|
Located in the north western
Indian state of Rajasthan,
Barmer district is well-known for its hand block
printing and carved wooden furniture. The headquarters
of the district is Barmer town. The major towns in the
district are Chohatan, Baytu, Guda Malani, Shiv, Balotra
and Siwana.
The town of Barmer is 224
kilometers from Jodhpur
via Balotra and 198 kilometers via Panchpadra. The city
of Jaisalmer is
157 kilometers from here while
Jaipur is 588
kilometers away. The city of
Ahmedabad is 485
kilometers from Barmer.
Barmer district is situated
in the Thar Desert or the Great Indian Desert. The
district is well-known for its dance and folk music. One
can find the Bhopas or priest singers here. They are
known for their music composition honoring war heroes
and the deities of the region. Another type of folk
musicians, the Muslim Dholis or drummers are also famous
here.
The population of the
district is around 1963758, according to 2001 census.
Males constitute 10, 35,813 of the population while
females comprise 9, 27,945 residents. The district is
divided into 8 tehsils, 4 blocks and 1999 villages.
There
are a number of attractions in Barmer district like
Asotra, Batada Kua, Brahma Temple, Jain Temple, Jogmaya
Temple, Mahabar Dunes, Surya Mandir Temple, Kher Temple,
Viratra Mata Mandir, Kiradu, Nakoda, Nimbari, Garib,
Pipa Mandir and Bhimgoda.
One can see mud huts with beautiful folk motif
decorations. The people wear colorful costumes and there
are a number of shops selling traditional handicrafts.
Barmer festival is held every year in the month of March
which is a major tourist attraction of the district. |
|
The plinth has moldings
and jadyakumbha or inverted cymarecta. The figurative
bands or the tharas featuring elephants, horses and
human beings are notable. The jangha or the middle
portion of the wall is the rupadhara or figurative band,
which is placed below the niche. The niche is of bigger
size on the bhadra or the cardinal facet to place a
bigger image. The multi-turreted spire is no more. The
half annulets below the vases have dainty foliage
patterns. The toranas or decorated arches span over the
spaces between the pillars are no more. The decoration
on the exterior of the mandapa is equally elegant and
varied. The notable are the scenes of combat and palace
life, kaudakapalik rites and scenes from the Ramayana
and from everyday life.
There
are other three smaller Shiva temples. Architecturally
they are not so beautiful but some sculptural depictions
of ritual eroticism, temple building, Bhishma Pitamah
lying on a couch of arrows and scenes from daily life,
such as a group of acrobats are worth noticing.
The
Kiradu group of temple has remained mostly unknown and
underestimated because of its location. A visit to
Kiradu is a must for keen students of temple
architecture.
|
|
Ancient
Temple of Sree Vakrangi Mata (VankalMa), the KulDevi of
Nandwana community, near Chohtan in Barmer.
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. It is famous
for Jagdambe ma Mandir(temple).
Vankal
Devi or Viratra Devi, is Community Godess (Kuldevi) of
Nandwanas and Bhopa community of Rajasthan. The
beautiful temple is located in the dessert landscape of
Village - Dhok thehsil - Chohtan, District -
Barmer(Rajasthan). Stituated in the SW Rajasthan the
Chohtan is well connected by roads from District
headquater. Barmer the second largest desert district of
Rajasthan is well connected from major cities of India.
Constructed by carving out from White Marble blocks the
Temple itself is a place to admire. The other temple
which is situated at hill top can be visited after
climbing nearly 1400 stairs. This temple has been
renovated in recent. Reaching here one can take the
great view of dessert and INDO-PAK border particularly
in evening. |
