Ramgarh, Sikar

Geography

Ramgarh is located at 23.92°N 73.95°E? / 23.92; 73.95. It has an average elevation of 306 metres (396 feet).

History

Ramgarh was founded in 1791 by the Poddar family and it was one of the richest towns in 19th century India. late freedom fighter and social worker Shree Gorakh Ram Ji Varma (Netaji) was born in 1901 in this town.

Places of interest

Chhatris The most beautiful structure in Ramgarh is perhaps the opulent Ram Gopal Poddar Chhatri. As its name suggests, it was built by the Poddars. It came up in 1872 and has some great murals, especially in the dome. The scenes fall into three broad groups – the Ramayana, the life of Krishna and ragamala paintings (illustrating the musical notes). Chhatris, usually consisting of a cluster of pavilions, are a common sight in princely Rajasthan where they were built to commemorate a dead hero. But the Poddar chhatri is so elaborate that it could very well pass for a palace! and would you believe it, there are a whopping 500 murals all over it! The Ramayana Chhatri is more modest, but richer in paintings. It has a beautiful collection of murals in maroon and blue showing scenes from the epic Ramayana.

Havelis (mansions) Thanks to the wealthy Poddars and their inflated ego, Ramgarh has over a dozen beautiful havelis (mansions). The Bashashwarlal Poddar Haveli is one of them, and a fine double one at that. It was probably built in the glorious 1830s, with good ochre paintings of floral designs. Across the road are the ruins of the first haveli built in the region. Near this is the haveli of the particularly prosperous family of Tarachand Ghanshyamdas Poddar, which has a beautifully painted room. But the building is generally kept locked. The Anant Ram Poddar Double Haveli and the Jagannath Poddar Double Haveli are some of the others in the region. The two Ruia Havelis are also worth seeing. The Ruias, who were also a merchant family, managed to grow very important in this Poddar dominated town as the century progressed. Their havelis were built around 1890 and were painted with murals of red and blue of Indians and the British. And among these havelis, there is one of the finest haveli in ramgarh was " SUROLIAS Haveli.They had 7 haveli and the surrounding area was known as "PANDATA KI MORI" and it is nearby churugate

Temple Attractions Ramgarh has some nice temples too. The Ganga Temple is the finest one here, built by a Poddar. and in 1845, it cost as much as 32,000 rupees! But thats not surprising, as the Poddars main purpose was to make Ramgarh flashier than Churu. But sadly, antique dealers have ruined the place; theyve mercilessly torn beautiful pieces off the walls in many places. The Ganga Temple has suffered too; the adjoining dharamshala (rest house) has all its woodwork torn off. Anyway, there are some good murals on the outer walls of the temple. The complex is interesting, with lots of arches that you could weave your way through. The little Shani Temple, devoted to the Saturn god, was built by a Khemka family in 1840. The outside wears a somewhat weathered look, but the inside is a glorious concord of murals and mirror work. The murals, rich in ultramarine, are of varied subjects, though the colour has worn off in some places. The Hanuman Temple was built by the Ruias in about 1885. It is an interesting building with a passage running under it. Locals might call the temple a different name, the Lal Kuan Mandir (the Red Well Temple), probably because of a well somewhere in the premises which was painted red. The vaulted ceiling in front of the shrine had some fine murals, but they have been destroyed badly due to moisture. The Natwar Niketan, Ram-Lakshman Temple and the Sureka Dharamshala (built by Seth Hardayal Sureka) are some of the other monuments.

Nimakidhani- This village is located in east Of this city at a distance of 3 Km .Founded by Late shree Nyoldanji Kavia this village is exactly on the border of three districts namely Sikar,Churu and Jhujhunu.

ta3 km distance on the border of Sikar,Churu and Jhunjhunu

References