Dungarpur

Dungarpur is a city filled with natural beauty and is located in the far south of the Indian state of Rajasthan. The city serves as the administrative headquarters of Dungarpur District, and is located 20 kilometers from the National Highway 8. Dungarpur shares its land borders with Udaipur in the north, Banswara in the east, and the borders of the neighboring state of Gujarat touch its south and west. The city has a railway line that provides connection between Udaipur and Himatnagar in Gujarat. The city enjoys a dry climate, with temperatures reaching very high in May. January is considered as the coldest month of the year.

Apart from being naturally beautiful, Dungarpur is also equipped with a marvellous historical architecture. The city has also made its special place as a result of the local sculptures. Meanwhile, Gaipsagar Lake located in the center of Dungarpur is also another major attraction. Dungarpur district exports high quality green marble and soapstone excavated across the globe. The best time to visit Dungarpur for tourists is between July and March.

History

Dungarpur has its history dated back to 1358 AD when it was founded by Rawal Veer Singh, who was the eldest son of the ruler of Mewar, Karan Singh. It is the seat of the elder branch of Sisodiyas of Udaipur, and the seat of the younger branch of the Maharana of Mewar. HH Rai-i-Rayan Maharawal Shri Lakshman Singh Bahadur was the last princely ruler of Dungarpu who was born in 1918 and died in 1989.

Population

Dungarpur has a population of around 50,000 people as per the latest census report, out of which males constitute little more than 50% of the total population and females constitute little less than 50%. The average literacy rate of Dungarpur is 76%, which is much higher than the national average of 59.5%. 83% of the males are literate, while 69% of the females are literate, as per the report.

Transport Connectivity

Dungarpur has good transportation connection and reaching here is easy and convenient. Udaipur is the nearest airport, while Ratlam is the nearest railway station. It is also very well connected with the neighbouring major cities and towns. Travellers can also easily access Dungarpur by means of road as frequent bus services are available between Udaipur and the district. Cycle rickshaws and tongas are the primary modes of transport while travelling within the district.

Tourist Attractions

Dungarpur has several major places to visit, with each place having its own history and relevance. Some of the notable places here are Government Archaeological Museum, Rokadia Ganesh Temple, Udai Bilas Palace, Sarneshwar Mandir Temple, District Library, Juna Mahal, Beneshwar Dham, Shri Adinatha Jain Swetamber Temple and Shree Samorjee Temple.
 
Apart from these attractions, Dungarpur has several other nearby places to visit, including Beneshwar, Deo Somnath, Galiakot, Baroda, Boreshwar, Jaisamand Sanctuary, Antri-Maragiya Dam, NagPhani Parshwanath and Shree Raghunathji Mandir.

Natural Resources

Dungarpur has a rich variety of teak, mahua, mango and Khajur trees, while jackal, jungle cat, Indian fox, hyena, black-faced monkey, porcupine and common mongoose add a charm to the wildlife variety. The area also has a variety of birds including partridges, peafowl, quails and cuckoos to eagles and vultures. Meanwhile, the area is also visited by various species of migratory birds during the winter season.

Fairs and Festivals

Dungarpur hosts a wide range of fairs and festivals throughout the year to attract tourists and maintain its prominent position among famous places in Rajasthan. Some of its famous events are Bhedmata Fair, Ghotia-Amba Fair, Amit Egyaras, Vitthaldeo Fair, Deevo, Purnima Garba, Vagad Festival, Baneshwar Fair, Urs Mubarak and Stone throwing Holi.\

Juna Mahal

Juna Mahal, also known as Bada Mahal or Purana Mahal, is located in Dungarpur on the foothills of Dhanmata hillock. Its existence dates back to 700 years ago and it is famous for its breathtaking paintings and splendid construction style. The palace is the epicenter of all the activities happening in Dungarpur. The palace has a two storey basement and its overall height is seven storeys, which are connected through a single staircase that gives its impression as a single unit. The main entrance of the palace is Rampol. Coupled with the Tripolia Gate, both of them have a great beauty.

Juna Mahal is a major attraction among tourists visiting the state as a result of its mesmerizing interiors and the mature Rajput style of architecture. The palace has several major characteristics such as usage of local Parewa stone, beautiful window panes with detailed hand work, attractive arches, articulate stone pillars, glass and wall paintings and articulate colour paintings. Additionally, the carved windows and octagonal or square pillars in the palace are the perfect examples of Hindu temple architecture.

Related Image

Best Time To Visit Rajasthan 1
Best Time To Visit Rajasthan 2
Best Time To Visit Rajasthan 1
Best Time To Visit Rajasthan 2
Best Time To Visit Rajasthan 1
Best Time To Visit Rajasthan 2

Related Topics

Fairs & Festivals

Rajasthan is renowned for its royalty as it is a land of magnificent Mahajrajas.The culture, history and art & architecture....

Cities and Destinations

Rajasthan is a major tourist destination spot in India which attracts both international as well as domestic tourists. Raj ....

About Rajasthan

In terms of area, Rajasthan is one of the largest ...

Monuments

A lot of monuments are created by one of ...