Tourist Attraction of Barmer
Perched on a rocky hill, the town has ruins of an old fort. places 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 AD and a massive pillar in the hall of the largest temple of Maharaja Kula Sri Samanta Sinha Deva, a ruler of Bahadmera (Barmer) are also worth a visit.
Famous Fort Siwana is located on a hilltop. The fort was built by a famous Rajput ruler Raja Bhojs son Veernarayan, who at one step organized much of Barmer and had close ties with the Solanki family of Gujarat.The fort is not in the best of condition now however it still houses a beautiful pond. The fort fell to forces of Alauddin Khilji in 1308. When Alauddin Khilji, the Sultan of Delhi, overwhelmed the fort the people controlled by Sutal Deo mounted a heroic defence.
To honour this ancient event an annual fair called the Kalyan Singh Ka Mela is quiet held within the areas of the fort in the month of Shravan (July-Aug). Later in the period (1318-20) Luntiga Chauhan captured the fort of Siwana and defeated its Muslim garrison, no Sultan of Delhi tried to recover this fort.Siwana is also famous for mines producing fine quality of granite.
Jain Temple in Barmer is established from an engraving stamped on a stone pillar situated right nearby to the temple. On the hilltop adjoining is an old fort which covers an area of about 15 sq km. The fort is bounded by a series of hills, contiguous to which lies a small lake. Between the mountain peaks is a small island known as Juna Barmer which houses a small sound. At one time Juna was pretty compactly populated, but most of its residents migrated from the area. It is believed that the emigres from Juna established the town of Barmer.
About 12 km north of Shiv is a small community by the name of Devka, also located on the Jaisalmer-Barmer road. Well-known in the 12th or the 13th century the major tourist spot in this little village is the Vishnu Temple, famous for its temple style. Nearby lie two more temples in a very decrepit state. However, still remaining in these temples is attractively carved images of Lord Ganesh (the elephant god and Shivas son) on stone.
Since this Temple is situated on the middle of dense forest and large mountains natural scenery is very beautiful. Bhagwan Shri Parashwanathji , Shyamwarna, Padmasanasth, Height 58 cm.Oldest name for this temple is Veerampur.This Temple was built by Sri Sthulibhadraswamyji. 135 km from Barmer Situated about 9 km to the west of the Jodhpur-Barmer junction (which is called Balotara), Nakoda is a well-known pilgrim centre for the Jain community. Also called Meva Nagar, the town was built in the 12th or the 13th century on the slope of a hill called Nagar Ki Bhakarian. Jain Temples – There are three Jain Temples in the town, the biggest and most impressive of which is the Parsvanath Temple dedicated to one of the Jain Tirthankaras (Prophets). Every year on the tenth day of the month of Paush (Dec-Jan according to the Gregorian calendar), which is Parsvanath’s birthday, a huge fair is organised by the townsfolk. The other two Jain temples in the area are the Adinath Temple and the Shantinath Temple which are known for its beautiful construction.Brahma Mandir Apart from Pushkar in Rajasthan, the only other Brahma temple in the world is located at Nakoda. Strange as it may seem for a long time Pushkar housed the only temple in the universe to the god whom the Hindus consider to be the Creator of the universe. This was because Brahma’s wife Savitri had cursed him when he omitted to take her to a yagna (holy sacrifice) at Pushkar. She predicted that no one would worship him apart from at Pushkar (see Pushkar for details). Till the 20th century the only place where you could find a Brahma temple was at Pushkar in Rajasthan. This was when a local saint of Barmer called Khetarmaji, a devout disciple of Brahma, decided to build another temple in his honour. The foundation of the temple was laid on the 6th of May 1961 at exactly 12 noon, and it was completed exactly 23 years later in 1984 on exactly the same date. But here follows the truly ironic part. The very next day (7th May), Saint Khetarmaji breathed his last exactly at 12 noon, and his cenotaph lies adjacent to the temple. Apparently the curse of Savitri upon Brahma lives on, but Nakoda did manage to get a beautiful temple dedicated to the Creator in the process.
Khed :- Rao Siha, the founder of the Rathore clan alongwith 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 of Lard 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 Balotra. The village has three Jain temples. The biggest of these is one dedicated to Nakoda Parsvanath. A Vishnu temple is also worth visiting.
Balotra & Kanana :- Close to Kanana, the venue for the Sheetal Saptmi Mela, lies the small town of Balotra. It is an important centre of printing and dying.
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.