Why have I visited Rajsamand?
I was speaking with my sister-in-law on the phone, saying, “No, no, this time we’re heading to Udaipur after such a long time, and it won’t be possible for me to stop in Rajsamand. Please don’t insist.”
In response to my plea, my sister-in-law dangled a temptation, “Okay, as you wish. We were thinking of visiting Kumbhalgarh and staying overnight.”
Suddenly, I found myself succumbing to the temptation. I possess this vulnerability, or perhaps it’s a divine gift, of wanderlust. It’s difficult for me to decline any invitation to travel.
How to reach Rajsamand from Delhi
The nearest railway station to Rajsamand that offers connectivity to Delhi is Mavli Junction. The Mewar Express, which starts its journey from Delhi, reaches Mavli at 6:00 AM.
At this early hour, this small station begins to stir from its slumber. Despite the rush to reach our destination, we pause on the bridge to watch the diesel engine release plumes of smoke, gently rousing the drowsy town from its deep sleep.
Even in the remote areas of Rajasthan, the road conditions are favorable, making the drive from Mavli to Rajsamand quite smooth. Rajsamand is roughly an hour’s drive from Mavli.
Recently, a local train service has been initiated, departing around seven for Rajsamand, which offers convenient connectivity with the Mewar Express.
The journey time is similar to that of a taxi, with the added advantage of traveling alongside the local residents.
The rejuvenating mornings
During the taxi journey from Mavli to Rajsamand, we met lively groups of schoolchildren walking and cycling to their schools. They appeared energetic and cheerful.
Mornings possess a magical quality that dispels the previous day’s lethargy and disappointments, infusing all living beings with fresh hope and enthusiasm.
Perhaps this is the reason that author Robin Sharma in his famous book – “The Monk who sold his Ferrari” has put so much emphasis on getting up early. I am quoting below, from this book.
“There are few things more natural than rising with the glory of the first rays of a new day. The sages believed that sunshine was a gift from Heaven and while they were careful not to overexpose them, they regularly had sunbaths and often could be seen dancing playfully in the early sunshine. I (the narrator in the book) firmly believe that this was another key to their extraordinary longevity. The sun rejuvenates us. It is a delightful physician that releases vitality and restore your emotional and physical vibrancy.”
Rising before the sun is a tradition ingrained in the Indian way of life. While this practice may have evolved in metropolitan areas, it remains unaltered in many other regions of the country.
In Rajsamand, after a day spent relaxing and chit-chatting, we set out for an evening of boating.
About Rajsamand
Rajsamand is situated sixty-six km north of Udaipur. This town got its name from the Rajsamand Lake that stretches to a length of four miles and 1.75 miles in width and has an approximate depth of 60 feet.
Who built Rajsamand Lake?
This lake was formed by the construction of a bow-shaped dam across the River Gomti by Maharana RajSingh I, who was a contemporary of the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.
In 1661, the region experienced a severe drought and famine. Maharana RajSingh initiated the construction of this dam to provide employment and relief to those affected by the extensive hardship.
It stands as one of the earliest relief efforts in Rajasthan. The dam’s construction spanned over fourteen years, with an estimated investment of about 1.25 crores.
Nauchowki Paal – RajSamand
This dam, also known as “Nauchowki Paal,” features nine chowkis (platforms) over the steps descending into the water.
The number nine plays a significant role in the dam’s design and architecture. It is reputed that the dam spans nine hundred and ninety-nine feet in length and measures ninety-nine feet in width.
Each step is nine inches high, and atop the dam are nine white marble cenotaphs. These cenotaphs stand nine feet tall and are positioned at a nine-degree angle relative to one another.
Additionally, the dam is renowned for having the world’s largest inscription, which narrates the history of Mewar in Sanskrit. This inscription is carved onto twenty-four granite slabs, collectively known as the “Raj Prashashti Mahakavyam.”
The Jheel-Bharo Abhiyaan at Rajsamand
After navigating a bustling, crowded market, we found ourselves in a narrow alleyway and parked near the ancient Dwarkadheesh temple.
The vicinity exuded the charm of old, tightly clustered homes with petite jharokha windows. Emblazoned on the temple walls were the rallying cries of the “Jheel Bharo Abhiyaan.”
I recently came across an insightful article by Tavleen Singh that critiqued the flaws in the contemporary Indian mindset. She wrote, “I have been in villages where people admit that they stopped repairing the village ponds and ended the ancient practices of harvesting rain waters because they believed that the `Sarkar` owed them free piped water in their homes. This distorted mindset, I believe comes from the idea born of Nehruvian socialism that the government would take care of everyone’s need even if nobody lifted a finger to pick up a piece of wastepaper”.
In my view, she has precisely pinpointed the issue with our lax attitude in her critique. This approach has undoubtedly resulted in significant damage. The slogans of “Jheel Bharo Abhiyaan” were a call to shift our mindset and actively participate in making changes.
Ambience around Jetty Stand of the Rajsamand Lake
We approached the lake complex from behind the temple, descending the stairs into an area permeated with tranquility, as if centuries of prayers had sanctified the surroundings.
Vendors dotted the staircase, selling corn to feed the pigeons and fodder for the fish. Pigeons feasted on the grains, occasionally taking flight in unison, their wings stirring a cool breeze.
Anxiety tinged my excitement; we had promised the children a boat ride and were running late. I fretted over the possibility of breaking our promise as we hurried to the jetty. To our relief, we learned at the jetty stand that the last boat was soon to depart.
My niece darted off to fetch the fish fodder. Once she returned, the children shared it out evenly, and we all took our places in the boat, ready for the ride.
Before long, the children began tossing fish-food into the water, which attracted shoals of fish. As the competition intensified among the smaller fish, I observed them leaping out of the water, vying to reach the food more quickly and closely.
Sunset from the Rajsamand Lake
High above, the sun and clouds engaged in a playful game of hide and seek. The clouds sought to envelop the sun in their gentle clasp, akin to a mother coaxing her child into slumber.
Yet the sun, like a spirited child, wriggled free from time to time, unwilling to succumb as there remained a vestige of vigor before the destined sunset. Amidst this tender tussle between mother and child, we were graced with a captivating canvas in the sky.
Boating in the Rajsamand Lake
Lately, when I set out for boating, I tell myself it’s for the children. However, I’ve come to understand that the quietude of the open waters, disturbed only by the rhythmic splash of the oars, and the brief respite from terra firma, also allows me to shed my earthly concerns. It brings tranquility and renewal. Overall, it’s a revitalizing experience.
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