a good Travelogue on ancient Hanumanji temple
May 23 2007 | Views 752 |
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Tags: custom car-purchase tourists casual visitors pilgrims Mahabharat Bheemdev Hanumaanji POLE Rajasthan Govt Pandavas
Tags: custom car-purchase tourists casual visitors pilgrims Mahabharat Bheemdev Hanumaanji POLE Rajasthan Govt Pandavas
Pandupole is really a wondrous place with almost everything to please a traveler. It is incredible India with lots in store for a tourist. Travel to Pandupole in Rajasthan can be a good visiting area where you will get wildlife and ethnic forts all at a glance. Pandupole has an ancient mythical connotation attached to it. Pandupole was the ancient site where the strongest among the Pandavas, Bhima, vanquished the giant demon Hidimb and in return for this victory earned the hand of his sister, Hidimba.
The delightful sight of Pandupole or Pandu gate where a cascading spring emerges from hard and compact rocks creates best impression on the tourists. Legend has it that the Pandava brother took refuge here during their exile. The main path will take you first to Pandupole which is not only a beautiful spot picturesque 35-ft waterfall is another attraction here and next to the fall is a charming little Hanuman temple. This area is abundant in langurs, peafowl, spurfowl, and ubiquitous tree pies. On the way to Pandupole you will pass through Karnakabas Lake, Brahmnath, Kalighati Chauki and Bhaironghati.
The delightful sight of Pandupole or Pandu gate where a cascading spring emerges from hard and compact rocks creates best impression on the tourists. Legend has it that the Pandava brother took refuge here during their exile. The main path will take you first to Pandupole which is not only a beautiful spot picturesque 35-ft waterfall is another attraction here and next to the fall is a charming little Hanuman temple. This area is abundant in langurs, peafowl, spurfowl, and ubiquitous tree pies. On the way to Pandupole you will pass through Karnakabas Lake, Brahmnath, Kalighati Chauki and Bhaironghati.
Now curiosity arises why the name PANDU-POLE Hanumanji temple ?
It's called PANDU-POLE Hanumanji temple becausePandavas established this temple. According to epic Mahabharata , when Pandavas's 12 year period of exile was about to expire and Pandavas did not have an escape route , Bheemdev made a hole in the hillock( called POLE in local dialect ) and became egoistic & proud of his feat . To show him the real power , Lord Hanumaanji became a huge-sized monkey and blocked his way . When Bheemdev could not lift Hanumaanji's even tail ,Lord Hanumaanji disclosed Himself and asked Bheemdev to be humble always . This temple is in that memory , therefore and stated to be quite ancient ( more than 5400 years old ) as belonging to Lord Krishna or Gita dialogue or Mahabharata era !
To reach , PANDU-POLE Hanumanji temple , one has to reach Rajasthan 's district Alwar which is 160km south of Delhi Airport or 150 km south of Jaipur Airport , the Capital ofRajasthan.Though rail -connection is also there , bus or car route is less time-consuming and convenient. Alwar, among the Rajput principalities was the closest to imperial Delhi. People of this region were daring adventurers. They did not submit to alien rule; they rebelled. In 1771 A.D. , Pratap Singh , a Kachhawaha Rajput belonging to the same clan as the one which ruled Jaipur won Alwar from Mughals and founded a principality of his own. A historic and eminent fort guards its highest hill and is reminiscent of a regal way of life.Alwar is surrounded by the Aravali Hills and has a unique recognition because of Sariska Van Abhyaranya , Bala-Quila and Silishek etc.!
Temple here draws pilgrims round the year, though it is most popular during a September fair.
I would rather classify them as under :----
1) some are tourists --those who come to see Rajasthan or Alwar or Sariska Tiger Reserve happen to visit PANDU-POLE Hanumanji temple as it's just on the way . For accommodation, ideal places are : Tiger Den (RTDC); Hotel Lake Palace (RTDC), Siliserh; Sariska Palace Hotel (Heritage Hotel); Forest Rest House.
Alwar contains many interesting and historical monuments. The city has a beautiful lake and a picturesque valley. The Sariskasanctuary is located in the Aravalli Hills only a few kilometers away from Alwar. The sanctuary, which is aTiger Project reserve, also boasts of many other species, including rare birds and plants. The military cantonment of Itarana lies on the outskirts of Alwar. Milkcake (a kind of sweet) made in Alwar is not only very famous in India but is also exported from the country. Main tourist attractions are :----
- Vijay Mandir Palace (10km)
- Jaisamand Lake (6Km)
- Siliserh Lake and palace( 13km)
- Viratnagar (66km)
- Sariska(42km)
- Sariska Palace
- Hope Circus (Middle place of the old city)
The picturesque Siliserh Lake lies along the edge of the Sariska Tiger Reserve and a charming hunting lodge overlooking marvellous place for visitors to stay. The dry Herds of sambar, chital, nilgai and sounders of wild boar - the prey population for predators like the tiger and leopard, roam the 765.80 sq. km. Reserve. Other carnivores include the hyena, jungle cat, and caracal. Interestingly enough, the dhole or wild dog has been sighted in the Park only in the last few years. The Park has hides carefully located near the water holes. These afford fine opportunities for viewing and photographing wildlife. Splendid ruins scattered in the vicinity of Sariska give it an added interest. The Neelkanth temples (6th-l3th century AD) are just 32 km. from the Park and the historic Kankwari Fort inside the Reserve, is where the Emperor Aurangzeb once imprisoned his brother Dara Shikoh. A splendid palace complex built in 1902, with a 'French' pavilion and swimming pool, is now a hotel.
(2) Hanumanji devotees generally come on Tuesdays / Saturdaysso Rajasthan Govt does not charge vehicle fee (Rs 815 /-) on these days . On all other days , this is the major source of income from Tourists for State Govt.
However , toll-tax byHaryana Govt ( Rs 55/- per car at Dhunda-hera ) andRs 40/-by Rajasthan Govt ( near Bhiwadi ) per vehicle is a daily feature whether it's Tuesday orSaturday. But what irks you most is checking by Rajasthan Govt of Rs 40/- after every 20 km i.e. 4 times till route to Alwar so Car never picks up the speed really . In addition to it , there are numerous speed-brakers on the road ( including many put up by local villagers themselves ) which are justnot needed , have unnecessary big heights so your car-shockers really get a shock. In India, every tourist is just a source of toll-tax or extra-income , his/ her comfort nobody cares. Theyfeelwe ( tourists ) have lot of money and time so any liberty can be taken. Foreign-tourists are exploited most. If tourism has to develop professionally in India , this approach must change.Central Minister of Indian tourism must take into confidence all State Governments on this issue.
The third category of visitors and months to avoid to PANDU-POLE Hanumanji temple I shalldiscuss in next article :-part 2 of Travelogue on ancient Hanumanji temple
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