DUNGARPUR

ABOUT DUNGARPUR:

• Dungarpur is a city in the southernmost part of Rajasthan, India. It is the administrative headquarters of Dungarpur District. It is situated on a level upland, about 50 miles (80 km) south of Udaipur.
• The district Dungarpur is named after 'the town of hillocks' and the capital of the former princely state of Dungarpur. It is located in the southern part of Rajasthan between 23° 20' and 24° 01' north latitude and 73° 21' and 74° 01' east longitude.
• The district has an area of 3,770 km², which is bounded on the southeast by the districts of Sabarkantha, Panchmahal and Dahod of the state of Gujarat. The Vatrak River originates in Dungarpur District.
• The climate of Dungarpur is quite dry. The summer season is hot, but milder than most of the other Rajasthan cities. The average temperature in summer falls in the range of 43°C (max) to 26°C (min). The winter season is fairly cool. The average temperature ranges between 25°C (max) to 9°C (min). The average annual rainfall for Dungarpur hovers between 47 cm to 76 cm. The mean temperature in Durgapur is 23°C in November with a humidity of 68%.
• The town is an agricultural market centre and is linked by road with Udaipur as well as with Vadodara, Ahmadabad, and Indore via Godhra in Gujarat state. Agriculture is the principal occupation, and wheat, millet, rice, corn (maize), and pulses are the chief crops. Beryllium, lead, zinc, silver, iron ore, and mica deposits are worked extensively.

MODE OF COMMUNICATION:

• Airport: Maharana Pratap Airport in Udaipur, 124 km away, is the closest airport. Foreign travelers can deplan at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, 146 km from Dungarpur.
• Rail: Dungarpur railway station is a small railway station in Dungarpur district, It serves Dungarpur town and station consists of a single platform.
• Raod: Dungarpur is within Driving distance of Jaipur (502 Kms - 8.00 hours).

ATTRACTIONS OF DUNGARPUR

Udai Bilas Palace:

• The Udai Bilas Palace has been named after MaharawalUdai Singh II.
• Its striking design follows classic Rajput architectural style and boasts of detailed designs in its balconies, arches and windows.
• A beautiful wing built of the local bluish grey stone called Pareva overlooks the lake.
• The palace is segregated into Raniwas, Udai Bilas and Krishna Prakash, also known as EkThambiyaMahal.
• The EkThambiyaMahal is a veritable marvel of Rajput architecture featuring intricate sculptured pillars and panels, ornate balconies, balustrades, bracketed windows, arches and frieze of marble carvings. Today, Udai Bilas Palace functions as a heritage hotel. 

Juna Mahal:

• Juna Mahal (Old Palace) is a 13th century, seven-storeyed edifice.
• It is built on a high platform constructed from Pareva stone and its rugged exterior gives it a resemblance of a citadel.
• It has been elaborately planned with fortified walls, watchtowers, narrow doorways and corridors to delay the enemy for as long as possible.
• Visitors will be spellbound by the beautiful murals, miniature paintings and delicate glass and mirror work that adorn the interiors.

 Gaib Sagar Lake:

• The lake is famous for the shrine of Shrinathji that rests on its banks.
• The shrine complex contains numerous exquisitely carved temples and one core temple, the Vijay Rajrajeshwar Temple.
• The temple of Lord Shiva displays the skilled craftsmanship of the famed sculptors or ‘shilpkars’ of Dungarpur.

Government Archaeological Museum:

• This museum was established with the objective of displaying sculptures collected by the Department of Archaeology and Museums, Government of Rajasthan, mainly from the Vagad region.
• The Dungarpur Royal family helped set up the museum by gifting land and its own personal collection of charming sculptures and historically important inscriptions. 
• The collection housed here includes statutes of various deities, stone inscriptions, coins and paintings dating back to the 6th century.

Badal Mahal:

• The Badal Mahal, built using Pareva stone, is another splendid palace of Dungarpur.
• It is located on the banks of GaibSagar Lake, it is renowned for its elaborate design and a fusion of the architectural styles of the Rajputs and the Mughals.
• The monument comprises two stages, three domes and a veranda. Each dome sports a carved half ripe lotus while the largest dome sports three.

Beneshwar temple:

• The Beneshwar temple, containing the most revered Shiva Linga of the region, is situated on a delta. formed at the confluence of Som and Mahi rivers.
• The Linga is believed to be Swayambhu or self created .It stands five feet high and is spilt broken at the top in five parts.
• Just near the Beneshwar temple is the Vishu temple constructed in 1793 A.D. by Jankunwari, daughter - in law of Mavji, a highly revered saint and believed to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
• The temple is said to be constructed at the place where Mavji spent his time praying to God. Two disciples of Mavji called Aje and Vaje built the Laxmi Narayan temple.
• Though these are other Gods and Goddesses, People identify them as Mavji, his wife, his son, his daughter-in law and disciple Jiwandas. Besides these temple, there is also a temple of Lord Brahma.

Bhuvaneshwar – Shiva Temple:

• It is located barely 9 kilometres from Dungarpur is Bhuvaneshwar, famous for a Shiva temple which is perched on a mountain top.
• The temple is built around a naturally formed Shivaling. Tourists can also visit an ancient monastery located atop the mountain.

Surpur Temple:

• This ancient shrine is located on the banks of the Gangdi River about 3 kilometres from Dungarpur.
• The area around the temple also houses other attractions such as Bhulbhulaiya, Madhavrai Temple, Hathiyon Ki Agad and several inscriptions.

Vijay Rajrajeshwer Temple:

• The Vijay Rajrajeshwer Temple is located along the banks of the GaibSagar Lake.
• The temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva and his consort, Goddess Parvati, displays the fine architecture of its times.
• The construction of the temple was ordered by Maharawal Vijay Singh and was completed in 1923, during the reign of Maharawal Lakshman Singh.

Shrinathji Temple:

• MaharawalPunjraj built this temple in the year 1623. The idols of Shri Radhikaji and GoverdhanNathji are the main attractions.
• The complex also houses several shrines dedicated to Shri BankeBihariji and Shri Ramchandraji.

Goodh Mandap:

• Goodh Mandap is a three-storied hall meant for the common use of three temples located in its vicinity.
• It is supported by 64 legs and 12 pillars, this hall is a marvel to behold.

Nagfanji:

• Nagfanji is renowned for its Jain shrines and not only does it attract devotees from Dungarpur but also tourists who travel from far to see the temple.
• The temple houses statues of Devi Padmawati, NagfanjiParshwanatha and Dharnendra.The Nagfanji Shivalaya,which is located close to this temple, is also a tourist attraction.

Deo Somnath Temple:

• On the banks of Som river, there is an old and beautiful Shiva temple called Deo Somnath built in the 12th century.
• Built of white stone, the temple has imposing turrets. Though there is a perfect adaptation of parts in the masonry, yet it gives the impression that individual stones are crumbling.
• The temple has 3 exits, one each in the east, the north and the south. The entrance gates are two storied.
• The entrance gates are two storied.The temple has 3 exits, one each in the east, the north and the south.
• The idol of the deity is in a chamber, eight steps below and the entrance is from the Sabha Mandap.
• There are several inscription by pilgrims and the oldest belongs to 1493 A.D. Several warriors were cremated near the temple and memorials have been raised in their honour.

Mazhar- e- Fakhri:

• Mazhar e Fakhri is a religious place mainly for Dawoodi Bohra people. But other caste people also visit this place for peace of mind.
• This beautiful and spiritual place is the mausoleum of Syedi Fakhruddin Shaheed ( Babjee Maula ) ...most beloved and respected Saint of Dawoodi Bohra Community ( A sect of Shiya Ismaili, Fatimid, mustaali Muslims).

FAIRS & FESTIVALS OF DUNGARPUR  

• BANESHWAR FAIR

Baneshwar Fair is very popular with the tribals of the region and is primarily a religious one. This fair is held in Dungarpur in the month of  January-February  for one day.The rituals are simple and the occasion is celebrated by Bhils tribals.. The fair has been created by merging two fairs. The Bhils worship Baneshwar Mahadev and Mavji in the fair. From Rajasthan, the tribals come from places such as Banswara, Udaipur, and Dungarpur. The Bhils sing their folk songs. Everyone is invited to participate in the song and dance routine. There are even magic shows held that enthrall the audience with simple tricks. On this occasion, the priest of the temple offers puja 5 times a day and devotees offer wheat flour, jaggery, ghee, salt, cash and other essential commodities to the Shiva Linga. Aarti during the morning and evening are the main attractions of this fair.

For more Information, kindly visit :- http://www.tourism.rajasthan.gov.in/fairs-and-festivals.html