Pali - The Trade Centre Of The Royal State

Eponymously known as the Industrial City, Pali has been an important part of Rajasthan from centuries and a hub for merchant activities. Carved out of erstwhile state of Jodhpur, Pali flaunts its rich heritage and culture in the form of beautiful Jain temples and other elaborate monuments. Resembling an irregular triangle, this district shares a common border with eight districts in Rajasthan namely, Nagaur and Jodhpur in the north, Barmer in the west, Rajmasand and Udaipur to the south-east, Ajmer to the north-east and Sirohi and Jalore in the south and south-west respectively.

Pali Tour

Attractions & Places to Visit and Explore in Pali.

Come explore the wonders and sites that Pali has to offer you. There’s always something to see in Rajasthan.

Ranakpur Jain temple

Millions of years ago, the event that bestowed stability upon the then shambolic homo sapien life was the dawn of civilization. With this came other devices which systematized life as we know. One of these significant entities was devotion, which we’ve come to relate to as an anchor of belief. The Ranakpur Temple in Rajasthan exemplifies this belief.

Historical Significance : - According to a Sanskrit text by the name Soma-Saubhagya Kavya and a copper-plate inscription discovered within the temple complex, this temple dates back to the early fifteenth century. An architectural marvel in its own right, the Ranakpur Temple came from Dhanna Shah, a Porwal from Ghanerao, under the patronage of Rana Kumbha, the then ruler of Mewar.Legend has it that Dhanna Shah, a prosperous merchant and prominent minister in the court of Rana Kumbha, one night dreamt about a celestial vehicle. The next morning, he woke to a burning determination of building a temple in the shape of a vehicle, to give expression to his vision. Without further ado, he shared his ambition with the king and pleaded for his assistance. Delighted by the concept, the king assented to the request but with a condition that the structure be named after the monarch.

It was somewhere around 1394 C.E. that the merchant initiated his search for someone who would aid him in realizing this vision in stone. He finally gathered courage and sought help of an eccentric ascetic, Deepak, who after days of meditation, turned up with a sketch so flawless and divine as if it was drawn by the Gods themselves. After about 50 years of tremendous labor put in by thousands of craftsmen and sculptors, the Ranakpur Temple came into being.

Jawai dam

Built across a tributary of the river Luni, Jawai dam was constructed by Maharaja Umaid Singh of Jodhpur. It is believed to be the biggest dam in western Rajasthan. Besides being a primary source of water for nearby villages and Jodhpur city, Jawai dam is also famously a winter paradise for migratory birds and leopards and houses crocodiles.

Parshuram Mahadev Temple

A cave temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, the ParshuramMahadev Temple has a fascinating story. It is said that Parshuram, an avatar of Lord Vishnu, made the cave with his axe and worshipped Lord Shiva here. Situated over 3990 feet above sea level, this temple houses naturally-made figures of Lord Ganesha and Lord Shiva.

Sun Temple

The Sun Temple in Ranakpur is a popular Surya/Sun Temple that is called the Surya Narayan Temple. Built originally in the 13 th century, the temple was reconstructed in the 15 th century. It is constructed with stunning white limestone in Nagara style, with intricate detailing. The elaborate walls of the temple make it a splendid piece of architecture. Containing a sanctum with a Chikhara as the crown, the temple faces eastwards. Before the temple, there is an octagonal mandap as well. Consisting of six verandas, the mandap is a beautiful one. When you step inside the temple, you could see the Lord Sun idol on a chariot. The temple walls have a host of spectacular carvings of horses, celestial bodies, and warriors. Sharply depicting the artistic excellence of the bygone eras, the temple is an architectural beauty. The Sun temple of Ranakpur attracts many devotees from across the country who visits the temple to get the blessings of Lord Son. Many of the devotees also visit the Amba Mata temple and Ranakpur Jain Temple in the nearby area. Being managed by the Udaipur Royal family trust, the temple is a must visit for the intricate carvings and revel in the architectural glory of the ancient eras.

Ranakpur Dam

Ranakpur Dam is a popular tourist destination where you can have some laid-back time moments. The dam is located in a cosy village called Ranakpur, which falls in the Pali district of Rajasthan. Situated close to the Ranakpur Jain Temple, the dam is a sight of sheer beauty, and offers a perfect respite from the city life, making it a perfect weekend getaway. The splashing water amidst the backdrop of clear mountains is a view that is sufficient to tug at the heart of an explorer. Surrounded by lush greenery, the dam looks the most beautiful at the time of sunrise or sunset. One visit to the place is enough to lure your senses and steal a self-indulgent moment from time. You can easily locate the dam and catch glimpses of nature at its best.

Om Banna Temple Pali

Located at about 40 kilometres from the city of Jodhpur, is a shrine dedicated to Om Banna. The shrine is on the Pali-Jodhpur National Highway 65. Om Banna, also known as Bullet Baba, was a person who had a 350cc Royal Enfield Bullet motorcycle but was killed in an accident at the very spot where the shrine is right now. This was back in the year 1988. When the fateful accident took place, the police took the bike in custody and parked it in the police station. But, the next morning, something unusual happened. The bike was found on the same spot where the accident took place. The police, thinking of it as a prank, took the bike back and kept it at the police station again. These unusual turn of events, led people to believe that it was due to the magical powers of Om Banna. Today, the bike can be seen kept in a glass case and people throng to the place to worship it. If you visit the shrine, you will see the bike fully covered in strings by worshippers who visit the place to pray for their safe journey. Visit the place to see this unusual shrine and witness something peculiar yet interesting.

Balsamand Lake

The Samand Lake, also called as Sardar Samand Lake, is situated 60 kms south-east of Jodhpur off the Jodhpur-Pali route. Developed by Maharaja Umaid Singh in the year of 1933, the lake is situated near the Sardar Samand Lake Palace. Credited as being a bird-watcher’s haven, the lake is beautiful to look at. The lake attracts numerous local as well as migratory birds, which makes for a breath taking view. Upon visiting the lake, you can easily spot beautiful birds in the skyline or floating in the lake, such as the Himalayan griffon, yellow- legged green pigeon, Dalmatian pelican, and many other lovely birds. Plan a trip to the Samand Lake to witness the raw beauty of nature. The lake looks calm amidst the Sardar Samand Lake Palace. On your way to the lake, you will come across a wildlife area where you can spot animals like Chinkara, Neelgai, and Blackbuck. Plus, you will also come across Bishnoi villages where you can witness the Bishnoi tribal community, which enriches the experience even further.

HOW TO REACH HERE

  • The closest airport is the Jodhpur Airport, at a distance of around 74 km.
  • Pali is well connected to other Rajasthan districts by road (NH14).
  • There are regular trains from Beawar & Jodhpur to Pali.