BANSWARA (City of Hundred Islands)

General information:
Founded by      :  Maharawal Jagmal Singh
Famous as         :  City of hundred Islands
Location            :  North western India, Southern part of the                                   state -South to Jaipur, about 527 Km from                                   Jaipur and 827 Km from Delhi
                                  About 170km from Delhi
Language          :  Hindi and Rajasthani
Spoken
Weather             :  Summer -about 42°C - 25°C,
                                 Winter- about 22° C - 0°C,
                                 Rainy Season – very humid (July – Mid
                                 September)
Clothing             :  Summer – Light cotton clothes,
                                 Winter – Woolens

Best Season       :  September - March
to Visit

Routes:
By air                      :  Nearest Airport - Udaipur( about 160 Km)
By Train                :  Nearest railhead Ratlam Junction (about 80Km)
By road                  :  Direct road connection with Jaipur, Ratlam,                                      Dungarpur and Dohad
Visit:
Places to see:
        Shri Raj Mandir      –  Royal Palace
        Anand Sagar Lake –  An artificial lake also known as Bai Talab,                                                  a Couple of holy tree 'KalpVriksha' is that
                                                 present here is famous as the trees                                                  that fulfill the desire of the visitors.
        Dialab Lake             –  beautiful Lake with Lotus flowers
        Badal Mahal            -  A summer residence of former rulers, on
                                                the embankment of Dialab Lake.

        Abdulla Pir               -  A shrine of Bohara Muslim Saint, Abdul
                                                Rasul. An annual Muslim Fair is held                                                 here at the time of Urs.
        Madareshwar          -  Lord Shiva temple inside a natural cave of                                                  high hills.
        Mahi Dam                 -  A part of Mahi Bajaj Sagar Project
        Kagdi pickup           - Beautiful fountain garden.
        Weir
        Ram Kund                -  a deep cave under the hills. It is said that                                                   Lord Rama lived here Lord Rama                                                   during his exile period.
        Bhim Kund               -   It’s said that Pandavas lived here during
                                                 their exile.
        Sitamata Wildlife   -  includes large variety of animals,         Sanctuary                    reptiles and fish.

Excursion:
       Talwara                       -  Religious site with Temples of Sun God,                                                    Lord Amaliya Ganesh, Laxmi                                                   Narayan, Jain temple of Sambharnath
       Tripura Sundari       -  One of the Shakti Peeth of Hindus and
                                                  dedicated to Goddess Tripura
                                                  Sundari or Turtia Mata.
       Paraheada                  -  Shiv temple of 12th century
        Cheench                     -  Brahma Temple having black stone statue                                                    of the deity.
        Arthuna                     -  Complex of ancient temples built in 11th                                                    and 12th century

Shopping:

        Famous articles              -  Tribal Jewelry, Mojaries
        Shopping Place                -  Main market


Fairs and Festivals:
        Baneshawar Fair      -  Biggest tribal fair held at Baneshawar (60                                                     km) on the confluence of River                                                     Mahi, Som and Jhakham.

        Ghodi Ranchodji      -  Held on the bank of river Mahi
        Fair

        Ghotia Amba Fair    -  Five days fair held at Ghotia Ambe Dham                                                     Temple.

        Mangarh Fair             -  Important tribal fair to pay tribute to                                                     Govind Guru, Founder of                                                    Samp Sabha.
        Aamligyaras               -  Held at Ghodi Ranchod, Bhim Kund                                                     etc.Bhills attend it armed with bows,                                                     arrows and swords.

Accomodation:

                                                Surya Palace Hotel
                                                Raj Hotel
                                                Hotel Ashoka Palace
                                                Hotel Keshav
                                                Hotel Palaza

Banswara is also known as ‘City of Hundred Islands’ as many of the islands are present in the Mahi river. The name is derived from bans means bamboo shoots as bamboos were used to grow in abundance here in earlier times. The region is also famous for deep jungles that are inhabited by Panther and for rich flora and fauna. The slopes of Aravalli hills found here are the home to many plants as well as wild animals. Banswara is one of the best examples of Rajput architecture.