Nagaur

Best Tourist Season (November – March)
Airport: Nearest Airport is at Jodhpur 141 km, Jaipur 250 km, Udaipur 373 km
Railway: Nagaur is linked by rail with Bikaner (112 km), Merta (78 km), Phalodi (68 km).
Road: Ahmedabad 631 km, Ajmer 149 km, Bikaner 112 km, Delhi 456 km, Jhunjhunu 226 km, Jodhpur 141 km, Jajpur 250 km, Pushkar 134 km, Sikar 172 km, Sri Ganganagar 363 km, Udaipur 373 km.

Introduction
Nagaur – a city in Rajasthan state, India. An administrative headquarters of Nagaur District. Nagaur was founded by the Naga Kshatriyas and the city lies about midway between Jodhpur and Bikaner.

Nagaur is the fifth largest district in Rajasthan state. Nagaur District is divided in 12 tehsils namely – Nagaur, Merta, Jayal, Ladnun, Didwana, Nawa, Makrana, Degana, Parbatsar, Khimsar City and Mundwa.

The History of Nagaur, glorified by the bards, finds mention even in the epic Mahabharata. The kingdom of Ahichhatrapur which Arjuna is said to have conquered and offered to his Guru Dronacharya, was perhaps some of the area of the Nagaur District.

After independence, Nagaur had the honour of being selected as the place in the country from where the Democratic Decentralisation (Panchayati Raj) process was launched by late Sri Jawaharlal Nehru, the first prime minister of India.

Geography
Nagaur is located at 27.2°N 73.73°E
Average elevation of 302 mtrs (990 feet)
Its geographical spread is a good combine of plain, hills, sand mounds & as such it’s a part of great Indian Thar Desert.

Area
Nagaur is 17,718 sq km

Climate
Nagaur has dry climate with a hot summer and sand storms are common in summer.
March to June are the hottest months in Nagaur.
Rainy season is very short during July to mid September. In Nagaur district, there are ten raingage stations – Nagaur, Khinvsar, Didwana, Merta, Parbatsar, Makarana, Nawa, Jayal, Degana & Ladnun.
Winter season is from mid November to beginning of March, which is best time for tourism.

Demographics
Nagaur has a population of 3,309,234 (as of 2011 India census)
Male 51%
Female 49%
Literacy rate 64.08%

Sightseeing in Nagaur

Nagaur Fort – Sandy Fort – The fort was initially built by ruler of Nag dynasty in 2nd century and was rebuilt in the early 12th century. This fort has seen many battles and also been altered multiple times. It is an outstanding example of Rajput and Mughal architecture. Major renovations was done in 2007 and now replete with fountains and gardens. This fort also serves at the stage for a Sufi music festival.

Ladnun – historical city of Old Chanderi Nagari and tourism site.

Ladnun is an important centre of Jainism and considered to be the spiritual hub of Ahimsa or compassion. The temples were built in the 10th century and have a rich history. Ladnu city also houses Jain Vishva Bharti University – which has become a centre for spiritual learning and knowledge under the leadership of Acharya Tulsi, a great jain saint, who has propagated the pholosopy of “ANUVRAT” in order to lighten people in this area o the country.

Khatu – The old name of Khatu was Shatkup (six wells). When Shak rulers came to India, they brought two new wells with them which were called Shakandhu (Stepwell) and Kalandh (Rahat). According to Prithviraj Raso, Khatu’s old name was Khatwan. Old Khatu is almost destroyed. Now Khatu consists of two villages called Bari Khatu (Big Khatu) and Chhoti Khatu (Small Khatu). A small fort built by Prithviraj Chauhan still stands in Chhoti Khatu. An old step well is located in Chhoti Khatu known as Phool Bawadi, believed to be constructed in Gurjara Pratihara period which is a marvel of artistic architecture. 

Ahhichatragarh, Nagaur Fort and Museum – Ahhichatragarh Fort literally translates as “fort of the hooded cobra” is situated in Nagaur. The fort, spread over 36 acres, was in a state of neglect till 1980’s. In 1985 the fort was placed in the care of the Mehrangarh Museum Trust and has gradually been restored to its glory with the support of four grants from the Getty Foundation, two from the UK based Helen Hamlyn Trust and contributions from the Mehrangarh Museum Trust. This palaces and historic spaces displays period furniture, objects and an amazing group of wall paintings. The Fort of Nagaur, in 2002, won the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Award for Culture Heritage Conservation. It was also shortlisted for the prestigious Aga Khan Award for architecture in 2011-2013. This Nagaur Fort hosts the World Sacred Spirit Festival every year.

Pashupati Nath Temple – The Pashupati Nath temple is a popular tourist attraction in Manjhwas village of Nagaur District in Rajasthan. The temple is believed to be built by Yogi Ganeshnath in 1982. The Pashupati Nath temple located at a distance of 20 km from Nagaur District headquarters on the Deh route. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple has been built along the same lines as the Pashupatinath temple in Kathmandu, Nepal. The Shivalinga placed within the inner sanctum of the temple is made of ashtadhatu. Tourist and pilgrims come to visit the Pashupati Nath temple in Nagaur on Shivratri and in the month of Shravan every year, making it a site of great religious significance.

Jhorda – Jhorda is a quaint little village in the Nagaur Tehsil, and is quite well-known as being the birth place of poet Kandan Kalpit and of the great saint Baba Hariram. Every year during January – February (Bhadrapad Chaturthy and Panchmi), Jhorda sees over one to two lakh tourists/visitors. Tourists from other states of India visit the big annual fair that is held in village Jhorda every year. The Jhorda village is also home to the Baba Hariram and the temple houses a lot of memorabilia from the saint’s life.

Bade Peer Saheb Dargarh – Being a celebrated shrine, Bade Peer Saheb Dargah in Nagpur was also opened as a museum on the 17th of April’ 2008. The most popular display at the Bade Peer Saheb Dargah is a Quran Shareef written in Golden ink is said to be written by Hazrat Syed Saiffuddin Abdul Jilani, along with his cane and headdress, the museum is also home to several other items of historical importance. Tourists can look at old Indian coins from 1805, as well as American coins with the image of Abraham Lincoln, among others.

Excursions around Nagaur

Kuchaman City and Kuchman Fort – Kuchman city has many tourist attractions but the most important is Kuchaman Fort – one of the oldest and most inaccessible fort of Rajasthan situated on top of a straight hill. It possess a unique water harvesting system, a beautiful palace and sunning wall paintings. Jodhpur rulers used to mint their gold and silver currency her in Kuchaman Fort. The fort offers a beautiful view of the town and the salt lake. Tourist can also view the old temple, step wells and beautiful havelis in the town from Kuchaman Fort.

Kuchaman Fort in Nagaur District is the biggest attraction in Kuchaman City. The fort was constructed in 9th centre by Rathore ruler Thakur Zalim Singh. Surrounded by 32 bastions, this fort has ten big gates that allow entrance into the Kuchaman Fort from different sides. The fort which once housed the entire Kuchaman City within its boundaries has now been transformed to a luxurious heritage hotel for tourists.  This Kuchaman Fort has also served as shooting spot for famous Bollywood movies …. Jodha Akbar and Drona. Original inlays of Kuchaman Fort was made of semi-precious stones and glass, motifs and flowers in gold and natural colours decorate the inner walls and pillars of this magnificent fort. The main highlights of this royal establishment are the long balconies, hanging terraces and the popular miniature paintings of the Rathore clan.

Dadhimati Mata Temple – also known as Goth Manglod temple, 40 km from Nagaur. Dadhimati Mata Temple is the oldest temple of the district constructed during 4th century (the Gupta Dynasty), Kul Devi of Dadhich Brahimins.

Khimsar Fort – The Nagaur fort was initially built by the ruler of the Nag Dynasty in 2nd century, and this 500 year old fort, located on the eastern edge (42 km away from Nagaur) of the Thar Desert was built in about 1523. The Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb used to stay at this fort. Black deer roam in herds around this fort. Khimsar Fort has now been furnished with modern facilities and converted into a heritage hotel.

Makrana – Nagaur District is known around the world over for the presence of Makrana marble, used in Taj Mahal in Agra, Victoria Memorial in Kolkata, Delwara Jain Temple in Mount Abu and Ranakpur Jain Temple and other famous monuments of excellent architectural art and beauty.

Meera Bai Temple (Merta) – also known as Charbhuja Temple, 400 yrs old. 78 km from Nagaur.

Bhuwal Mata Temple – 25 km from Merta City 

Fairs & Festivals of Nagaur

Ramdeo Cattle Fair – Ramdeo Cattle Fair is the 3rd largest cattle fair in Rajasthan founded by the great king of Jodhpur Dynasty, Umed Singh in honour of Shri Ramdeoji. This cattle fair is held in January / February every year (in Magh month as per Hindu Calendar). The famous Nagauri bull is the prime attraction of this fair and also the indigenous breeds of camel, horses, bullocks, buffalos, goat and sheep are in no way less attractive. Buyers from all over the country participate actively and vie with each other in purchasing high pedigree animals to upgrade their cattle.

Baldeo Cattle Fair – This Cattle fair is held in March / April (Chaitra month as per Hindu Calendar) at Merta city every year. This Baldeo Cattle Fair was initiated in the memory of the great leader of the farmers Baldeo Ram Mirdha. The Nagauri breed of cattle are traded here in abundance and cattle competitions are the biggest attraction of this Baldeo Cattle Fair.

Veer Tejaji Fair – Veer Tejaji Fair is the second largest cattle fair held every year in August / September (Shrawan month of Hindu Calendar) at Parbatsar. Primarily it is a cattle fair but routine things are also bought and sold.

Apart from the above fairs, a number of other fairs are also held in Nagaur District in Rajasthan. These are Sheetla Asthami mela, Hariram Baba ka Mela, Hanumanji ka mela, Meerabai Charbhuja Mela, Parsawanathji ka mela, Sufi Tarkeen Salana Urs, Mataji Ka Mela, Gusaiji ka mela, Jhulotsawa and the Narsingh Chaturdarshi mela among others.