Karauli district of Rajasthan :

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. Karauli came into existence after its separation from Sawai Madhopur district on 19th July 1997.Karauli is known for its temples, forts and fairs.

Historic Background :

       The formation of Rajasthan State process started in 18th March 1948 with merging of Karauli, Dholpur, Alwar and Bharatpur principalities into Matasya union. After independence, all were declared as district except three principalities namely Karauli, Dholpur and Pratapgrah. Dholpur and Pratapgarh were merged into bigger principalities of Bharatpur and Chittorgarh respectively, but Karauli was merged with the province of Sawai Madhopur.

      Now these principalities have been made districts in following sequentially order: 27th Dholpur, 32nd Karauli and 33rd Pratapgarh district. In 1975 announcement of opening of Post Graduate College in Karauli was made, but was later taken back due to the reason that classes can only be held at district headquarter. Thus Post Graduate College became the breeding ground of the district creation movement. In 1976 an article was published in Rajasthan Patrika (daily newspaper) with a title “Vichitrataon Ka Gahr Sawai Madhopur”. These article described agonies of the district headquarter. The article “Suli Upper Saij Piya Ki Milna Kis Bidhi Hoye” gave pace to the movement for establishing Karauli as separate district. In 1977 first memorandum was given to the government through public and the movement continued. In January 1990 a big movement was started by locals of Karauli, where people of all community kept the market closed and took out a torch procession, which is still a paragon of awareness and unity of the people of Karauli. Around three thousand people collectively demonstrated outside the Assembly, unfortunately they had to face ‘Lathi Charge’. Some of the people behind “Jilla Banao” are no more but role of the organisations behind the development of Karauli is unforgettable. Under the guidance of Ex-MLA Late Baba Hansram Singh Gurjar, Advocate Abdul Rahim and Advocate Late Jagdish Paul, youths participated actively and the charge to lead youth was given to Advocate Late Chandra Prakash Sharma. A large number of youths joined this movement, writer Udho Singh also actively participated in this movement and worked wholeheartedly till achieving the final goal. In 1993 movement again gained force and due to the sacrifice and efforts of Ex-MLA Late Hansram Singh Gurjar in 1997 and based on the suggestions of the revenue department, in the budget on 12th March 1997 creation of karauli district was announced and on 19thJuly 1997 Karauli was officially established as a separate district.

Demographics :

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.

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.

Tourist places :

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.

Shri Mahavir Ji Temple: Shri Mahaveer Ji Temple is in Hindaun City, Karauli district in Rajasthan, India. Earlier known as Chandanpur, this small village became famous as a Jain religious site after an ancient idol of Mahaveer was excavated from its soil several hundred years ago. It was then renamed as Shri Mahaveer Ji This idol was excavated over 200 years ago from the same spot, after which the temple was constructed. Thousands of worshipers flock from across India to catch a glimpse of this famous statue.

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. 

Gadhmora: Located 90 kilometers from the district headquarters in the lap of the Aravalli mountain chain Gdmora is a historical town. 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.

Timangarh Fort: Timangarh Fort is located in proximity of Karauli, in the Masalpur sub-tehsil. According to historians, the fort was built in 1100 AD but was destroyed soon after by an attack. In 1244 AD, Raja Timanpal, the scion of Vijay Pal, reconstructed the fort.

It is believed that there are ancient ashtadhatu as well as stone idols and sculptures hidden under the temples of the fort complex. Visitors can also see the religious, geometrical and flower patterned carvings on the rooftops and pillars of the temples. These pillars are also adorned with carvings of several gods and goddesses.

Ancient records discovered at the site corroborate the belief that the fort was occupied by Mohammad Gouri's forces from 1196 to 1244 AD. There is a Sagar Lake at the side of the fort, which is believed to have a Paras stone at its bottom.

Ramathra Fort : Ramathra Fort is situated in Sapotra in the Karauli District of Rajasthan. The fort is located between Keoladeo Ghana Bird Sanctuary in Bharatpur and Ranthambore Tiger Reserve in Sawai Madhopur. At a distance of 15 km from the fort is located Keladevi Wildlife Sanctuary. Within its premises, the attraction contains the fort, the lake and countryside.

Amargarh Fort: Amargarh Fort is located on a hill top in the village of Amargarh in Rajasthan. This 250-year-old fort was built under the supervision of Raja Amar Mal, after whom it was named. The fort is surrounded with greenery and a field of local crops. Moreover, tourists visiting the fort can also view the forests and mountains all around it.