Dungarpur

Quick Facts
Area: 3,770 square km.
Languages: Rajasthani, Hindi, Urdu, English, Sindhi
Best Time To Visit: July-March

Dungarpur district is the stronghold of the Bheels, a tribe whose history of occupancy in the Aravalli range is said to date back to 4000 BC.Founded in 1197. The rulers of Dungarpur claim descent from the Rajput house of Mewar.

Dungarpur is at the foot hills of the Aravallis and was once home to the Bhil tribe. In 1282 AD, Rajput king Rawal Veer Singh assassinated Dungaria, the Bhil Chieftain and took over the land. The area is rich in forests and wildlife.

Dungarpur is famous for its particular style of architecture. The palaces of the Dungarpur princes and the residence of the noble ones are adorned by stone jharokhas and a new style of jharokhas which was developed by Maharawal Shiv Singh reign (1730-1785 A.D.). The gold and silversmiths of Dungarpur and Banswara are well known for lacquer painted toys and picture framing.

What to See:

» Udai Bilas Palace » Government Archaeological Museum

» Juna Mahal or the Old palace » Shri Adinatha Jain Swetamber Temple

» Shrinathji temple

Where to Stay:

» Hotel Udai Bilas Palace

» Dhariyawad Estate

» Vijay Vilas Palace

Shopping:
Dungarpur is also famous for its lacquer toys and the art of picture framing, which can be abundantly seen on display during the fairs and festivals here. Artisans first make toys from wood and coat them with lacquer, giving them a shining coat. Semi liquid lacquer is also moulded into a certain shape and then left to dry, eventually being shaped into animal and human figures.

Accessibility:
By Air - Udaipur (120 km from Dungarpur) is the nearest airport.
By Rail - Regular train services link Dungarpur with all major cities like Delhi, Mumbai and Ahmedabad.
by surface - There is a well-connected network of buses that ply to and fro from Dungarpur connecting it to major towns and cities in north India.