Travel 2 Rajasthan, Rajasthan Tour, Rajasthan Tourism, Rajasthan India Travel

Vibrant colors, cordial warmth and a rich tradition - if that sums up Rajasthan, you would find a miniature of Rajasthan in Barmer. Located close to the land where the Great Indian Desert starts, the sandy terrain of Barmer is a small town, but a lively one.

Barmer district is part of the Great Indian Desert or Thar Desert. Like all other districts in the desert region, Barmer is known for its folk music and dance. The Bhopas (priest singers) are found in Barmer, who compose music in honour of the deities of the region and its war heroes. The other folk musicians come from a community called the Muslim Dholis (drummers) for most of whom this is the only means of livelihood. Langas and Manganiars are the some of these communities.

Barmer is famous for its carved wooden furniture and hand block printing industry. This area is best visited to gain an insight into the desert life and admire the decorative skills of the simple village folk. The villagers have some of the most beautiful mud huts that are decorated with delicate folk motifs.

Cattle fair is a popular fair visited by thousands of tourists every year. The temples of the town are famous pilgrimage spots. A visit to barmer is incomplete without a trip to the famous Kiradu Temple, Khed Temple, Nakoda Temple, Viratramata Temple, Jogmaya Temple and Balark Temple.

The fort of Barmer is the site of historic episodes and exudes an aura of tradition and heritage.

People speak mostly Rajasthani Language, while Hindi is the official language here. English language also run here as an extra language and to help the tourists.

Places of Attraction:

Jasol
Once a principal state of Mallani, this ancient village has got its name from the descendants of a Rathore sub-clan. A Jain temple and a Hindu temple are worth visiting. The Hindu temple is ornamented with fine sculptures, which were brought from a Jain temple of Lord Mahavir.

Juna Barmer
Perched on a rocky hill, the town has ruins of an old fort. Of interest are a temple dedicated to Balark (the Sun) and the ancient ruins of Juna Barmer. The three Jain temples, an incription of 1295 AD and a maassive pillar in the hall of the largest temple of Maharaja Kula Sri Samanta Sinha Deva, a ruler of Bahadmera (now, Barmer) are also worth a visit.

Khed
Rao Siha, the founder of the Rathore clan along with his son (Asthanji) conquered Khed from the Guhil Rajputs and planted the standard of Rathores. An old Vishnu temple of Ranchhriji 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.

Kiradu
Situated on the foot of a hill near village Hathma in Barmer tehsil is Kiradu. The incription dating back to 1161 AD reveals that the place was called Kiratkoop and had once been the capital of Punwars. The ruins of five ancient temples-one dedicated to Lord Vishnu and other four dedicated to Lord Shiva are of interest to archaeologists and art lovers, alike. The biggest of these temples is the Someshwar Temple.

Mahaveer Park
Mahaveer Park is a beautifully laid out park with a tiny museum housing ancient stone carved statues.

Meva Nagar
Once called Viranipur, this 12trh century village lies on the slope of a hill called Nagar - Ki - Bhakarian, 9km away from Baltra. The village has three Jain temples. The biggest of these is the one dedicated to Nakoda Parsvanath. A Vishnu Temple is also worth visiting.

Neemari
Neemari is another picturesque garden on Chohatan route, 23 km away from Barmer. An old swimming pool is an attraction.

Safed Akhara
(Sidheswara Mahadev Temple Complex) is a tiny yet pretty garden near Barmer. Temporary accommodation and cooking facilities are available.

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.