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Unveiling the Beauty of Kutch Architecture: A Look at Rao Lakha's Chhatri
Nov 01, 2024 | Heritage Places India Unveiling the Beauty of Kutch Architecture: A Look at Rao Lakha's Chhatri

Chhatardi Bhuj is also known as Royal Chhatris or Cenotaphs. Chhatardi is a collection of monuments dedicated to deceased rulers of the Jadeja Rajput Dynasty of Kutch. Chhatardi is located in Bhuj  near Hamirsar lake. At Chhatardi many monuments are broken and ruined due to earthquake . But Raydhanji , Desarji and Lakhpatji  monuments are still quit intact. The place is very quite and most people may not visit Chhatardi during Kutch Tour. There is a lot of open area around Chhatardi so place is quite silent  and peacefull during morning and evening. I suggest visit Chhatardi during early morning or evening because at afternoon its too hot. 


Facts and information about Chhatardi :

Architecture : The Cenotaphs of Chhatardi built by red sandstone. The most of the structure of Chhatardi is the Rao Lakha Chhatri and it was designed by Ram Sing Malam. It has a polygonal shape with balcony. It has blue dome  which is influenced by Turkish Architecture. It has two galleries with two entrances.

History : Chhatardi was constructed in 18th century by Jadeja ruler Rao Lakhpatji.  Chhatardis are blend of Rajputana and Mughal architectural style. It was carved out of red Sandstone.  The Rao Lakha Chhatri are designed by Ram sing Malam. A stone Slab near Rao Lakha Chhatri suggest that his 15 wives committed Sati ( Self immolation ) on his funeral. There are lots of figures and images on the pillar.

Current Condition of Chhatardi : The Chhatardi was damaged in 2001 earthquake in Gujarat. The restoration process is ongoing now. Many pillars and structures are damaged and fall down. 

Visiting Chhatardi is worth or not ? :  Well Chhatardi is a historical place so only who is interested in a historical places like it. The place where Chhatardi located is very peaceful and quite. I like place because i like to know about history and old ruler king activities. I like most of old architecture , constructions, designs, sandstone design, carving and domes are main attractions. So answer is Yes it is worth to visit Chhatardi during sunrise or sunset timings.


Chhatardi Timing to Visit :  Chhatardi is open from sunrise to sunset full day. There is no entry ticket for Chhatardi visit. There are not much restriction and also there is no guide facilities. The caretakers can guide you about the Chhatardi and also tell the history about it.  My suggestion is to make some restriction around the main buildings and pillars so people can care about our historical place. 

Best Time To Visit Chhatardi :  Best time to visit Chhatardi is early morning and at evening. During sunrise and sunset the beauty of Chhatardi is at another level. You can take some photos with sunrise or sunset with old architecture pillars make your image beautiful. Also tourist visit Bhuj and Kutch in the winter during November to February so plan your trip with inclusion of Chhatardi.



Location :  Chhatardi is located at southwest Hamirsar lake. It is around 4-5 km from Bhuj Railway station. Also near to Bhuj Airport around 5 km. If you travel from International Airport then Ahmedabad airport is the nearest international Airport. From Ahmedabad it is 350 km approx. and take 7-8 hours drive by car. Also two daily express train frequency from Bhuj to Ahmedabad named Bhuj Express and Kutch Express 

Nearest Places From Chhatardi  Around 5-7 km radius  :  In Bhuj there are some good places to visit in day time like Prag Mahal, Aaina Mahal, Kutch Museum, Swaminarayan Temple, Bhujio Dungar , Vande mataram Memorial, Smritivan Earthquake museum, Harmirsar Lake etc 

Nearest Places from Bhuj  : White Desert, Rann of Kutch, Road To Heaven, Dholavira, Kadiya Dhro, Mandvi beach, Vijay Vilas Palace etc. are the major attraction of Kutch and Bhuj. 


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The Hidden Jewel of Mandvi: Vijay Vilas Palace
Apr 17, 2024 | Heritage Places India The Hidden Jewel of Mandvi: Vijay Vilas Palace

Vijay vilas palace is located in Kutch, Gujarat near Mandvi beach. Vijay Vilas Palace is popular tourist destination who visited Kuch and Bhuj.The resort was built as summer resort. It was built by Maharao shri Khengarji III for his sons Yuvraj shri Vijayaraji.  The palace was built by red sandstone . It described the Rajput architecture. Vijay Vilas Palace is about 21 km from Mandvi beach. Total time for visiting vijay vilas palace is around 1-2 hours. Vijay Vilas heritage resort has own private beach. Vijay Vilas Palace is also a heritage hotel which provide A/C tented rooms with beach facing and access to private beach. you can have more details on Gujarat Tourism Vijay Vilas palace.


About Vijay Vilas Palace :

  • ·         Vijay Vilas Palace was built by Maharao Shri Khengarji III.
  • ·         Vijay Vilas palace covered total 700 acre area.
  • ·         It has central high dom on pillars and Bengal domes on sides.
  • ·         Windows are covered with colored glass and Jalis.
  • ·         The palace is in the middle of garden where marble fountain and water channel are passed.
  • ·      The Jalis, Jarokhas, Chajas, Chatris , colored glass work and stone carving made by craftsman of Jaipur,Bengal, Rajasthan and Saurashtra.
  • ·         On the top of central dome open balcony where you can view 360 of surrounding area.
  • ·      Vijay Vilas Palace has its own private beach. You can stay at palace with chargeable basis.  Now its for museum purpose also.
  • ·         In Vijay Vilas palace many bollywood movie shoots like Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Commando, Lagaan etc.
  • ·         Palace construction started in 1920 and completed in 1929.
  • ·         Inside palace you can see drawing room.




Entry Tickets for Vijay Vilas Palace Bhuj:

Entry fees for Vijay Vilas Palace is INR 20 per person. Also Camera fees extra around INR 200 and photography charges around INR 50 .

Vijay Vilas Palace Bhuj Timings :

Timings for Vijay Vilas Palace visit is morning  10 AM to 1 PM and in evening 3 PM to 6 PM.

Vijay vilas palace is closed on Thursday for visitors.


Nearest places to visit :

Mandvi Beach is the nearest place to vijay vilas palace  around 20km distance. Beach is very neat and clean and lots of water activities are done here.  It is not white sand beach but you can say its almost white sand beach.

Bhuj city is another place to visit around 65-70 km distance. In Bhuj you can also visit Aina Mahal, Chatradi, Smruti Van, Vandematram Memorial, Bhujyo Dungar etc and also local shopping too.

You can stay at Mandvi there are lots of hotels and resorts near to Mandvi beach. Or you can drive to Bhuj city where you have lots of hotel options to stay and also bhuj is main city of Kutch so you can easily go to White Rann from Bhuj, Dholavira, Road To Heaven, Kadiya Dhro etc.

 

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Dholavira: The Lost City of the Indus Valley Civilization
Jul 09, 2024 | Heritage Places India Dholavira: The Lost City of the Indus Valley Civilization

Dholavira is located in Bhachau taluka in Kutch District of Gujarat. Dholavira is archeological site and it is one of the largest Harappan site among 5 sites. You can go to Dholavira by passing Road to Heaven which is finest route both side salt water. It is also a world heritagesite of UNESCO. Dholavira is located on Tropic of Cancer. It is located on Khadir bet island in the Kutch Desert wildlife Sanctuary. It is in the Greate Rann of Kutch belonging to Indus River. The site was discovered by Shambhudan Gadhvi in 1960. After his effort site was officially discovered in 1967-1968 by archeological survey of India. Total 8 Harappan site and Dholavira is one of the largest site among them. Other major Harappan site discovered are Harappa, Ganeriwala, Mohenjo-Daro, Kalibangan, Rupnagar, Rakhigarhi and Lothal. Dholavira was important center for trade between central Asia, south Gujarat, Punjab and Sindh. The excavation was started by ASI in 1989. There were 13 field excavation between 1990 to 2005.


City Plan of Dholavira :

Dholavira city is in rectangular shape. It spread over 54 acers and total area measures length around 2530 ft and width around 2023.8 ft. City Dholavira is divided in 3 parts as The Citadel, The Middle Town and The Lower Town. The Castel is double in height and bailey area near the castle is where important officials were lived. Middle town has own defense, gates, streets , well systems and large open spaces. Lower town for lower workers which has no boundary walls. In Dholavira there are 2 rivers flown one is Manhar in the south and Mansar in the North side.


Water storage system/ Reservoirs :

Water harvesting and storage system of Dholavira says about advance hydraulic engineering in third millennium BCE. The unique features of Dholavira is water conservation system of reservoirs and channel systems which was never found anywhere in the world before. They store rain water which diverted into rivulets. The system for water harvesting is for long time preserve fresh water in Kutch climate where sometimes rain may not fall for years. Reservoir are cut through stone about 23 ft deep and 259 ft long. Total 16 or more reservoir created of different size.

 


A huge sign board found around 9.8 ft long on which 10 letters of Indus script. The costal route existed linking Lothal and Dholavira to Sutkagan Dor on the Makran coast.


Language :

The Harappan spoke an unknown language. The Script which was found on large sign board not yet deciphered.


Chronology of Dholavira :

Cultural Stages

Chronology

Cultural Affiliation

Culture

Period

Stage VII

c. 1500-1450 BCE

Post Harappan

Late Harappan

Period 5

Stage VI

c. 1950-1800 BCE

Late Harappan

Late Harappan

Period 4

Stage V

c. 2100-2000 BCE

Harappan

Harappan

Period 3

Stage IV

c. 2500-2100 BCE

Harappan

Harappan

Period 3

Stage III

c. 2800-2500 BCE

Dholavira Culture

Kot Dijian

Period 2

Stage II

c. 2900-2800 BCE

Dholavira Culture

Ravi/ Hakra

Period IA & 1B ( starting before 3700 BCE )

Stage I

c. 3000-2900 BCE

Dholavira Culture

Ravi/ Hakra

Period IA & 1B (starting before 3700 BCE )

 


While visit Kutch Dholavira is must visit site in your itinerary. You can visit Dholavira with family to know about old architecture, business coastal area via sea, living things and utensils and most important is water harvesting system. While visit Dholavira must take a guide to know every structure in detail it will cost around 500 INR per group but worth it.


How To reach Dholavira :

Dholavira is 130 km from Bhuj. Bhuj is main city in Kutch where you find airport , railway stations and bus transports. From Bhuj Dholavira around 2 hr 40 min distance. Road is very good just from Khavda road is single line and narrow for half an hour. After it the Road To Heaven started around 30-40 km long and the road is fantastic both side water after monsoon and after evaporate water you can see salt a white desert both side of road.

 Near by places to visit : Road To Heaven, White Rann in Rann Utsav by Gujarat Tourism, Kadiya Dhro, Bhuj City, Smriti Van, Bhujyo Dungar, Mandvi Beach, Vijay Vilas Palace

 Camera Used : Canon 6D, Canon 80D, 14mm lens, Samsung S22 Mobile

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The Mysore Palace _ Karnataka
Aug 10, 2022 | Heritage Places India The Mysore Palace _ Karnataka

The Mysore palace located in Karnataka. It is Historical place and also a Royal Palace for Royal family of Wadiyar Dynasty. The Mysore Palace also known as Amba Vilas Palace. Mysore is very well known for palaces so it is also known as City of Palaces.There are seven palace in Mysore including Amba Vilas Palace. Mysore Palace is in the center of the City. 

The old palace was burnt during wedding because it was made up with woods. So after 1896 Maharaja  Krishnaraja Wadiyar - IV and his mother Maharani Kempananjammanni Devi commissioned to build a new palace. During build up of palace the Royal Family stayed near by Jaganmohan Palace. Total construction cost of palace is Rs. 41,47,913. The palace build up work completed in 1912. Also palace expanded in 1930 for public darbar hall.

Heritage Palace India

About Mysore Palace :

  • Architecture of Mysore Palace like as Indo Sarasenic.
  • It include Hindu, Mughal, Gothic and Rajput styles architecture.
  • It is 3 storey stone structure of marble domes and 5 storey tower of 145 feet height.
  • Mysore Palace surrounded by garden.
  • Main complex of Mysore palace is around 156 ft wide and 245 ft long.
  • There are 3 gates to entering Mysore palace. Front gate, South entrance and West entrance. For public entry South entrance and front and west gates open usually in Dasara.
  • Tipu Sultan rule state of Nanjaraja, Khasaraja and hill Chamarajas during 1782 - 1796.

During my visit to Karnataka i visited The Mysore Palace or Amba Vilas Palace. It was amazing to see from outside too. We did not have much time to visit Mysore palace from Inside because it takes more 2-3 hours to see it from inside. We were in a hurry and we did not have stay in Mysore so we need to leave early, Outside place looking amazing architecture designs. The palace regularely maintain with colors and all areas. You can do a electric golf car ride to visit round of Mysore palace from Front Gate. The palace looks awesome from Front gate. The Mysore palace also famous as Tipu Sultan Palace Mysore but Tipu Sultan never stay in Mysore Palace but his sward put in the museum of palace. Tipu Sultan's Summer palace is in Shrirangapatna also known as Dariya Daulat Bagh .

7 Palaces of Mysore :

  • Amba Vilas Palace
  • Lalitha Mahal Palace
  • Rajendra Vilas Palace
  • Jaganmohan Palace
  • Karanji Mansion
  • Jayalaxmi Vilas Mansion
  • Cheluvamba Mansion

The most famous palace in Mysore is Amba Vilas Palace or Mysore Palace which was located in the heart of the city.

Mysore Palace

Places to Visit Mysore :

  • Mysore Palace
  • Chamundeshwari Temple
  • Rail Museum
  • Somnathpur Temple
  • Devaraja Market
  • Brindavan Garden
  • Venugopala Swami Temple

Mysore palace gate

City of Palace

7 Palace Mysore

Places to visit Mysore

Heritage places India

You can stay for 2-3 days in Mysore to visit all famous places. Most tourist visit Amba Vilas Palace and leave Mysore.

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