Balaram | Little Rann of Kutch | Lothal | Modhera | Nal Sarovar | Patan | Pawagarh | Shanku’s Water Park | Taranga

Rock  formations and  temples of Taranga

TARANGA & VADNAGAR

The other citadel with fine havelis is Vadnagar, east of  Sidhapur, which was known from medieval times for its tradition of classical and folk music, and in more recent times has given  Gujarat such famous artists as Dayaram and Narsinh Mehta, 2 of her greatest poets, Govardham, her famous novelist, and Kaumudhi Munshi, one of  her foremost painters.In the 3rd century, Vadna gar was colonised by the Naggar Brahmin community, whose fame as  administrators were known to an extent that  Hindu and Muslim kings invariably depended on them for advice. It was here that Akhbar's court singer, Tansen, burning from the effects of singing Dipak raag, the song of fire, came in search of Tana and Riri, the two girls who were expert in the Megamaldhar, the song of the rain. This raag was said to counter the effect of the Raag Dipak. Enchanted by this song, Akhbar invited Tana and Riri to sing in his court, but as the Brahmin laws prevented them from entering the Muslim court, they committed suicide rather than refuse the emperor or go against their religion. Their memorial, the 17th century Vishnu and Shiva temples and the  several Naggar Brahmin havelis are major attractions of Vadnagar. But the high light of this city is undoubtedly the Torana arches, with which it has become synonymous.  Across the Saraswati river and ascending the Taranga hills, the cluster of Jain temples dated from the 12th century, offers yet another insight into the devotional architecture of the Solanki Rajput period. Like the Jain temple clusters of  Dilwara, Palitana, Girnar, Gwalior  and Bihar, the temples of Taranga crown a hilltop and offer splendid views on everyside. The magnificent wall erected by Raja Kumarapala, are one of the most lasting remains of Solanki architecture, and inside you find the Ajitnath temple, dated to 1165 AD, which is the crown jewel of Taranga. The temple measures some 150'X100', the whole covered with breathtaking carvings , and the madapa inside has has 8 beautiful columns, ending in lovely lotus petals and  16 carved brackets depicting beautiful women. The central statue  has a bejewelled eyes sparkling with jewels.

Further north of Sidhapur is Palanpur, the capital of the Jalori Nawab dynasty, who came to India from Lohan in Afghnistan and ruled much of south western Rajasthan from Jalore in the 14th century. After 13 or 14 generations however, the Afghani Sultanate at Dehli fell to the Mughal empire, and Akhbar was partial to the Rathore Rajput rulers of Marwar, who had their capital at Jodhpur. The Jalore region was annexed to the Rajput kingdom of Marwar, and the Lohani rulers moved down to Gujarat founding a new capital at Palanpur. The township of Palanpur still reflects its Nawabi grandeur in a number of palaces, havelis, minarets and the King George V club.

Balaram | Little Rann of Kutch | Lothal | Modhera | Nal Sarovar | Patan | Pawagarh | Shanku’s Water Park | Taranga

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