects Punjab to Karnataka (Sangrur, Punjab—Ankola, Karnataka). The total road length in Kota district is 2,052 km as of March 2011. There are also three upcoming expressway projects in the form of Delhi–Mumbai Expressway (Via Kota, Rajasthan and Vadodara), Kota–Hyderabad Expressway (Via Indore) and Chambal Expressway.
RAILWAYS
Kota is well connected to all the major cities of India with rail. Kota Junction is one of the divisions in West Central Railway. It is a station on the New Delhi–Mumbai main line. There are four railway stations within Kota and in its vicinity. One Substation of East Kota City is Sogariya(Kota Bypass) Railway Station and Another suburban station of South Kota city is Dakaniya Talav railway station which has a stoppage of Avadh Express, Dehradun Express and Ranthambore Express.
The city is a halt for over 182 trains, including Mumbai Rajdhani Express, August Kranti Rajdhani Express, Thiruvananthapuram Rajdhani Express, Madgaon Rajdhani Express, Mumbai New Delhi Duronto Express, Golden Temple Mail, Paschim Express, Bandra Terminus-Hazrat Nizamuddin Garib Rath Express, Kevadiya–Hazrat Nizamuddin Gujarat Sampark Kranti Express, Gujarat Sampark Kranti Express, Maharashtra Sampark Kranti Express, Goa Sampark Kranti Express, Kerala Sampark Kranti Express, Indore–Jaipur Express, Gangaur SuperFast Express, Mewar Express, Dayodaya Express, Jodhpur – Indore Intercity, Hazrat Nizamuddin - Indore Express, Garbha Express, Marusagar Express (Ajmer – Ernakulam Express / Ernakulam Express), Jaipur–Mysore Superfast Express, Swaraj Express, Chennai Central–Jaipur Superfast Express, Coimbatore–Jaipur Superfast Express, Jodhpur – Puri Express, Bandra Terminus–Gorakhpur Avadh Express, Bandra Terminus–Muzaffarpur Avadh Express, Jodhpur – Bhopal Express.
The Delhi—Mumbai railway line passes through the Kota Junction. The district has 148.83 km of railway line in the Kota – Ruthia section, 98.72 km on Nagda—Mathura (Mumbai-Delhi) section and 24.26 km on Kota —Chittorgarh section.
A broad-gauge railway facility between Kota and Jodhpur via Jaipur exists.
AIRWAYS
Kota Airport, (IATA: KTU, ICAO: VIKO) is a civil airport serving Kota, Rajasthan, India. Spread over 447 acres, Kota Airport was originally built by the Royal family of the princely state of Kota and was taken over by the government in 1951. This Airport Also Known As Rajputana Airport. Originally serviced by Indian Airlines Dakota aircraft and later by Vayudoot and Jagson Airlines, shutdown of major industries and Kota becoming a major railway junction effected decreased demand for air transport and the withdrawal of the airlines. Kota Airport has had no scheduled services operating since 1999. The nearest international airport is Jaipur International Airport situated around 240 km away from Kota. Development of Greenfield airport at Kota: The representative of Rajasthan Government intimated that runway length of Existing Kota Airport is only 4000 ft., which restricts flight operations under RCS. A new Greenfield Airport is to be constructed in Kota. State Government has earmarked required land for this purpose. State Government has provided Meteorological Information of past 10 years and AAI has carried out pre- feasibility survey & provided its report to the State Government. Further, AAI has been requested twice to carry out Site and OLS Survey and to provide further course of action to be taken by the State Government, which is approved. Directions need to be issued to AAI for early completion of the same. For development of Greenfield airport at Kota, 1250 Acres of land acquired by the State Government and handed over to AAI for development of New Greenfield Airport.
SPORTS
The city is home to Jay Kaylon Cricket Stadium located in Nayapura area. Among several matches, six Ranji Trophy matches have been played in the stadium. The stadium also hosted RCL T20 2016, an inter state cricket league with six participating teams.
MEDIA
TELEVISION
There are five major regional TV Channels in Kota.
DD Rajasthan
Media House Rajasthan(MHR News)
ETV Rajasthan
India news Rajasthan
Jan TV
A wide range of other Hindi, English, and other language channels are accessible via cable subscription and direct-broadcast satellite services. Dish TV, Tata Sky, Radiant Digitek, Airtel digital TV are entertainment services in Kota.
NEWSPAPERS
Major daily newspapers in Kota include:
Rajasthan Patrika (Hindi)
Dainik Bhaskar (Hindi)
Dainik Navajyoti (Hindi)
Chambal Sandesh (Hindi)
RADIO
There are five radio stations in Kota, with four broadcasting on the FM band, and one All India Radio station broadcasting on the AM band.
All India Radio (102.0 MHz)
Big FM (92.7 MHz)
My FM (94.3 MHz)
FM Tadka (95.0 MHz)
Radio City (91.1 MHz)
NOTABLE PEOPLE
Umed Singh II
Om Birla
Ijyaraj Singh
Onkarlal Berwa
Shanti Kumar Dhariwal
Vinod Kumar Bansal
Bhim Singh II
Lalit Kishore Chaturvedi
Bhuvnesh Chaturvedi
Krishana Kumar Goyal
Shail Hada
Taj Haider
Hari Kumar Audichya
Raghuveer Singh Koshal
Shiv Kumari of Kotah
Bhuvaneshwari Kumari
Nikita Lalwani
Pramod Maheshwari
Aniruddh Singh
WIKIPEDIA
Kota (/ˈkoʊtə/ (listen)), previously known as Kotah, is a city located in the southeast of northern Indian state of Rajasthan. It is located about 240 kilometres south of the state capital, Jaipur, situated on the banks of Chambal River. With a population of over 1.2 million, it is the third most populous city of Rajasthan after Jaipur and Jodhpur, 46th most populous city of India and 53rd most populous urban agglomeration of India. It serves as the administrative headquarters for Kota district and Kota division. Kota is a major coaching hub of the country for competitive examination preparations and has a number of engineering and medical coaching institutes.
The city of Kota was once the part of the erstwhile Rajput kingdom of Bundi. It became a separate princely state in the 16th century. Apart from the several monuments that reflect the glory of the town, Kota is also known for its palaces and gardens. Mahesh Vijay of Bhartiya Janta Party was the last mayor of Kota. The city was also included among 98 Indian cities for Smart Cities Mission initiated by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015 and was listed at 67th place after results of first round were released following which top 20 cities were further selected for funding in the immediate financial year. It is popular among the youth of India for its coaching institutes for engineering and medical entrance examinations. Many students come to Kota to prepare for the IIT JEE, NEET and many other competitive exams.
HISTORY
The history of the city dates back to the 12th century CE when Rao Deva, a Chauhan Rajput chieftain belonging to the Hada clan conquered the territory and founded Bundi and Hadoti. Later, in the early 17th century, during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Jahangir, the ruler of Bundi – Rao Ratan Singh, gave the smaller principality of Kota to his son, Madho Singh. Since then Kota became a hallmark of the Rajput gallantry and culture.
Kota became an independent state in 1631 when Rao Madho Singh, the second son of Rao Ratan of [Bundi] was made the ruler, by the Mughal Emperor Jahangir. Soon Kota outgrew its parent state to become bigger in area, richer in revenue and more powerful. Maharao Bhim Singh played a pivotal role in Kota's history, having held a 'Mansab' of five thousand and being the first in his dynasty to have the title of Maharao. Zalim Singh, a diplomat, and statesman, emerged as another prominent figure of the state in the 18th century. Although initially being a general of Kota's army, he rose to the regent of the kingdom after the king died leaving a minor on the throne. He remained a direct administrator of the state. In 1817, a treaty of friendship was signed between him and the British on his condition of carving out part from the existing state for his descendants resulting in Jhalawar coming into existence in 1838. Kota was not involved in the earlier events of the Indian Rebellion of 1857. However, when in October 1857 rebels murdered the local British resident and his two sons, British forces responded by storming the city and, after some resistance, capturing it in March 1858.
In the 1940s, social activist Guru Radha Kishan organised trade union activities and campaigned against the colonial government. He left Kota after the local administration learned of the arrest warrant issued against him for his participation in Indian Independence activities.
PRINCELY CITY OF KOTA
Kota became independent in 1579, after Bundi state in Hadoti region had become weak. Then, Kota ruled the territory which now is Kota district and Baran district.
GEOGRAPHY
Kota is located along the banks of the Chambal River in the southern part of Rajasthan. It is the 3rd largest city of Rajasthan after Jaipur and Jodhpur. The cartographic coordinates are 25.18°N 75.83°E. It covers an area of 221.36 km2). It has an average elevation of 271 metres. The district is bound on the north and north west by Sawai Madhopur, Tonk and Bundi districts. The Chambal River separates these districts from Kota district, forming the natural boundary.
The city of Kota is situated at the centre of the southeastern region of Rajasthan a region very widely known as Hadoti, the land of the Hadas. Kota lies along the banks of the Chambal river on a high sloping tableland forming a part of the Malwa Plateau. The general slope of the city is towards the north. The comparatively rocky, barren, and elevated land in the southern part of the city descends towards a plain agricultural land in the north. The Mukundara hills run from southeast to northwest axis of the town.
Kota has fertile land and greenery with irrigation facilities through canals. The two main canals; called as left main canal (towards Bundi) and right main canal (towards Baran) originate from the reservoir created by Kota Barrage. The tributaries of these canals make up a network in the city and surrounding areas of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh and supplements the irrigation of these areas.
CLIMATE
Kota has a semi-arid climate (Köppen climate classification BSh) with high temperatures throughout the year. Summers are long, hot, and dry, starting in late March and lasting till the end of June. The temperatures average above 40 °C in May and June, frequently exceed 45 °C with temperatures as high as 48.4 °C also been recorded. The monsoon season follows with comparatively lower temperatures, but higher humidity and frequent, torrential downpours. The monsoons subside in October and temperatures rise again. The brief, mild winter starts in late November and lasts until the last week of February. Temperatures hover between 26.7 °C (max) to 12.0 °C (min). This can be considered the best time to visit Kota because of intense heat in the summer.The average annual rainfall in the Kota district is 660.6 mm. Most of the rainfall can be attributed to the southwest monsoon which has its beginning around the last week of June and may last till mid-September. Pre-monsoon showers begin towards the middle of June with post-monsoon rains occasionally occurring in October. The winter is largely dry, although some rainfall does occur as a result of the Western Disturbance passing over the region.
DEMOGRAPHICS
According to 2011 Census of India, Kota City had a population of 1,001,694 of which male and female are 528,601 and 473,093 respectively. The provisional results of census 2011 reported city's population as 1,001,365. The urban agglomeration of Kota consists of city only. The sex ratio was 895 and 12.14% were under six years of age. The effective literacy rate was 82.80%, with male literacy at 89.49% and female literacy at 75.33%.
Harauti, a dialect of Rajasthani is widely spoken in Kota with Hindi, Marwari and English being the other languages spoken.
According to 2011 census, Hinduism is the majority religion in the city practised by about 80.5% of the population. Muslims form large minorities (15.9%) followed by Jains (2.2%), Sikhs (0.9%) and Christians (0.4%).
Government institutions and courts
Governmental institutions in Kota include:
Municipal Corporation
Collectorate
Office of the Divisional Commissioner
Rajasthan Housing Board
Command Area Development (CAD)
Urban Improvement Trust (UIT)
Office of the Superintendent of Police, Inspector General of Police, and the Income Tax commissioner of Kota range.
Office of the Divisional Railway Manager, Kota Division, West Central Railway
Office of Deputy Commissioner of central excise and service tax
Instrumentation Ltd is a Public Sector company based in Kota. Its clientele includes public sector entities such as the Indian Railways, BSNL and VSNL. Presently, it has been shut down.
The District court provides court and notary services.
ECONOMY
The city is the trade centre for an area in which cotton, millet, wheat, coriander and oilseeds are grown; industries include cotton and oilseed milling, textile weaving, distilling, dairying, and the manufacture of metal handcrafts. Kota also has an extensive industry of stone-polishing (tiles) of a stone called Kota Stone, used for the floor and walls of residential and business buildings. Since last 15 years Kota has emerged as an Education hub of the country as producing excellent results in IIT-JEE and medical entrance exams.
KOTA EDUCATIONAL INDUSTRY
A major part of Kota's economy depends on its student population. Every year more than 150,000 students visit and study in Kota to study and prepare for JEE and NEET.
The entrance coaching industry in Kota generates business of about ₹40,000 million from them which further contributes towards the economy of the region. Over time, the economical growth and money generated through education in Kota seems to have overtaken other popular economical activities of the region by contributing more and more with time.
KOTA DORIA OR DORIYA AND SAREES
Weaving in Kota was started by Maharana Bhimdev in the 18th century.
The Kota saris like most traditional piece of work had started becoming lost before designer Vidhi Singhania moved to Kota and started working with the workers to revive its market.[38] Many textile shops in the city sell different varieties of Kota doriya. These saris have become one of the trademarks of the city.
KOTA STONE
The fine-grained variety of limestone quarried from Kota district is known as Kota stone, with rich greenish-blue and brown colours. Kota stone is tough, non-water-absorbent, non-slip, and non-porous. The varieties include Kota Blue Natural, Kota Blue Honed, Kota Blue Polished, Kota Blue Cobbles, Kota Brown Natural and Kota Brown Polished.
INDUSTRIES
Kota is one of the industrial hubs in northern India, with chemical, cement, engineering and power plants based there. The total number of industrial units in the district in 2010–11 stood at 12908 with 705 registered units. The district power plants show annual growth of 15–20% due to their strategic locations.
POWER PLANTS
Kota is surrounded by five power stations within its 50 km radius.
Kota Super Thermal Power Plant – thermal
Rajasthan Atomic Power Station in Rawatbhata Chittorgarh district (65 kilometres from Kota) – nuclear
NTPC Anta Gas Power Plant in Antah Baran district (50 kilometers from Kota) – gas
Jawahar Sagar Power Plant – hydro
Kalisindh Thermal Power Station (in Jhalrapatan, Jhalawar) – thermal
Surya Chambal Power Plant in Rangpur Kota district - biomass
EDUCATION
The city is specially known in India as a center for the preparation of various national level competitive examinations through which the students seek admissions in various engineering and medical colleges of the country. Often termed as the "Kota Factory", the town contains more than 40 large coaching institutes for aspiring students trying to pass entrance exams for Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT), through the IIT JEE, other engineering colleges and prominent medical colleges of India.
Since 2000, the city has emerged as a popular coaching destination for competitive exams preparation and for profit educational services. The education sector of Kota has become one of the major contributors to the city's economy. Kota is popularly referred to as "the coaching capital of India". Over 150,000 students from all over the country flock every year towards the city for preparation of various exams such as IIT-JEE and NEET-UG etc. Many hostels and PGs are located in Kota near the vicinity of coaching centres for students. Students live here for 2–3 years and prepare for the exams. The annual turnover of the Kota coaching industry is about ₹1500 crore. The majority of the students here are enrolled in schools, providing the facility of "dummy schooling", which gives students admissions without the need to attend it regularly. However, it is an illegal practice. In 2019, The Viral Fever launched a Web Series called Kota Factory to shed light on the life of students who study at Kota.
Kota's emergence as a coaching hub began in 1985 when Vinod Kumar Bansal, an engineer set up Bansal Classes that eventually became Bansal Classes Private Limited.
STUDENT SUICIDES
In the past few years, reports of students dying by suicide in the city have increased. As per reports, students feel stressed and get pressurized in order to crack their target competitive exam. As per National Crime Records Bureau report of 2014, 45 suicide cases of students were reported in the city. In year 2015, 17 such cases were found. For the same cause, many coaching centers have also appointed counsellors and are organising recreational activities to help students.
MEDICAL AND ENGINERING COLLEGES
Government Medical College, Kota
University Engineering College, Kota
UNIVERSITIES
Agriculture University, Kota
Rajasthan Technical University
Vardhaman Mahaveer Open University
University of Kota
Indian Institute of Information Technology, Kota
Jai Minesh National University, Kota
PLACES OF INTEREST
Some of the popular visitor attractions in and nearby the city include Chambal Garden, Chambal River Front, Seven Wonders Park, Kishore Sagar Lake, Jag Mandir, Kota Garh Palace, Chatra Vilas Garden, Ganesh Udyan, Traffic Garden, Godavari Dham Temple, Geparnath Temple, Garadia Mahadev Temple, Chattaneshwar Mandir, Kota Zoological Park, Abheda Biological Park, City Park(IL Oxizone), Chatrapati Shivaji Park, Maharao Madho Singh Museum, Kota Government Museum, Brijraj Bhawan Palace, Abheda Mahal, Royal Cenotaphs at Kshar Bagh, Kota Barrage, Khade Ganesh Ji Mandir, Shiv Puri Dham, Maa Trikuta Mandir, Kansua Shiv Mandir, Darrah National Park and Jawahar Sagar Dam.
TRANSPORT
Kota is well connected with road and rail to all major cities within Rajasthan as well as those located outside the state.
ROADWAYS
Kota have two major interstate bus terminals, namely, Nayapura Bus Stand at Nayapura and Roadways New Bus Stand at Ramchandrapura.[citation needed] National Highway No.27 (via Udaipur, Kanpur, Gorakhpur, Guwahati) and National highway No.52 (via Hisar, Churu, Sikar, Jaipur, Indore, Aurangabad, Solapur and Hubli) pass through the Kota City. National Highway No.27 is a part of East-West Corridor(Porbandar - Silchar) and National Highway No.52 connects Punjab to Karnataka (Sangrur, Punjab—Ankola, Karnataka). The total road length in Kota district is 2,052 km as of March 2011. There are also three upcoming expressway projects in the form of Delhi–Mumbai Expressway (Via Kota, Rajasthan and Vadodara), Kota–Hyderabad Expressway (Via Indore) and Chambal Expressway.
RAILWAYS
Kota is well connected to all the major cities of India with rail. Kota Junction is one of the divisions in West Central Railway. It is a station on the New Delhi–Mumbai main line. There are four railway stations within Kota and in its vicinity. One Substation of East Kota City is Sogariya(Kota Bypass) Railway Station and Another suburban station of South Kota city is Dakaniya Talav railway station which has a stoppage of Avadh Express, Dehradun Express and Ranthambore Express.
The city is a halt for over 182 trains, including Mumbai Rajdhani Express, August Kranti Rajdhani Express, Thiruvananthapuram Rajdhani Express, Madgaon Rajdhani Express, Mumbai New Delhi Duronto Express, Golden Temple Mail, Paschim Express, Bandra Terminus-Hazrat Nizamuddin Garib Rath Express, Kevadiya–Hazrat Nizamuddin Gujarat Sampark Kranti Express, Gujarat Sampark Kranti Express, Maharashtra Sampark Kranti Express, Goa Sampark Kranti Express, Kerala Sampark Kranti Express, Indore–Jaipur Express, Gangaur SuperFast Express, Mewar Express, Dayodaya Express, Jodhpur – Indore Intercity, Hazrat Nizamuddin - Indore Express, Garbha Express, Marusagar Express (Ajmer – Ernakulam Express / Ernakulam Express), Jaipur–Mysore Superfast Express, Swaraj Express, Chennai Central–Jaipur Superfast Express, Coimbatore–Jaipur Superfast Express, Jodhpur – Puri Express, Bandra Terminus–Gorakhpur Avadh Express, Bandra Terminus–Muzaffarpur Avadh Express, Jodhpur – Bhopal Express.
The Delhi—Mumbai railway line passes through the Kota Junction. The district has 148.83 km of railway line in the Kota – Ruthia section, 98.72 km on Nagda—Mathura (Mumbai-Delhi) section and 24.26 km on Kota —Chittorgarh section.
A broad-gauge railway facility between Kota and Jodhpur via Jaipur exists.
AIRWAYS
Kota Airport, (IATA: KTU, ICAO: VIKO) is a civil airport serving Kota, Rajasthan, India. Spread over 447 acres, Kota Airport was originally built by the Royal family of the princely state of Kota and was taken over by the government in 1951. This Airport Also Known As Rajputana Airport. Originally serviced by Indian Airlines Dakota aircraft and later by Vayudoot and Jagson Airlines, shutdown of major industries and Kota becoming a major railway junction effected decreased demand for air transport and the withdrawal of the airlines. Kota Airport has had no scheduled services operating since 1999. The nearest international airport is Jaipur International Airport situated around 240 km away from Kota. Development of Greenfield airport at Kota: The representative of Rajasthan Government intimated that runway length of Existing Kota Airport is only 4000 ft., which restricts flight operations under RCS. A new Greenfield Airport is to be constructed in Kota. State Government has earmarked required land for this purpose. State Government has provided Meteorological Information of past 10 years and AAI has carried out pre- feasibility survey & provided its report to the State Government. Further, AAI has been requested twice to carry out Site and OLS Survey and to provide further course of action to be taken by the State Government, which is approved. Directions need to be issued to AAI for early completion of the same. For development of Greenfield airport at Kota, 1250 Acres of land acquired by the State Government and handed over to AAI for development of New Greenfield Airport.
SPORTS
The city is home to Jay Kaylon Cricket Stadium located in Nayapura area. Among several matches, six Ranji Trophy matches have been played in the stadium. The stadium also hosted RCL T20 2016, an inter state cricket league with six participating teams.
MEDIA
TELEVISION
There are five major regional TV Channels in Kota.
DD Rajasthan
Media House Rajasthan(MHR News)
ETV Rajasthan
India news Rajasthan
Jan TV
A wide range of other Hindi, English, and other language channels are accessible via cable subscription and direct-broadcast satellite services. Dish TV, Tata Sky, Radiant Digitek, Airtel digital TV are entertainment services in Kota.
NEWSPAPERS
Major daily newspapers in Kota include:
Rajasthan Patrika (Hindi)
Dainik Bhaskar (Hindi)
Dainik Navajyoti (Hindi)
Chambal Sandesh (Hindi)
RADIO
There are five radio stations in Kota, with four broadcasting on the FM band, and one All India Radio station broadcasting on the AM band.
All India Radio (102.0 MHz)
Big FM (92.7 MHz)
My FM (94.3 MHz)
FM Tadka (95.0 MHz)
Radio City (91.1 MHz)
NOTABLE PEOPLE
Umed Singh II
Om Birla
Ijyaraj Singh
Onkarlal Berwa
Shanti Kumar Dhariwal
Vinod Kumar Bansal
Bhim Singh II
Lalit Kishore Chaturvedi
Bhuvnesh Chaturvedi
Krishana Kumar Goyal
Shail Hada
Taj Haider
Hari Kumar Audichya
Raghuveer Singh Koshal
Shiv Kumari of Kotah
Bhuvaneshwari Kumari
Nikita Lalwani
Pramod Maheshwari
Aniruddh Singh
WIKIPEDIA
Panchgani
( Famous for Table Land )
Each place has something unique to offer. Maybe just one thing, but a something that is it's own. A particular sweet smell, the way the breeze hums or roar when it flirts with the trees or maybe the taste of water. Or may be even a falling of emotion that you associate with the hills when you go there for the first time. One of the first things you notice as you drive into Panchgani are the number of schools that are tucked away inside the curves and turns of the hill station. In fact, you might know that Panchgani is famous for its numerous Boarding Schools. Many prefers to get a glimpses of the sweet blend or romance that fits all around. One must see chart or marked out on the tourist map are places excitingly named as Bhim Chula (Devils's Kitchen) and Harrison's valley, which is one of the most breath taking sights of all. Sidney point is another favourite tourist haunt. Then there is Parsi Point the most windy joint, over looks the Krishna Valley and near blue waters of the Dhom dam. Table land, the Panchgani Pleasure is a hotspot which is unmissable. It is one of the largest Table Land in the continent and famous for Film shootings.
#Bhimtal well away of 22 km from #Nainital. It's a really small #mountain section and has been called following one of many pandav brother’s, Bhim. #City has a really small area to the north western part, which can be a nice-looking #treasure in the hub of the lake. It is put within the number of brow alarms, which were creating a #lovely noise for almost about 300 years.
#Bhimtal_resorts provide greater features for #tourists.The #weather of the town is #cool and #enjoyable in #winters and #pleasant in the #summers. There are various tourists spots in the #town and the famous one is Bhimtal Lake. It is one of those Tourists #spots which needs to be visited by every #Visitors who visit Bhimatal.
For more info visit: www.bhimtalresorts.com/
Here's a preview of the photographic conversion beginning Sunday:
The photographs of a wonderful friend, Mr.Dharmendra Singh. Mr. Singh will escort us around the beautiful city of Agra. If you can only visit one city in all of India, it should be Agra. When this week is over you'll understand why. The image on the left is Topaz Adjust and on the right is Topaz Simplify. Here is the link to Mr. Dharmendra Singh's Flickrsite:
www.flickr.com/photos/33294567@N07/
PIctured are two versions of a photograph by Mr. Singh with two children at the entrance of the Baby Taj in Agra, India.
Agra
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Location of Agra
Country India
State Uttar Pradesh
District(s) Agra
Population
• Density 1,650,000 (2008[update])
• 8,758 /km2 (22,683 /sq mi)
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
Area
• Elevation 188.40 km² (73 sq mi)
• 171 m (561 ft)
Coordinates: 27°11′N 78°01′E / 27.18°N 78.02°E / 27.18; 78.02
Agra is a city on the banks of the Yamuna River in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, India. It finds mention in the epic Mahabharata when it was called Agrabana, or Paradise. Tradition and legend ascribe the present city of Raja(around 1475) whose fort, Badalgarh, stood on or near the site of the present Fort. However, the 12th century Persian poet Salman writes of a desperate assault on the fortress of Agra, then held by one King Jaipal, by Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni. It was ruled by Sultan Sikandar Lodi in the year 1506. It achieved fame as the capital of the Mughal emperors from 1526 to 1658 and remains a major tourist destination because of its many splendid Mughal-era buildings, most notably the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri, all three of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Geography
Agra is situated on the banks of Yamuna river. It has an average elevation of 171 metres (561 ft). On the north it is bound by Mathura, on the south by Dhaulpur, on the east by Firozabad, on the south-east by Fatehabad and on the west by Bharatpur. Agra is the third biggest city in Uttar Pradesh. The Agra district is divided into Six Tehsils and 15 Blocks. Total number of Nayay Panchayats in the district are 114 while Gram Sabhas stands at 636. The total populated villages are 904. The total number of police stations in the district are 41 out of which 16 are in Urban area and 25 are in Rural area. The total number of Railway Stations (including Halts) are 29 and Bus Stands/Bus Stops are 144. Total number of Broad Gauge lines is 196 K.M. and Meter Gauge is 35 K.M.[citation needed]
Agra, located on the Indo-Gangetic plain has a humid continental climate, with long, hot summers from April to September when temperatures can reach as high as 45 °C (113 °F). During summers dry winds (loo) blow in this region. The monsoon months from July to September see about 69 cm (27 inches) of rainfall annually. Winters last from November to February, with day time temperatures comfortably warm, but temperatures below freezing are not uncommon during the night. Agra is also prone to dense fog during the winter months of December & January.
A major tourist destination, Agra is best visited in the months of October, November, February and March, when the average temperatures are between 16-25 °C (60-75 °F). The monsoon season should be avoided by non-Indians due to the risk of disease and flooding, and the months of April to June due to the extreme heat. The months of December and January are to be avoided due to the dense fog and often freezing temperatures, especially since much of the city has no heating system.
Demographics
As of the 2000 Indian census, Agra had a population of 1,800,000. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Agra has an average literacy rate of 65%, higher than the national average of 63.5%; with 76% males literate. 11% of the population is under 6 years of age. Hindi is spoken by virtually everyone. English & Urdu are also spoken.
History
Agra is a medieval city situated on the banks of the river Yamuna. It is generally accepted that Sultan Sikandar Lodi, the Ruler of Delhi Sultanate founded it in the year 1504. After the sultan's death the city passed on to his son Sultan Ibrahim Lodi. He ruled his Sultanate from Agra until he fell fighting to Babur in the First battle of Panipat fought in 1526.
In the year 1556, the great Hindu warrior, Hemu Vikramaditya also known as Hem Chander Vikramaditya won Agra as Prime Minister cum Chief of Army of Adil Shah of Afgan Sur Dynasty. The commander of Humayun / Akbar's forces in Agra was so scared of Hemu that he ran away from Agra without the fight. This was Hemu's 21st continuous win, who later on won Delhi also and had his coronation at Purana Qila in Delhi and re-established Hindu Kingdom and the Vikramaditya Dynasty in North India.
The golden age of the city began with the Mughals. It was known then as Akbarabad and remained the capital of the Mughal Empire under Emperor Akbar, Jahangir and Shah Jahan. Shah Jahan later shifted his capital to Shahjahanabad in the year 1649.
Taj Mahal.Since Akbarabad was one of the most important cities in India under the Mughals, it witnessed a lot of building activity. Babar, the founder of the Mughal dynasty laid out the first formal Persian garden on the banks of river Yamuna. The garden is called the Aram Bagh or the Garden of Relaxation. His grandson Akbar raised the towering ramparts of the Great Red Fort besides making Agra, a center for learning arts, commerce and religion. Akbar also built a new city on the outskirts of Akbarabad called Fatehpur Sikri. This city was built in the form of a Mughal military camp in stone.
His son Jahangir had a love of gardens and flora and fauna and laid many gardens inside the Red Fort or Laal Kila. Shah Jahan known for his keen interest in architecture gave Akbarabad its most prized monument, The Taj Mahal. Built in loving memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal, the mausoleum was completed in 1653.
Shah Jahan later shifted the capital to Delhi during his reign, but this son Aurangzeb shifted the capital back to Akbarabad and had his father imprisoned in the Fort there. Akbarabad remained capital of India during the rule of Aurangzeb until he shifted it to Aurangabad in the Deccan in 1653. After the decline of the Mughal Empire, the city came under the influence of Marathas and Jats and was called Agra, before falling into the hands of the British Raj in 1803.
Agra, Main Street, c.1858In 1835 when the Presidency of Agra was established by the British, the city became the seat of government, and just two year later it was the witness to the Agra famine of 1837–38. During the Indian rebellion of 1857 British rule across India was threatened, news of the rebellion had reached Agra on 11 May and on the 30th of May two companies of native infantry, the 44th and 67th regiments, rebelled and marched to Delhi. The next morning native Indian troops in Agra were forced to disarm, on 15 June Gwalior (which lies south of Agra) rebelled. By 3 July the British were forced to withdraw into the fort. Two days later a small British force at Sucheta were defeated and force to withdraw, this lead to a mob sacking the city. However the rebels moved onto Delhi which allowed the British to restore order by the 8th of July. Delhi fell to the British in September, the following month rebels who had fled Delhi along with rebels from Central India marched on Agra - but were defeated. After this British rule was again secured over the city until the independence of India in 1947.
Agra is the birth place of religion Din-i-Ilahi, which flourished during the reign of Akbar and also of the Radhaswami Faith, which has around two million followers worldwide.
Transportation
Getting In
By Air
Agra Airport at Kheria is about 6 km from the city centre, but is not very well connected. Now one can catch connecting flights to Agra via delhi or jaipur from most of the major cities of India. Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi is the best option. Agra is very well connected to Delhi both by rail and road.
By Rail
Main Article : Railways in Agra
Agra is on the main train line between Delhi (Station Code : NDLS) and Mumbai (Bombay) (Station Code : CSTM) and between Delhi and Chennai (Station Code : MAS) and many trains connect Agra with these cities every day. Some east-bound trains from Delhi also travel via Agra, so direct connections to points in Eastern India (including Kolkata) (Calcutta) are also available. There are close to 20 trains to Delhi every day, and at least three or four to both Mumbai and Chennai. There are three stations in Agra:
Agra Cantt (Station Code : AGC) is the main railway station and lies southwest of the Taj and Agra Fort, both of which are a short ride from the station by car, auto-rickshaw, or cycle rickshaw. There's a prepaid taxi stand right outside that charges a flat Rs.120 to any hotel in the city. The station has a pretty good Comesum food court that also sells cheap, hygienic takeaway snacks (sandwiches, samosas, etc).
Agra Fort Railway Station (Station Code : AF) near Agra Fort, is infrequently serviced by the interstate express trains. The station serves trains to the east (Kanpur, Gorakhpur, Kolkata, Guwahati) some of these trains also stop at Agra Cantt.
Raja Ki Mandi (Station Code : RKM) is a small station. Some of the train which stop at Agra Cantt also stop here. Its a very laid back station and springs into life at the arrival of Intercity Express and Taj Express.
The luxury trains - Palace on Wheels, ROYAL RAJASTHAN ON WHEELS also stop at Agra on their eight day round trip of tourist destinations in Rajasthan and Agra.
A special train BUDDHIST SPECIAL TRAIN ALSO GOES TO AGRA
By Road
Idgah Bus Stand is the biggest Bus Stand in Agra and is connected to most of the bigger cities in North India.
From Delhi: NH2, a modern divided highway, connects the 200 km distance from Delhi to Agra. The drive is about 4 hours. The primary access to the highway is along Mathura Road in Delhi but, if coming from South Delhi or Delhi Airport, it is easier to take Aurobindo Marg (Mehrauli Road) and then work up to NH2 via Tughlakabad.
From Jaipur: National Highway 11, a two lane undivided highway, connects Agra with Jaipur via the bird sanctuary town of Bharatpur. The distance of around 255 km can be covered in around 4-5 hours.
From Gwalior A distance of around 120 km, takes around 1.5 hours on the National highway 3, also known as the Agra - Mumbai Highway.
From Lucknow / Kanpur NH2, the divided modern highway, continues on to Kanpur (285 km, 5 hours) and from there to points East ending in Kolkata. From Kanpur, NH25 heads for the city of Lucknow (90 km, 2 hours).
Local Transportation
Auto rickshaw and Cycle Rickshaw are the main mode of transport in Agra and are available very readily. The Rickshaw are not metered so its best to negotiate the fares before the ride.
City Buses are there but they frequency is very low.
Polluting vehicles are not allowed near Taj Mahal, so one needs to take electric Auto's or Tanga (Tonga) from few KM outside Taj Mahal.
Places of Interest
Taj Mahal from Agra fort.
[edit] Taj Mahal
Main article: Taj Mahal
The Taj MahalAgra's Taj Mahal is one of the most famous buildings in the world, the mausoleum of Shah Jahan's favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. It is one of the New 7 Wonders of the world, and one of three World Heritage Sites in Agra, the others being Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri.
Completed in 1653 CE., the Taj Mahal is believed to have been built by the Mughal Badshah (king) Shah Jahan as the final resting place for his beloved wife, Mumtaz. Finished in marble, it is perhaps India's most fascinating and beautiful monument. This perfectly symmetrical monument took 22 years (1630-1652) of hard labour and 20,000 workers, masons and jewellers to build and is set amidst landscaped gardens. Built by the Persian architect, Ustad Isa, the Taj Mahal is on the bank of the Yamuna River. It can be observed like a mirage from the Agra Fort from where Emperor Shah Jahan stared at it, for the last eight years his life as a prisoner of his son Aurangzeb. It is a masterpiece of symmetry, seeming to be floating in the air from a distance, and each revealed as an illusion experienced as one enters through the main gate. Verses of the Koran are inscribed on it and at the top of gate 22 small domes, signifying the number of years the monument took to build. The Taj Mahal was built on a marble platform that stands above a sandstone one. The most elegant dome of the Taj, with a diameter of 60 feet (18 m), rises 80 feet (24 m) over the building and directly under the dome is the tomb of Mumtaz Mahal. Shah Jahan's tomb was erected next to hers by his son Aurangzeb. Fantastic inlay works using semi-precious stones decorate the interiors.
Opening Times: sunrise to sunset (closed Fridays)
Agra Fort
Amar Singh Gate,
one of two entrances into Agra's Red FortAnother world heritage site in Agra. Agra's dominant structure,purushotam the Agra Fort (sometimes called the Red Fort), was built by Akbar in 1565. Be Noted that a Stone Plate located at the Gate of Fort describes it to be built before 1000 and later renovated by Akbar. The red sandstone fort was renovated and converted into a palace during Shah Jahan's time, and reworked extensively with marble and pietra dura inlay. Notable buildings in the fort include the Pearl Mosque, the Diwan-e-Am and Diwan-e-Khas (halls of public and private audience), Jehangir's Palace, Khaas Mahal, Sheesh Mahal (mirrored palace), and Musamman Burj.
The great Mughal Emperor Akbar commissioned the construction of the Agra Fort in 1565 CE., although additions were made till the time of his grandson Shah Jahan. The forbidding exteriors of this fort hide an inner paradise. The fort is crescent shaped, flattened on the east with a long, nearly straight wall facing the river. It has a total perimeter of 2.4 k.m., and is ringed by double castellated ramparts of red sandstone punctuated at regular intervals by bastions. A 9 mt. wide and 10 mt. deep moat surround the outer wall.
Shivaji visited Agra fort as per the "Purandar Treaty" entered into with Mirza Raja Jaisingh to met Aurangzeb in the Diwan-i-khas. In the audience he was deliberately placed behind men of lower rank. Insulted Shivaji stormed out of the imperial audience and was confined to Jai Sing's quarters on 12 May 1666. Fearing the dungeons and execution, in a famously sweet legend, he escaped on the 17th of August 1666. A heroic equestrian statue of Shivaji has been erected outside the fort.
The fort standing as a typical example of the Mughal architecture.It shows how the North Indian style of fort construction differentiated from that of the South.In South majority of the beautiful forts were built on the sea beds like the one at Bekal in Kerala [for more details refer 'History of Bekal Fort' by Nandakumar Koroth]
Fatehpur Sikri
Diwan-i-Khas – Hall of Private AudienceThe Mughal Emperor Akbar built Fatehpur Sikri about 35 km from Agra, and moved his capital there. Later abandoned, the site displays a number of buildings of significant historical importance. A World Heritage Site, it is often visited by tourists to Agra. The name of the place came after Mughal Emperor Babur defeated Rana Sanga in a battle at a place called Sikri (about 40 km from Agra). Then Mughal Emperor Akbar wanted to make Fatehpur Sikri his head quarters. So he built this majestic fort. But due to shortage of water he had to ultimately move his headquarters to Agra Fort.
Buland Darwaza or the loft gateway was built by the great Mughal emperor, Akbar in 1601 CE. at Fatehpur Sikri. Akbar built the Buland Darwaza to commemorate his victory over Gujarat. The Buland Darwaza is approached by 42 steps. The Buland Darwaza is 53.63 m high and 35 meters wide. Buland Darwaza is the highest gateway in the world and an astounding example of the Mughal architecture. The Buland Darwaza or the magnificence gateway is made of red and buff sandstone, decorated by carving and inlaying of white and black marble. An inscription on the central face of the Buland Darwaza throws light on Akbar's religious broad mindedness, here is an inscription one on the monument which is a message from Jesus advising his followers not to consider this world as their permanent home.
Itmad-Ud-Daulah's Tomb
The 'Itmad-Ud-Daulah's Tomb at Agra'Empress Nur Jehan built Itmad-Ud-Daulah's Tomb, sometimes called the Baby Taj, for her father, Ghias-ud-Din Beg, the Chief Minister of Emperor Jahangir. Located on the left bank of the Yamuna river, the mausoleum is set in a large cruciform garden criss-crossed by water courses and walkways. The mausoleum itself is set on a base about 50 meters square and about 1 meter high. The mausoleum is about 23 meters square. On each corner are hexagonal towers, about 13 meters tall. Small in comparison to many other Mughal-era tombs, it is sometimes described as a jewel box. Its garden layout and use of white marble, pietra dura, inlay designs and latticework presage many elements of the Taj Mahal.
The walls are white marble from Rajasthan encrusted with semi-precious stone decorations - cornelian, jasper, lapis lazuli, onyx, and topaz in images of cypress trees and wine bottles, or more elaborate decorations like cut fruit or vases containing bouquets. Light to the interior passes through delicate jali screens of intricately carved white marble.
Many of Nur Jahan's relatives are interred in the mausoleum. The only asymmetrical element of the entire complex is that the cenotaphs of her father and mother have been set side-by-side, a formation replicated in the Taj Mahal
Tomb of Akbar the Great
Tomb of Akbar the GreatSikandra, the last resting place of the Mughal Emperor Akbar the Great, is on Delhi-Agra Highway, is only 13 kilometres from the Agra Fort. Akbar's tomb reflects the completeness of his personality. The vast, beautifully carved, red-ochre sandstone tomb with deers, rabbits and Langoor is set amidst a lush garden. Akbar himself planned his own tomb and selected a suitable site for it. To construct a tomb in one's lifetime was a Tartary custom which the Mughals followed religiously. Akbar's son Jahangir completed the construction of this pyramidal tomb in 1613. The names of Gods of 99 religious sects have been inscribed on Akbar's Tomb.
Swami Bagh Samadhi
The Swami Bagh Samadhi is the mausoleum of Huzur Swamiji Maharaj (Shri Shiv Dayal Singh Seth) in the Swamibagh section, on Bhagwan Talkies to Dayal bagh road, in the outskirts of the city. He was the founder of the Radhaswami Faith and the Samadhi is sacred to its followers. Construction began in February 1904 and still continues. It is believed that the construction will never end at Swami Bagh. It is often seen as the "next Taj Mahal". The carvings in stone, using a combination or coloured marble, is life-like and not seen anywhere else in India. The picture shown is taken from the backside and shows only two floors. When completed, the samadhi will have a carved dome and a gateway.
Mankameshwar Temple
MankaMeswar Temple is one of the four ancient temples dedicated to Lord Shiva that are located on the four corners of Agra City. It is located in the near the Jama Masjid and is about 2.5 kilometers from Taj Mahal and about less than 1 km from Agra Fort. Being located in the old city, the temple is surrounded by Mughal-era markets, some of which date back to the early days of Mughal rule in India.
Guru ka Tal
Guru ka Tal was originally a reservoir meant to collect and conserve rainwater built in Agra, near Sikandra, during Jehangir's reign next to the Tomb of Itibar Khan Khwajasara in 1610. In 1970s a gurudwara was erected here. Guru ka Tal is a holy place of worship for the Sikh. Four of the 10 Sikh gurus are said to have paid it a visit. Enjoying both historical and religious importance, this gurudwara attracts number of devotees and tourists. Boasting elaborate stone carvings and 8 towers of the 12 original towers, this gurudwara beckons travelers from far and away to bask in its glory.It is established at national(Delhi-Agra)highway-2. Akbar Tomb is 2 kilometer far from Guru Ka Tal.
Jama Masjid (Agra)
The Jama Masjid is a large mosque attributed to Shah Jahan's daughter, Princess Jahanara Begum, built in 1648, notable for its unusual dome and absence of minarets. The inscription at its entrance shows that it costed Rs 5 Lakhs at that time for its completion
Chini Ka Rauza
Notable for its Persian influenced dome of blue glazed tiles, the Chini Ka Rauza is dedicated to the Prime Minister of Shah Jahan, Allama Afzel Khal Mullah Shukrullah of Shiraz.
Ram Bagh
The oldest Mughal garden in India, the Ram Bagh was built by the Emperor Babur in 1528 on Yamuna's bank. It lies about 2.34 km north of Taj Mahal. The pavilions in this garden are designed in such a manner that the wind from the Yamuna, combined with the greenery, keeps these pavilions cool even during the peak of summer. Aram Bagh is also incorrectly called Ram Bagh by the locals. It was the place where Mughal emperor Babar used to spend his liesure time and at the same place he died and his body was kept here for sometime before sending it to Kabul
Mariams Tomb
Mariams Tomb, is the tomb of Mariam, the wife of great Mughal Emperor Akbar. The tomb is within the compound of Christian Missionary Society.
Mehtab Bagh
Mehtab Bagh, is on the opposite bank of River Yamuna on which the Taj is present.
Keetham Lake
Also known as Sur Sarovar, the Keetham Lake is situated at about 23 kilometres from Agra within the Surdas Reserved Forest. The lake has an impressive variety of aquatic life and water birds. The tranquil surroundings present an ideal relaxing place.
Mughal Heritage Walk
Mughal Heritage Walk is a 1km loop which connects the agricultural fields with the Rajasthani culture, river bank connected with the ancient village of Kuchhpura, the Heritage Structure of Mehtab Bagh, the Mughal aqueduct system, the Humanyun Mosque and the Gyarah Sidi.
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Agra.
Mughal Emperor Akbar's Tomb, near Agra, India.
Soami Bagh Samadh, in Dayalbagh.
Panch Mahal in Fatehpur Sikri.
World Heritage Sites Taj Mahal · Agra Fort · Fatehpur Sikri
Mughal architecture Sikandra · Itmad-Ud-Daulah · Chini Ka Rauza · Mariams Tomb
Masjids Jama Masjid · Moti Masjid
Other Religious places Swamibagh · Mankameshwar Temple · Guru ka Tal · Bateshwar
Shopping Sadar Bazaar · Sanjay Place · Raja ki mandi · Loha Mandi
Gardens Ram Bagh · Mehtab Bagh · Paliwal Park
Wildlife Sanctuaries National Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary · Keetham Lake · Patna Bird Sanctuary
Fairs Taj Mahotsav · Ram Barat
Economy
A shopping mall situated on the Fatehabad Road in Agra, U.P.Tourism contributes to a large extent in the economy of Agra. Agra has some of the finest Hotels & Spa's in India. Agra is home to Asia’s largest spa called Kaya Kalp — The Royal Spa, at Hotel Mughal in Agra.
The city also has a substantial industrial base. A lot of manufacturing plants and industry related wholesale markets are prominent in Agra. Agra's industries are doing a fine job in various fields. Producers and dealers of Agra have a vast market to support them.
Agra has a good number of apparel and garment manufacturers and exporters. Agra has also an important market for the automobile industry. Anil Diesels, Harvest Group of Industries, Indian Agriculture & Automobile Corporation(IAAC) and Malloys India are some of the major players of the automobile industry in Agra.
The Sadar Bazar market in the Agra Cantonment
An Agra craftsman working with marble stone inlays. The marble is colored red to give contrast while working.Over 7200 Small Scale Industrial Units are spared all over the district. Agra city is famous for the Leather Goods, Handicrafts, Zari Zardozi, Marvel and Stone carving & inlay work. Agra is also welknown for its sweets (Petha & Gajak) and Snacks (Dalmoth)
The leather industry is among the most traditional and original industries of Agra. Some of the leading manufacturers, exporter and sellers of leather in Agra are Polyplast Industries, Royal International, Eskay Sales Corporation, Best Buy, Bandejjia Traders and Expomore.[citation needed]
With the expansion of the Agra city, more and more construction works are going around the city. To facilitate the flow of work, a lot of organizations dealing in building materials have come up. A few leading names are Silver Gatta Agency, Yashoda Exports, Glass Expressions and Sharda Enterprises. The jeweleries of Agra is a great favorite with the tourists and is in good demand in the international market also. The Yoga Handicrafts and the D.R.Chain and Wire Manufacturing Company are two of the several important names of the related industry.
Education
Agra has always been a centre for education and learning. It was during the advent of Mughal era that Agra grew as a centre of Islamic education. In the coming decades Agra saw great literary figures come from the city. Abul Fazl and others were among the pioneers. The Urdu literature grew by leaps and bounds in the city. Mir Taqi "Mir" and Mirza Asadullah Beg "Ghalib" were the icons produced by the city.
Britishers introduced the western concept of education in Agra. In the year 1823, Agra College, one of the oldest colleges in India was formed out of a Sanskrit school established by the Scindia rulers.
In the British era, Agra became a great center of Hindi literature with people like Babu Gulab Rai at the helm.
University
Agra University [2] was established on 1 July 1927 and catered to colleges spread across the United Provinces, the Rajputana, the Central Provinces and almost to entire North India, at present around 142 Colleges are affiliated to this University. The historic Agra University was later rechristened as Dr. BhimRao Ambedkar University by the then Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Ms. Mayawati.
Dayalbagh Educational Institute [3]. Radhasoami Satsang Sabha, started the Radhasoami Educational Institute, as a co-educational Middle School, open to all, on January 1, 1917. It became a Degree College in 1947, affiliated to Agra University. In 1975, it formulated an innovative and comprehensive programme of undergraduate studies which received approbation from the Government of Uttar Pradesh and the University Grants Commission, as a result of which in 1981 the Ministry of Education, Government of India, conferred the status of an institution deemed to be a University on the Dayalbagh Educational Institute, to implement the new scheme.
Central Institute of Hindi [4]. Central Institute of Hindi (also known as Kendriya Hindi Sansthan) is an autonomous institute under Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India engaged in teaching Hindi as a foreign and second language. Apart from running regular and residential Hindi language courses for foreign students, the institute also conducts regular training programmes for teachers of Hindi belonging to non-Hindi states of India.The institute is situated at a 11 acres campus on the outskirts of Agra city. Headquartered in Agra the institute has eight regional centers in Delhi, Hyderabad, Mysore, Shillong, Dimapur, Guwahati, Ahmedabad and Bhubneshwar. The institute is the only government run institution in India established solely for research and teaching of Hindi as a foreign and second language.
College
Agra is also home to some of the oldest and renowned colleges
The Institute of Engineering & Technology Khandari, Agra (I.E.T. Khandari, Agra), is the prestigious and renowned engineering institute of Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar University, Agra (formerly Agra University), situated at Khandari, Agra in Uttar Pradesh [1] [2].
Sarojini Naidu Medical College [5], Agra, named after the first lady Governess of Uttar Pradesh, poetess and freedom fighter, Bharat Kokila Smt. Sarojini Naidu, is one of the first three Medical Schools of the country. During year 2004-2005, S. N. Medical College & Hospital is celebrating its 150th Foundation year (1854-2004)
St. John's College, Agra [6], was established in 1850 by the Church Missionary Society of England through the efforts of the Agra C. M. S. Association which came into being in 1840. Shankar Dayal Sharma, the 9th President of India received his education from St. John's college.
F.E.T Agra College,Agra [7] Carrying the legacy of Agra College and Agra University, Faculty of Engineering and technology came into existence in the Year 2000, the college which is nearly 9 years old can boast of strong alumni base which is spread all across the world.
RBSCollege,Agra [8] RBS College is one of the biggest college of ASIA , It has a prestegious history and was started by AWAGARH Kingdom.This college is having the largest campus area and maximum number of education branches.
School
Britishers also introduced English medium schools to the city known as convent schools as they were attached to a church. Some of the prominent school are
Air Force School, Kheria, Agra.
Army School Agra Cantt.
RBS Inter College, Khandari, Agra
N. C. V. Inter college, Agra Cantt.
St. Peter's College, Agra [9], built in 1846, is in fact one of the oldest of its kind in the country.
Sumeet Rahul Goel Memorial Senior Secondary School, Kamla Nagar, Agra
St. Patrick's Junior College, Agra [Built in 1842, 1st Convent of Jesus and Mary in Asia, and IInd in the world]
St. Conrad's Inter College, Transport Nagar
St. George's College, Hariparvat
ROYAL PUBLIC SCHOOL, Transyamuna, NH-2, Agra
St. Andrew's Senior Secondary School, karmayogi Enclave
DPS , Shastripuram[10]
St. Clare's Senior Secondary School[11]
St. Francis Convent School, Wazirpura Road, Agra
B.R.B. Saraswati Vidya Mandir, Runakta, Agra
St.Paul's Church College, bagh farzana agra
Wellam Garden School, Nehru Enclave, Shaheed Nagar
Saraswati Vidhya Mandir, Vijay Nagar, Agra
Saraswati Vidhya Mandir, Kamla Nagar, Agra
INDRABHAN G. INTER COLLEGE, DARESI NO. 2, Agra
Mahavir Digember Jain Inter College Agra