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