Dholpur is situated on the left bank of the renowned Chambal River. Dholpur was carved out from the erstwhile Bharatpur District on 15 April 1982. It is only 55 kilometres from Agra and Gwalior and very close to the border of the neighbouring state of Uttar Pradesh. It was dominated by numerous dynasties over the years, including the Mauryan, Rajput, Afghan, Mughal, British, and ultimately the Jats. Dholpur is home to a number of forts and lakes, as well as artifacts dating from the time of the Mahabharata to the relatively modern Mughal Empire. It was formerly referred to as Dhawalgiri and afterwards as Dhaulagir, but it is now always called Dholpur. At addition to its beautiful sandstones, Dholpur is renowned for its red sandstone, which was also utilised to construct the renowned Red Forts in Delhi and Agra.
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| Courtesy: abhinav modi(unsplash) |
Among the places to visit in Dhaulpur are the Dholpur Palace, Sarmathura waterfall, Van Vihar sanctuary, Chopra Shiv Temple, Chambal Ravines, Raj Niwas Palace, Shergarh Fort, Dholpur Wildlife Sanctuary and Talab Shahi lake. The palace is the most prominent place of attraction in Dholpur. It is a royal heritage site that has been renovated to its highest magnificence.
The Dholpur Wildlife Sanctuary is home to numerous aquatic species and mugger crocodiles. It also provides a habitat to the rare Ganges River dolphin. It is a good place to do a safari in the forest and see the flora and fauna of the area. It is open throughout the year.
Talab Shahi lake is a scenic lake located near Dholpur. It was constructed in 1617 AD by Sher Shah Suri. It is a migratory bird sanctuary that attracts large numbers of winter migratory fowl. It is located toward the south of the Dholpur tower.
The National Chambal (Gharial) Wildlife Sanctuary is another famous place to visit in Dhaulpur. The sanctuary provides a safe habitat for the rare Ganges River dolphin and mugger crocodiles. There are also good viewpoints for photography of the water and unique landscapes.
The Damoye woodland range is another interesting place to visit in Dhaulpur. It is a vast woodland area and is home to many wild creatures. It is located next to the River Chambal.
Places to visit in Dholpur
1) Machkund Temple- The temple of Machkund is a holy place for Hindus. It has an ancient lake and temples that were carved by various dynasties of India. It is also considered as one of the holy places for Hindu pilgrims.
It is located near the Chambal River and is one of the best places to visit in Dholpur. There are numerous hotels and lodges located near the temple. You can get a tuk tuk to take you to the temple.
The temple is named after Raja Muchukund, who was the 24th Suryavanshi king. He is said to have had divine powers to destroy people. The temple is also referred to in the Puranas.
There are several small and medium temples around the lake. A few of them are Baldev-Chhat, Bateshwar Temple, and Chausath Yogini Temple. These temples are dedicated to the Tantric sect of Chausath. The temple is also known for its beauty. The temple has been remodeled by Maharaja Jai Singh II of Amber in the 18th century.
A fair is held at the temple every year during the Bhado month of Hindu calendar. It is attended by devotees from various parts of Rajasthan. During the fair, a huge crowd gathers at the temple. The fair also attracts sadhus and devotees from other parts of India.
2) National Chambal (Gharial) Wildlife Sanctuary - The Taj Mahal is the main attraction for most visitors to Agra, but there is much more to do in and around the city besides that. Consider taking a river safari on the Chambal River on your subsequent visit to Agra; it is only one hour's drive from the City of Taj.
The River Chambal is regarded as one of the nation's most stunning and unpolluted rivers and is home to a diverse range of flora and wildlife. The National Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 1978 and is also home to the endangered Ganges River Dolphin. The sanctuary, which covers 5400 square kilometres, is a portion of a vast territory shared by Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan. The reserve contains the first 400 kilometres of the river. In addition to river dolphins, the sanctuary is home to striped hyenas, jackals, jungle cats, foxes, long-nosed fish-eating crocodiles known as gharials, eight kinds of turtles, and several resident and migrating birds from Siberia. The best time to go on a river safari is from October/November to March because the summer months make the riverside too hot and cause migrating birds to fly back to Europe and Central Asia.
3) Talab-E-Shahi and Khanpur Mahal- Talab-E-Shahi (talab means lake) is a lovely lake in the Dholpur District that is located around 27 kilometres from Dholpur and 5 kilometres from Bari town. It was primarily constructed to serve as a hunting lodge for Prince Shah Jahan. Talab-E-Shahi, which was built in 1617, is the habitat of a large range of migratory birds, including shovellers, pintails, common and red-breasted pochards, garganey teal, tufted ducks, fadwalls, and wiges.
The Khanpur Mahal, a stunning palace that Shah Jahan had built but never utilised, is also located close to the lake. The Dholpur kings looked after both the palace and the lake. The palace currently houses Bari Town's police headquarters.
4) Van Vihar Wildlife Sanctuary- On the Vindhyan Plateau, the 60 square kilometre Van Vihar Sanctuary is home to a variety of creatures, including the Chital, Sambar (Deer), Blue Bull, Leopard, and Wild Bear Hyena. The entire sanctuary is encircled by Khair and Dhok trees, which is renowned for its incredible beauty.
According to legend, the wild animals in this sanctuary were especially beloved by Maharaja Udaybhanu Singh of Dholpur. In addition to feeding antelopes and deer by hand, he also used to feed foxes, jackals, and birds. The Dholpur kings also constructed an old forest rest house, which is located in the sanctuary.
5) Shergarh Fort- Located in the ravines of Chambal, Shergarh Fort Dhaulpur is a historical fort in Rajasthan. It was built by King Maldev in 1532 and later renovated by Sher Shah Suri in 1540. It has four gates.
The fort is decorated with carved sculptures of Hindu gods. It has several palaces and courtyards. The fort also houses a tomb. During the reign of Raja Maharajas, it was used as a military cantonment.
The fort has several big rounded bastions. It also has three inscriptions, a monument and a statue of Sher Khan. There are also several towering gates. The fort is also considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is built of bluish grey stone.
The fort has a nine-storey tower called Vijaya Stambh. Its interior is adorned with beautiful murals and delicate glass work. The tower has great views of Chittorgarh. The fort also has two waterfalls in its premises.
The fort is also home to several temples. The Chausath Yogini Temple is dedicated to the Tantric sect of Chausath. The temple is surrounded by a series of temples dating back to various periods. It is considered a sacred place by the locals. The temples are maintained by the archeological survey of India.
The fort also has a mausoleum called Shivneri. It is located on the southwest side of the hill. It also houses a mosque.
The fort is located about five kilometers from the Dist headquarters. The fort is also a popular tourist spot. The fort is surrounded by greenery during rainy seasons.
6) Nihal Tower- From 1901 to 1911, the Jat Rana Ram Singh of Dholpur ruled the princely state of Dholpur in Rajasthan, India. He was a Jat from the Bamraulia gotra. Born on May 26, 1883, he succeeded Rana Nihal Singh in 1901 after the latter's passing. When Rana Nihal Singh assumed the throne, he was not of legal age. In March 1905, he received complete rights. Nihal Tower was built by Nihal Singh. Rana Udaybhanu Singh succeeded him.
7) Chopra Shiv Temple- In the 18th century, this temple was constructed. It is Dholpur's oldest Shiv Temple. This temple is crowded with pilgrims and Shiv worshipers during Mahashiv Ratri in the month of March. Since Monday is regarded as the day of Lord Shiv in Hindu mythology, a large crowd comes here on Mondays to make sacrifices and give prayers. From Dholpur New Bus Stand, it is only 0.5 kilometres away. This historic temple is really beautiful architecturally.
8) Ramsagar Wildlife Sanctuary- Ramsagar Wildlife Sanctuary is a great place for bird watching and nature lovers. It is home to various bird species, like the white-breed water hen, marsh hen, and ringed plover. Also, the lake in the sanctuary is home to a variety of aquatic animals.
The state forest department is working on developing the sanctuary. It is expected to be a popular destination for ecotourism in the future. It has been established in 1976 and covers an area of 58 sq. km.
The sanctuary is also home to a variety of animal species, like the sloth bear, cheetal deer, nilgai, sambhar, cheetah, and wild boar. It is also home to a number of reptiles, including snakes. It is also a great place for photographers.
The Keoladeo National Park is another great place to visit in Dholpur. This park is a great destination for bird lovers and bird photographers. It is located on the banks of River Chambal.
9) Damoh Waterfall- Located in the Sarmathura district of Rajasthan, the Damoh Waterfall is a must-see. It's a cascade that falls from a height of 150ft. It is also a popular picnic spot in the region. Its best time to visit is during the monsoon season, when it is most active.
Located on a gorge about a half hour drive from Dholpur, the Damoh Waterfall is a must-see for nature enthusiasts. It is also a worthy addition to the bucket list. The gorge is home to a few vultures, as well as a local priest who claims to have seen a bear or two.
The damoh Waterfall is also located within a colossal cavern-like valley. This valley is filled with trees and dense vegetation. It is also home to a temple. A short trail leads you to the base of the cascade. The best time to visit is during the monsoon, when the cascade is most active.
The Damoh Waterfall is a small wonder that attracts visitors from all over the country. It's one of the best places to witness the splendors of nature in the state of Rajasthan. Its quaintness makes it a great choice for a picnic spot.
It is also a great place to sightsee. The gorge is home to several species of birds, as well as a few crocodiles. It is also a popular wildlife sanctuary. Amongst the flora and fauna, there are some odious snakes and crocodiles. The best time to visit is during the late afternoon.
10) Sher Shikar Gurudwara- A sacred Sikh pilgrimage near Machkund, Dholpur, connected to the life of the sixth Sikh Guru, Hargobind Sahib.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Dholpur is between the months of October and February due to the unusual weather conditions that the city faces, which include brutally cold winters and extremely scorching summers. In Dhaulpur, December is the busiest month for tourism.
Where to stay?
An hour's drive from Dholpur, Agra offers accommodations for travellers of all types, including hotels and homestays. For those who desire to remain, Dholpur city also offers a number of hotels, including the Jagan Hotel, Raj Niwas Palace, and others.
How To Reach
By Road: One can easily take a bus or a taxi to get to the city of Dholpur when travelling there. Each day, numerous government and private buses travel to and from Dholpur. They are the most popular, most comfortable, and easily accessible kind of transportation for local travellers.
By Air: Gwalior Airport and Kheria Airport in Agra are the closest domestic airports to Dholpur. Both the airports are located approximately 60 kilometres from the city.
By Train: Located on a well-traveled rail route that links Delhi, the capital of India, with other significant cities, Dholpur is a Noth Central Railway junction.
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