Tourist Destinations of Rajasthan

Barmer

All About This Place Barmer

Barmer is a centre for woodcarving, carpets, embroidery, block printing and other handicrafts, and its products are famous throughout Rajasthan.

There are two annual fairs in Barmer : the Barmer Thar Festival in early March and the Barmer Cattle Fair [held at nearby Tilwara] in Marcch/April.

About Barmer
A Tiny yet lively town in sun-drenched sands , Barmer is a miniature Rajasthan with all its colour , warmth and tradition . According to history , the 13th century founder of the district , Bahaba Rao ( Populary known as Bar Rao) gave the town its name - Barmer , ie the hill fort fo Bar .
Once called Mallani ( 12th Century A.D ) the present Barmer District Formed in 1949 upon the merger of Jodhpur state in the United states of Great Rajasthan , is a cluster of ancient paraganas - Mallani shiv ,Pachpadra ,Silwana and Chotana area .

Although a barren land with harsh climate and rough terrain ,Barmer is known for its rich crafts , dances and music .Once on the ancient camel trade route , the town is now the center for wood carving , pottery , carpets ,intricate embroidery work , block printed fabrics and multi -hued traditional costumes . Especially famous are the geometric ajrak prints in dark shades of red and blue , ideal for protection against the sun .
The most interesting part of a trip to Barmer is the journey through rural Rajasthan .The Small villages with mud -walled houses decorated with delicate folk motifs and colourfully attired people on the way offer a fascinating sight . Every year in March , the desert town is at its colourful best during the exuberant Barmer festival .The Festival is the best time to plan a visit to Barmer .

PRIME SITE :

Barmer : Perched on a rocky hill , the town has ruins of an old fort .Of interest are a temple dedicated to Balark ( the sun ) and the ancient ruins of Juna Barmer . the three Jain Temples , an inscription of 1295 A.D and a massive piller in the hall of the largest temple of Maharaja Kula Sri Samanta Deva , aruler of Bahadmera ( now Barmer) are also worth a visit.

Kiradu : situated on the foot of a hill near village Hathma in Barmer tehsil is Kiradu . The inscription dating back to 1161 A.D reveals that place was called Kiratkoop and had once been the capital of Punwars . The ruins of five ancient temples - one dedicated to Lord Vishnu and other four deicated to Lord Shiva-are of interest to archaeologists and are lovers , alike .the biggest of these temples is the Someshwar temple .

Khed : Rao Siha the founder of the Rathore Clan along with his son (Asthanji ) conquered Khed from the Guhil Rajputs and planted the standard of the Rathores . An old Vishnu temple of Ranchhrji is surrounded by a crumbling wall and an image of Garuda ( the eagle ) at the gate guards the complex .

Other temples nearby include temples of Brahma , Bhairav , Mahadev and a Jain temple .

Jasol : Once a principal state of Mallani , this ancient villages has got its name from the descendants of Rathore sub-clan . A Jain temple and a hindu temple are worth visiting The Hindu temple is ornamented with fine sculptures which were brought from a Jain temple of Lord Mahaveer .

Meva Nagar : Once called Viranipur , this 12th century village lies on the slope of a hill called Nagar-Ki-Bhakarian ,9 km away from Baletra . The Village has three Jain Temples .The Biggest of these is the one dedicated to Nakoda Parsvanath . A Vishnu temple is also worth visiting.

FAIRS & FESTIVALS:

Tilwara Cattle Fair (March - April): A major cattle fair lasting a fortnight, held in village Tilwara.

Nakoda Parasvanath (December - January): The festival held in Mevanagar village commemorating the birth anniversary of Parasvanath.

Veeratara Mela: Held at Veertara (12 km from village Chohatan), the fair venerated goddess Vakaldevi and is held thrice a year in the month of Chaitra, Bhadrapada & Magha.

Khed Fair (August - September): A big religious fair held on Purnima (full moon) in village Khed.

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

The fair is believed to have originated from transactions which took place among admires of Rawal Mallinath, a local hero, who used to travel to Tilwara on well-bred animals to meet him. A shrine dedicated to Mallinathji is located here and people make offerings of batashas and laddoos. When their wishes are fulfilled, they offer miniature horses at the shrine. Traders from Mathura, Agra and Aligarh bring horses made of wood, brass and bronze to sell at the fair. On the opening day of the fair, the flag of Rawal Mallinathji is hoisted to the accompaniment of songs extolling his greatness.

Bullock, camel and horse races are organized at the fair and thoroughbred animals compete against each other on the dry river bed. The prize-winning animals sport white badges on theirs heads and command high prices at the fair. Apart from shops selling normal utility items and agricultural implements, there is a separate market for fodder at the fair.

SHOPPING:
A veritable shopper's paradise, Barmer is treasure trove of vibrantly coloured embroidery with excellent mirror work. Also famous are beautifully embroidered fabrics and pouches often patterned with tiny mirrors. Traditional rugs, blankets, shawls, carpets, "Pattius" Dari in typical Barmer colours and weave are speciality of the district. The shopping spots include the tiny shops along the narrow lanes of the colourful and lively Sadar Bazar.

Other Information
The town is situated at above 25 deg. 45 North latitude and 71 deg. 23 east longitude on the Luni Munabao section of the Northern Rly. It is at a distance of 208 Kilometre from Jodhpur city by Train and 224 Km. by road. It is located on the side of a rocky hill which has the remains of an old fort (Garh) ruins on its summit. There is a temple dedicated to Balark (The Sun). To the Northwest of the town are the ruins of Juna or Juna Barmer and to the south are the remains of three Jain temples. There is an inscription of 1,295 AD and one of the pillars of the hall of the largest temple mentioning a Maharajakula Sri Samanta Sinha Deva ruling at 'Bahadmera'.

One of the merger of Jodhpur state in the united States of Great Rajasthan in the year 1949, a separate district of Barmer was formed which included the former paraganas of Mailani (Now called Barmer), Sheo, Pachpadra and Siwana. The Chohatan area (transferred from Sanchore tehsil of Jalore district) of the fifth paragana of Sanchore.

The district Barmer derives its name from the head quarter town, which is said to have been founded in the 13th century by Bahada Rao (Also called Bar Rao) and named after him 'Bahada-mer' or Barmer i.e. the hill fort of 'Bar'.