Karauli District Overview :

Karauli District is a district of Rajasthan state in western India. The town of Karauli is the district headquarters. Karauli District comes under Bharatpur Divisional Commissionerate. Karauli is famous for popular red-stone. The population of the district is 1,458,248 (2011 census), indicating a population density is 264 persons per km2.

History :

Karauli is one of the holiest city of India as there are more than 300 temples. According to the ancient history, region of Karauli was under Matsya Kingdom before the 11th century. It is to be highly noted that Raja Bijai Pal, a Jadon Rajput, founded the modern princely state Karauli in 995. The local legends and Hindu scholars believe that he was the 88th in descent of Lord Krishna.

On the other hand, historians and scholars cite that it was Maharaja Arjun Dev who founded the princely state of Karauli in 1348. It is to be remembered that till the 19th century, Karauli was an independent principality. In 1818, this region came under the direct rule of the Rajputana Agency.

Geography :

The district of Karauli encompasses an area of 5043 km2. It is bordered by Dholpur District to the east; by Bharatpur District to the north-east; by Dausa District to the north; and by Sawai Madhopur District to the west.

The Chambal River forms the south-eastern boundary of the district, 5 km from Mandrayal across which lies the state of Madhya Pradesh. While almost the entire district is covered by hills and ravines, there are no lofty peaks, the highest having an elevation of less than 1400 feet above sea level.

Good grade stone and some iron ore comprise the mineral resources of the area.

Topography :

Karauli's natural environment includes the Vindhyanchal and Aravali mountains. The district has plain, high and low and hilly partsThe plains are fertile and clay is lightweight and sandy. There are many rivers in the district. Annual rainfall is 668.86 mm, about 35 days in a year. Maximum temperature is 49 °C in May and 2 °C in January.

Economy :

In 2006 the Ministry of Panchayati Raj named Karauli one of the country's 250 most backward districts (out of a total of 640).  It is one of the twelve districts in Rajasthan currently receiving funds from the Backward Regions Grant Fund Programme (BRGF).

Sandstone, Missionary Stone, Silica sand, Soapstone, White clay are the major Minerals found in this district. About 200 small units are using sandstone for cutting & polishing of stones to be used in building making.

Demography :

According to the 2011 census Karauli district has a population of 1,458,459, roughly equal to the nation of Swaziland or the US state of Hawaii. This gives it a ranking of 340th in India (out of a total of 640). The district has a population density of 264 inhabitants per square kilometre (680/sq mi).Its population growth rate over the decade 2001-2011 was 20.57%. Karauli has a sex ratio of 858 females for every 1000 males, and a literacy rate of 67.34%.Meena and Gurjar caste dominates in Karauli.

Places to visit :

Kaila Devi Temple: Kaila Devi Temple is a Hindu temple situated 23 km from Karauli and 37 km from Gangapur City in the Rajasthan state in India. The temple is located on the banks of the Kalisil river, a tributary of the Banas River in the hills of Trikut, 2 km to the north-west of Kaila village. The temple is dedicated to the tutelary deity, goddess Kaila Devi, of the erstwhile princely Jadaun Rajput rulers of the Karauli state. It is a marble structure with a large courtyard of a checkered floor. In one place are a number of red flags planted by devotees.

Madan Mohan Ji Temple: Madan Mohan is a form of the Hindu god, Krishna. Krishna is celebrated as Madan Mohan, who mesmerises everyone. His consort, Radha is glorified as Madan Mohan's Mohini, the mesmeriser of the mesmeriser for spiritual aspirants. Radha is known as the mediator without whom access to Krishna is not possible. Originally from Shri Vrindavan, Madan Mohan ji went to Amer in Jaipur with Raja Sawai Jai Singh II - the founder of Jaipur and from there was brought to Karauli in Rajasthan by Maharaj Gopal Singh after he conquered the battle of Daulatabad.

Mehandipur Balaji Temple: Mehandipur Balaji Mandir is a mandir in the Indian state of Rajasthan dedicated to the Hindu God Hanuman. The name Balaji is applied to Sri Hanuman in several parts of India because the childhood (Bala in Hindi or Sanskrit) form of the Lord is especially celebrated there. It is important to note that the temple is not dedicated to Balaji another name for Krishna. Unlike similar religious sites it is located in a town rather than the countryside. Its reputation for ritualistic healing and exorcism of evil spirits attracts many pilgrims from Rajasthan and elsewhere.

Nakkash Ki Devi - Gomti Dham: Nakkash Ki Devi - Gomti Dham Temple is in Hindaun City, Karauli district in Rajasthan, India. Nakkash Ki Devi is a Hindu Devi Temple of Durga Mata and Gomti Dham is a Temple and Vatika(ashram) of Gomti Dass Ji Maharaj.

Bhanwar Vilas Palace: Maharaja Ganesh Pal Deo Bahadur, the great monarch of Karauli, got the ancient fortress built in the year 1938. It was preordained to function as the palatial house of the old regal family. Classical buildings with royal panache and antique historical fittings in the spacious interiors are some of the main basic qualities of the Bhanwar Vilas Palace. Recently partially transformed into a rich heritage hotel, it still privately accommodates the wealthy imperial clan of Karauli.

Kaila Devi Sanctuary: The Kaila Devi Wildlife Sanctuary begins right after the temple and runs along both sides of the road all the way to Karanpur, and further on to join the Ranthambhore National Park. Chinkaras, nilgai, jackals and leopards are to be found here, as are birds such as sandpipers and kingfishers.

City Palace: Arjun Pal built the palace, along with the town, in the 14th century. However, little or nothing of the original can now be seen. What you do see is the structure erected by Raja Gopal Singh in the 18th century. He chose to adopt the Delhi style of architecture – the abundance of red sandstone in Karauli, similar to that used in Delhi, made the rendering easy. The more embellished additions came in the 19th century. White and off-white stones have been used very becomingly, painted upon with bright blues, reds, browns and oranges. From the terrace atop the palace, you can see the town laid out by the River Bhadrawati below, and the ravines and hills beyond.

Chhatri of Raja Gopal Singh: The chhatri of Raja Gopal Singh, outside the Nadi Gate leading out of the palace to the river below, is stunningly adorned with frescoes. Dayanand Saraswati, the 19th century reformer and founder of the Arya Samaj, is said to have given a sermon here.

Timan Garh Fort: 40 km from the district headquarters in the heart of the hills on the edge of the historic Sea reservoir built in 1244 AD, the fort was built by Timnpal Yaduwanshi ruler. Museum of architecture with architectural sculptures is called a precious treasure of the fort.

Dev Giri Fort: Located 70 km from the district headquarters near Krnpur Untgiri, Durg devgiri is historical. In the present case in that they are cap - are cap Durg is strategically important. Located on the banks of Chambal high hills Durgo old statues and remains of palaces. Chambal River flows nearby crocodile is found in large quantities.

Mandrayal: 40 km from the district headquarters is Mndrayl Durg. The year 1327 was dominated by Arjun Dev about the ruler of Karauli. The Trinity Baradari temple, located in the middle of the court, and is worth a visit Bala Durg. Rhugat in Chambal River flows nearby waterfall, crocodile century is worth seeing.

Gadhmora: Located 90 kilometers from the district headquarters in the lap of the Aravalli mountain chain Gdmora is a historical town.The castle on the hill in Gdmora Rajamordwaj, Temple, Konark style wall and Buddhists stupas 13th - 14th century architecture is superior specimen Kedar Nath Baba's cave, 13 km long, as well as to present the historical fair every year Makarsankranti. Lord Devnarayan temple, Narayani Mata temple, throughout the year of continuous running water reservoir, Shivmath 1100 years old, The only son Hanuman temple Makardhwaj and perform natural environment attract tourists to their side.

Gufa Temple: Gufa temple is believed to be the original temple of Kaila Devi. The native and foreign tourists are requested not to venture into this region as this forest area is dotted with wild animals. This temple falls under the jungle of the Ranthambore. The devotees walk nearly 8–10 km from the town in order to reach this temple and have darshan.