Posts Tagged jodhpur tour

Marwar Festival , Jodhpur – Dedicated to the Brave Heroes of Rajasthan

Jodhpur - A Princly City in Rajasthan - Marwar Festival

Jodhpur - A Princly City in Rajasthan - Marwar Festival

About Jodhpur

Jodhpur is a  princely city with countless bastions and towers.

Exploring the city promises a delightful encounter with the unusual lifestyle and culture of the people.

A treasure trove for bargain hunters, the bazaars here stock an array of fabulous art and craft creations and a collection of tie and dye fabrics in extremely fine designs.. some of the reasons that attract tourist from all around the globe.

more on Jodhpur

Marwar Festival

Fairs in Rajasthan are mostly mythological in nature relating to Gods and Goddesses. They are even celebrated to commemorate the brave deeds of medival heroes.

The Marwar Festival, held in memory of the heroes of Rajasthan is one such example. The festival is celebrated in the Hindu month of Ashwin (Sept-Oct) in Jodhpur, the former capital of Marwar Province.

The massive Mehrangarh fort and impressive Umaid Bhawan Palace which are symbols of ingenuity, might and valor of the Rajputs, make Jodhpur an ideal location for the festival.

Marwar Festival Celebrations - Traditional Music and Dance of Rajasthan

Marwar Festival Celebrations - Traditional Music and Dance of Rajasthan

Marwar Festival Attractions

It was originally known as the Maand Festival, a classical style of folk music centered on the romantic lifestyle of Rajasthan’s rulers.   This two day festival is held during the full moon of Sharad Purnima.

The festival has on display the music and dance of the Marwar region. The spirited folk dancers assembled here, perform with gusto and entertain the audience with Rajasthani folklore.

One can see the folk dancers with pots on their heads and folk singers bringing to life the bygone era of the state. They provide a window to the past days of yore, of battles and of brave and noble heroes.

Apart from this, the other attractions of the festival include the camel tattoo show and horse polo. Various other competitions are also held during the festival.

Against the backdrop of Umaid Bhawan Palace, Mandore and Mehrangarh fort, this festival gains an added attraction.

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Chamunda Devi Temple – Mehrangarh Fort , Jodhpur Rajasthan

Chamunda Devi Temple, Jodhpur, India

Chamunda Devi Temple, Jodhpur, India

Location

The temple is situated in the southern end of the Mehrangarh Fort located on a hill top in Jodhpur, 330 km from Jaipur.

The fort, one of the largest in India, is situated 400 feet above the city and is enclosed by imposing walls. It comprises several palaces known for their intricate carvings and sprawling courtyards.

About Chamunda Devi Temple

Chamunda Mata, a form of goddess Durga, was the favourite deity of Rao Jodha, the founder of Jodhpur. He brought her idol from the old capital of Mandore near here in 1460 and installed it in the Mehrangarh Fort.

The goddess remains the Isht Devi (patron deity) of the erstwhile royal family. The Chamunda temple draws tens of thousands of devotees, especially during the Navaratri period.

People in Jodhpur believe that Goddess Chamunda is their guarding deity. Pilgrims coming here tie a piece of cloth or thread to a trident in the temple in the hope that the goddess will answer their prayers. When their wishes are fulfilled, devotees pay a thanksgiving visit.

The temple is maintained by the Maharaja Ummaid Singh Religious Trust.

During Dussehra celebrations, Mehrangarh Fort is thronged by devotees to get a glimpse of Chamunda Devi. If you are a devotee of Chamunda Devi, do visit this temple, when in Jodhpur.

Human Stampede Occurred in Chamunda Devi Temple

More recently the temple has been in news because on September 30, 2008, a stampede took place at Chamunda Devi temple. There were more than 25, 000 worshippers who gathered at the temple to celebrate the onset of Navaratri, the greatest festival among the Hindus in India. This incident has caused more than 113 deaths and injuries to over 300 people.

The pathway leading to the temple is not more than five-six feet wide, one reason why so many people died stampede.

Image Source: Wikipedia

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