KUNCHAMAN
FORT
About Kunchaman
Earlier
famous as the Kuchaman Fort, the place has now been restored
into a heritage hotel. It lies in western Rajasthan's Nagaur
district and has quite a significant history. This fort cum
resort is easily accessible from Jaipur. This fort is of a
special significance, as it has as yet remained unconquered
by either the Marathas or the Mughals. The place is exquisitely
placed on the hill ranges.
A steep path leads to the gateways and the place can be accessed
by foot, on elephant or horseback or in the conventional vehicles.
This particular forest-resort promoted by Ranjit
Singh Rathore. This deserted monument was once famous
for the fresco paintings. The resort now houses samples of
the Kunchamani miniatures recreated by the artists. The Kunchamani
folk artists and crafts persons have stalls in the Meena
Bazaar, within the fort complex, selling exquisitely
made handicrafts.
The fort was built in 760 A.D. by the Gurjar Pratihara
dynasty, when the Chauhans became the new rulers. The
fort is a high structure with extensive ramparts, bastions
and gates with multiple defence systems. It also houses several
underground tanks, secret escapes and hideouts and dungeons.
There is a legendary spot in the fort reserved for the women
to commit the ritual suicide termed ‘jauhar’. It has
now been turned into a swimming pool, heated during the winters.
According to the ancient Rajasthan architecture, lime has
been used since it helps in keeping the building cool and
lasts for years. It looks like marble when it is polished.
The fort also houses a museum of weapons and armour.
A major part of the collection is in gold or silver with floral
and geometrical motifs.
The fort plays abode to a number of historic areas, temples
and mansions. The Meera Mahal in the fort portrays
the life of Meera Bai in the form of miniature paintings.
The palace was built by the ruler of the fort, Raja Ranjit
Singh, her nephew, in 1832. He later built a temple to commemorate
the masses, which had sacrificed their lives in battles. The
hall of the palace houses the beautiful miniature paintings,
murals and gilded work. The ceiling displays paintings of
the entire lineage of rulers.
There is an underground pool in the fort with arches and galleries,
built by Raja Surajmal, specifically for the ladies of zenana.
The Sheesh Mahal, also housed in the fort, has fabulous
glass inlays studded in gold work. The courtyard has a chessboard
on the floor. A little ahead is the Sunehri Burjor golden
palace, which is exclusively painted in gold paint.
The temples inside the fort are dedicated to several Gods
and Goddesses, the Kali, Shiva and Natwarlalji. Nearby the
fort are the Sambar Lake Bird Sanctuary and Taal
Chapar. Here, one can easily spot the blackbuck. The Nagaur
cattle fair and the Pushkar Mela are celebrated
religiously in this region every year.
How to get there
You can get there from Delhi by the Shatabdi Express to Ajmer,
which is at a distance of 105 km away. The nearest airport
is Jaipur, 145 km away.
For further information and bookings
contact New Delhi. Tel:011-6172346,6188862,
Fax: 6188861.
Email: sariska@del2.vsnl.net.in
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