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Lodrawa (Lodurva or Lodarva) is a village in Jaisalmer district, Rajasthan, India. It is 15 km to the north-west of Jaisalmer. Lodrawa was the ancient capital of the Bhatti dynasty till 1156 AD, when Rawal Jaisal founded the Jaisalmer state and shifted the capital to Jaisalmer.
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Map of Lodurva, Rajasthan 345001
History
In the 9th century, Deoraj, a famous prince of the Bhati Rajput clan, captured Lodrawa from Lodhruva Rajput clan and made it his capital. The city stood on an ancient trade route through the Thar Desert, which also vulnerable to frequent attacks. Mahmud of Ghazni laid siege on the city in 1025 AD, in the coming decades the city, now more vulnerable was repeatedly attacked by foreign invaders. Later it was again attack and sacked by Muhammad Ghori in 1178 AD, which eventually led to its abandonment and established in new capital Jaisalmer by subsequent ruler, Rawal Jaisal, 16-km away on a more secure Trikuta Hill in 1156 AD, where the present fortress stand today.
The place was also the setting for the doomed-loved story of Princess Mumal and Mahendra, the prince of Amarkot, recounted in local folklore and songs.
Visitor's attractions
Today, it is a popular tourist destination, known for its architectural ruins and surrounding sand dunes. Apart from that Ludrawa is also famous for the Jain temple dedicated to 23rd Tirthankara, Parshvnath destroyed in 1152 AD when Muhammad Ghori sacked the city but was reconstructed in 1615 by Seth Tharu Shah and further additions were commissioned in 1675 and 1687. The temples were rebuilt in the late 1970s, are reminders of the city's former glory. Rishabhanath Temple and Shambhavanath Temple are also major attraction. Other places are Hinglaj mata temple, Chamunda mata temple, and old temple of Shiva.