Bhangarh is a place between Jaipur and Alwar in Rajasthan state of India. Today Bhangarh is known for its ruins where nobody dares to go after dark, but is worth a visit; in fact the place is beautiful and tranquil. What remains though, is a shadow of a once beautiful kingdom.
Passing by Bhangarh, banyans and temples dot the landscape and one chhatri can be seen up on the hill. The most remarkable are the temples of Gopinath, Shiva (Someshwar), Mangla Devi and Keshava Rai. Other more or less preserved buildings are e.g. shops along the main road, several havelis, a mosque, and a palace. The palace was protected by two inner fortifications across the valley. The town is separated from the plain by ramparts with five gates. Bhangarh is also a pre-historic site.
Passing by Bhangarh, banyans and temples dot the landscape and one chhatri can be seen up on the hill. The most remarkable are the temples of Gopinath, Shiva (Someshwar), Mangla Devi and Keshava Rai. Other more or less preserved buildings are e.g. shops along the main road, several havelis, a mosque, and a palace. The palace was protected by two inner fortifications across the valley. The town is separated from the plain by ramparts with five gates. Bhangarh is also a pre-historic site.
This town was established in 1573 (VS 1631) during the rule of Raja Bhagwant Das and it became the residence of his second son Madho Singh. Madho Singh was younger brother of Emperor Akbar’s General Man Singh I of Amber. Madho Singh participated in many campaigns with his father and brother. The next ruler of Bhangarh was his son Chhatr Singh. Bhangarh slowly declined after Chhatr Singh's violent death in 1630. Near Ajabgarh was founded by Ajab Singh, the son of Chhatr Singh. When Mughal Empire became weaker after the death of Aurangzeb, Jai Singh II attached Bhangarh to his state by force in 1720. After this Bhangarh diminished in population, and when the famine of 1783 (VS 1840) fell on the land the town was abandoned, and has remained a ruin ever since.
Entrance To The Fort
Legend has it that due to a curse of Guru Balu Nath, the whole town was vacated overnight. Balu Nath sanctioned the establishment of the town but said: "The moment the shadows of your palaces touch me, the city shall be no more!" Ignorant of such foreboding, one ambitious descendant raised the palace to such a height that its shadow reached Balu Nath's forbidden retreat and the town was devastated. The small samādhi where Balu Nath lies buried is still there.
The other myth is as follows: The charm of princess of Bhangarh Ratnavati was said to be matchless in all of Rajasthan. Being eighteen years old, the princess started getting matrimonial offers from other states. In the same region there lived a tantrik, a magician well versed in the occult, named Singhia who was desperately in love with the princess knowing that he would never be allowed to even see her, let alone meet her. One day, he saw the princess' maid in the market buying scented oil for her. Seeing this, he got an idea by which he could meet the princess. He used his black magic and put a spell on the oil which would hypnotize the princess by her merely touching the oil, and she would surrender herself. The princess foiled this plan though. She had seen the tantrik enchanting the oil, and she therefore threw it away, whereupon the flagon rolled over a stone. As soon as the oil touched the stone, it started rolling towards the wicked tantrik and crushed him. While dying, Singhia cursed the palace with the death of all who dwelt in it, without any rebirth in their destinies. The very next year there was a battle between Bhangarh and Ajabgarh and no one survived, not even the princess Ratnavati.
Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has put up a signboard at Bhangarh stating (among others): "Entering the borders of Bhangarh before sunrise and after sunset is strictly prohibited."
Some people who visit this place say that there is a strange feeling in the atmosphere of Bhangarh, which causes symptoms of anxiety and restlessness. Nevertheless, most of people like Bhangarh, and even those who went there at night didn't notice anything strange.
The other myth is as follows: The charm of princess of Bhangarh Ratnavati was said to be matchless in all of Rajasthan. Being eighteen years old, the princess started getting matrimonial offers from other states. In the same region there lived a tantrik, a magician well versed in the occult, named Singhia who was desperately in love with the princess knowing that he would never be allowed to even see her, let alone meet her. One day, he saw the princess' maid in the market buying scented oil for her. Seeing this, he got an idea by which he could meet the princess. He used his black magic and put a spell on the oil which would hypnotize the princess by her merely touching the oil, and she would surrender herself. The princess foiled this plan though. She had seen the tantrik enchanting the oil, and she therefore threw it away, whereupon the flagon rolled over a stone. As soon as the oil touched the stone, it started rolling towards the wicked tantrik and crushed him. While dying, Singhia cursed the palace with the death of all who dwelt in it, without any rebirth in their destinies. The very next year there was a battle between Bhangarh and Ajabgarh and no one survived, not even the princess Ratnavati.
Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has put up a signboard at Bhangarh stating (among others): "Entering the borders of Bhangarh before sunrise and after sunset is strictly prohibited."
Some people who visit this place say that there is a strange feeling in the atmosphere of Bhangarh, which causes symptoms of anxiety and restlessness. Nevertheless, most of people like Bhangarh, and even those who went there at night didn't notice anything strange.
Entrance to the Fort Premisis
Ruined Temple.
Lord Shiva Temple
King's Palace(Now Ruined)
Old Store Room
Manually controlled machine .
This machine was basically made for crushing and mixing the stones and sand for construction purpose.Roller and sticks are the two major parts that works.
Old Gate
Old Gate
Architecture
Holy Cow Statue
Villagers worshiping God
Pond Near to Temple
Monkey's Eating
Old Shop
Old Shop
Umbrella
Me On the Top
Ruined Temple.
Lord Shiva Temple
King's Palace(Now Ruined)
Old Store Room
Manually controlled machine .
This machine was basically made for crushing and mixing the stones and sand for construction purpose.Roller and sticks are the two major parts that works.
Old Gate
Architecture
Holy Cow Statue
Villagers worshiping God
Pond Near to Temple
Monkey's Eating
Old Shop
Old Shop
Umbrella
These umbrellas were made outside the fort for soldiers to take rest and to keep eye on the enemies .
Me On the Top
Finally Another trip is over..Hope you All Will Enjoy it.
Data Source:Wikipedia
78 comments:
Beautiful serie , thanks for the visit !
encore une superbe série, j'adore la photo du temple en ruine, il est magnifique.
still a great series, I love the picture of the temple in ruins, it is magnificent.
The stories you tell are fascinating, and you weave them in with the scenery so well. I thought I could smell the essential oil in the flagon as it spilled onto the stone that rolled over and crushed the evil sorcerer. Sandalwood?
This all reminds me of A Passage To India, with the feelings of uneasiness, the monkeys...
Very interesting post! Great pictures!This place is fantastic!
Léia
You get to see such amazing places. I'm so glad that you are kind enough to share your wonderful pictures.
beautiful story that makes us travel
WOW......the place sounds very interesting and you got just the perfect pic to support your story...Rajasthan is so very rich even in its ruins....magical Rajasthan.....thanx for such an amazing story.
What a beautiful place! The history is fascinating.
Great post!
Shawna's Study Abroad
Awesome travel images my fav is baby camel of course
It is like a story the way you presenteed it was quite wonderful :)
Not only are your photos beautiful, your stories and research and sense of history show India in a fascinating light.
Hi, wonderful post! Thanks for showing all those wonderful places and telling us about your fascinating country:)
What a beautiful place and such an interesting story behind it. Thank you for the tour and guide through this amazing place.
This place really is very beautiful ! Just to see these pictures I'm very willing to visit personally!
Beautiful. I will visit it on my next trip
Your photos are breath taking.
Wonderful photos and very intriquing legends!
I love those little doorways shaped like a key hole!
Wonderful series and excellent photographs...so much information and history, too.
I'm amazed again, how superstition can actually impact people's lives for good or ill.
And that's true all over the world!
Wow what a wonderful old building. I Don't think I would want to be there after dark though.
Bharat: Wonderful captures at the castle and such a neat story. That baby camel was out of control. I liked the big crushing wheel and the explanation.
A wonderful tour with terrific stories. You make it all visual. Is the site preserved in any way? Is entry controlled or is it just there?
Fascinating history and great photos. Thanks for the visit!
Looks like a wonderful place to visit. The stories were very interesting.
Very interesting story with wonderful pictures.I liked the pictures of the temple in ruins and also the baby camel.I have not visited this place and after reading your beautiful post I feel like visiting the place.Keep it up!
Haunted? That makes me nervous. I very much like the keyhole-shaped gateway. What a neat place.
Thanks for sharing these photos and historic sites. You have an interesting blog. I appreciate you visiting my blog as well!
Thank you for taking us on this wonderful journey with you! Also, thank you for your sweet comment on my post!
blessings,
abigail
Nice photos in historical place.
Wow... that was some story! The people of Bhangarh had it very difficult! Such beautiful surroundings though...with such a past! ~Maria
Your photos are simply fantastic! You do a wonderful job on your blog. I loved the story about the princess and the oil. Very neat! Thanks for your nice comment on my blog :)
Beautiful sequence! What amazing places and architectures! I like so much the King's palace and the Old Gate! Thanks for sharing this wonderful realities.
Great shots and again, I learned a lot. The photo of the Shiva temple is my favourite.
Wow,I always like India's ancient architecture and design, so intricate.
it's fun to follow what u're doing. awesome blog! the first picture on the top looks like prambanan temple in indonesia.. they've got some scary myths too..
Thanks so much for posting the photo of the monkeys!!! I'm sure they are mostly seen as pests in the city, but I never get tired of seeing them.
An extraordinary post about a magnificent place! Wonderful job and thanks for your comments on Paintbox Pictures! :)
What a wonderful post on the wonderful place!
Tree At Height
wonderful series of photos!
It is always interesting for me to look at a famous haunted place and wonder at it's history!
Hello!
Thanks for the visit in my blog - You are welcome!
Great pictures and this a beautiful place!
Million kisses!!!
fantastic post, i love the old myth's
felicity xx
that full size top shot is stunning!!!!!!!!!!
A great story that goes along with the pictures of this city. I read a fictional story once of a city very much like this one.
Hey Bharat, I have tagged you! Click here to know more and enjoy the game!!
This and the last post are amazingly beautiful and interesting.
I wrote you and told you I just got back from Rajasthan (November) and loved it. I enjoyed Udiapur and Pushkar and especially Fatipur Sikrit. Write me again soon. THANKS FOR THE GREAT PIX.
Thanks for the visit to and history of another fascinating destination. I enjoyed the photos very much.
SO interesting... I love reading the history. Thanks so much for taking us on your trip. It was almost as good as if I had have been there. Don't think I want to go to Bhangarh at NIGHT... Yipes!!!!
Have a great day.
Betsy
That's a very nice story you just told. Enjoy reading it. The template (1st photo) is very pretty.
You have a beautiful blog. One of my best friends is from India.
Thanks for visiting Prattle. Lola the Queen sends her regards.
I totally enjoyed it. Thanks for the trip.
Renee xoxo
Thanks for visiting my blog today and leaving a comment.
This post is just amazing. I love your descriptions and the photos are fabulous!
Jane
What fascinating stories about a stunning place! The lore that surrounds the site contributes to the strange feeling of discomfort it elicits. I love that.
Thank you for stopping by my place and leaving your kind comment. I'm very glad I came here; I have in fact signed up as a regular, so expect to see me tagging along on your next journey!
Ciao,
Lola
Well, after 54 comments I don't imagine this one will mean a whole lot, however, the "strange feeling in the atmosphere of Bhangarh, which causes symptoms of anxiety and restlessness" has decended upon Stockon California...one small lonely office in particular and one lonely woman. How do they deal with it in India, because in here....I just want some trouble. Thanks for stopping by my blog. Love your pics! Take me away Unseen.
Exceptional post with a lot of interesting photographs of a place and a culture that so many of us know nothing about. Thanks for showing me.
Oh! How beautiful! I can not wait to read and see more! Thank you for taking us with you on this journey! Also thank you for popping in on my little Blog!
Nice architectural photos and an interesting history.
Excellent tales thank you for the tour. I really enjoyed it.
This is fascinating. Beautiful pictures. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you also for your kind comment.
Thanks for dropping by my blog.
your post are very beautiful and stunning!!!!
You have a very impressive blog. Keep up the good work.
Interesting place with an interesting story. I would love to enter the place after sunset to see if it's really haunted : )
My favorite photo was the old gate. Thanks for sharing. Peace
These are all wonderful and interesting images! Great series!
If you want comments on individual images, you might post them individually or in smaller groups.
Wow, I'm glad I stopped by. Your postings are excellent and your photos are breathtaking. I loved the way you wove the stories and history into your posts. Excellent.
As always, a stunning presentation and a learning experience. The monkeys, gosh. Tell me, do you get those feelings of anxiety when you visit?
Really nice fotos...
Good story behind a great monument / sight!
hey awesome pics dude......nice compose of dat od gate pic i liked dat a lot........
india definitely has some of the most interesting art history i have ever seen!
another remarkable architecture
You have such a beautiful country, I would dearly love to visit someday. Your ruins are so different than the ones I see here in Israel, it's really fascinating.
The fort is magnificent. What a spectacular place.
nice story .....!!!!
bhangarh is very nice place....i visited dat place last month with my frnds.....its amazing place but be careful at night coz something wrong in dat area..... me nd my frndz also felt something unusual in that environment.....we heard a bad screem at night for 15 min....u wil feel strange in there's environment......we red Hanuman chalisa whole night......nd if ur going in dat place then dont make noise in night nd dont bring anything from there.....nd be carefully its beautiful but dangerous place....!!!
bhangarh is very nice place....i visited dat place last month with my frnds.....its amazing place but be careful at night coz something wrong in dat area..... me nd my frndz also felt something unusual in that environment.....we heard a bad screem at night for 15 min....u wil feel strange in there's environment......we red Hanuman chalisa whole night......nd if ur going in dat place then dont make noise in night nd dont bring anything from there.....nd be carefully its beautiful but dangerous place....!!!
wow! amazing its so nice ,beautiful,i think no one more place like it in india
i like it
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