Jal Jhulani Ekadashi at City Palace, Udaipur

After forty five days of the Krishna Janmashthami, the Jal Jhulani Gyaras will be celebrated today. The celebration begins at the Vishnu Temple at the City Palace, Udaipur followed by a Ramrewari procession of Pitambarraiji Maharaj in the evening. The devotees carry Thakur ji in a silver palki to Lake Pichola, chanting the words ‘Haathi ghoda palki, jai kanhaiya lal ki’. The procession will proceed to Rameshwar Ghat (the promenade). Here, the lord will be given a bath in the freshly arrived lake water which is considered sacred during the Shukla Paksha or the waxing phase of the moon. 

A procession on Jal Jhulani is also organised from Shree Eklingji Temple to Indrasarovar in which the silver idol of Ganeshji is seated in the silver Ramrewari and carried for worshipping on the promenade of Indrsarovar alongwith Jageshwarji Mahadeoji.

After Jal Poojan (water bath) and Shaligram Poojan, the procession will return to temple premises for Aarti. Thereafter symbolic blessings are made by the priest of court in terms of mantra chanting and prasada to Shriji Arvind Singh of Mewar. This ceremony is called Ashika and marks the end of Jal Jhulani Ekadashi.  

Haqiqat Bahida – an autobiography by Maharana Sajjan Singh of Udaipur

A ‘Man of Vision’ as he may be called, Maharana Sajjan Singh of Udaipur, has been a ruler that makes the dynasty proud. In his ruling decade (1874 to 1884 AD), he has given so much to Udaipur that he is remembered for and always will be. In fond memories of him and to ensure future generations get to know the real him, Shriji Arvind Singh of Mewar, his 4th successor, has taken an initiative to preserve him in a book!
 
Maharana Sajjan Singh had captured his 10 eventful years as a ruler in a diary. The diary, which used to be mere pages until now, has taken shape as a beautiful book that captures him and his story, his thoughts, achievements and his vision. His zest for justice, harmony and advancement made him take the untrodden path to modernity to make it all happen for Udaipur. From reforestation to laying of new water pipelines to Lake Pichola being saved from silting has all seen light of the day during his reign. Not just this, separate civil and criminal courts were inaugurated to ensure a completely modern jury system. The education system, too did not go unnoticed by him. Being a connoisseur of the arts, he spent a lot of his productive time beautifying the city of Udaipur. The beautiful Sajjan Niwas Garden, Victoria Hall and the picturesque Sajjangarh (Monsoon Palace) are his gifts to Udaipur. And of course, the Shikarbadi Hunting Lodge which has been converted into a hotel under HRH Group of Hotels and remains to be one of the favourite monsoon retreats of Udaipur!
 
The humungous task of converting the diary into an autobiography is yet another acclaimed initiative by the Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation. It’s going to be the perfect medium for the world to come up close with Maharana Sajjan Singh. The 685 page book is titled 'Haqiqat Bahida of Maharana Sajjan Singh of Udaipur, Mewar' and is published by Maharana Mewar Historical Publication Trust (MMHPT) in both Hindi and English. It tells his entire story supported by a number of beautiful archival photographs. In the preface, Shriji has honoured him as, the ‘Suryavanshi’  Ruler. The book is available for sale at Udaya Museum Book Shop, run by MMHPT, in The City Palace, Udaipur. Grab your copy now!

Kartik Poornima Celebration 2012, during World Living Heritage Festival

World Living Heritage Festival, 2012

Day 2: Kartik Poornima Celebration 2012
at Jagmandir Island Palace, a palace on an island in Lake Pichola, The City Palace Complex, Udaipur

HRH Group of Hotels receives the BEST HERITAGE HOTEL AWARD by International Tourism Conclave and Travel Awards (ITCTA)

The Tourism department of Himachal Pradesh in association with International Tourism Conclave and Travel Awards had organized a three day international tourism conclave and travel awards starting from 6th April, 2012 till 8th April 2012, where HRH Group of Hotels, Udaipur has been awarded the Best Heritage Hotel award recognising the contributions made by HRH Group of Hotels to the industry. This glorious award has been bestowed by The Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal to the Executive Director of HRH Group of Hotels, Mr. Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar.

GANGAUR - A Celebration at The City Palace Complex, Organized by Shree Eklingji Trust

Gangaur is celebrated in Chaitra month of Vikram Samwat Calendar. On the third day of this month, on Chaitra Shukl Teej Gangaur pooja begins in which the maids associated with the Ranwaas (where Queen resides) prepare the Ishar and Gangaur for pooja for three days. This pooja takes place in the old Kothar (store) situated near Tripolia, in the city palace.

This is a festival primarily involving women of the house and is celebrated in all places in the State of Rajasthan. The scale of the celebration was Grand in all Mewar State as depicted in several paintings of those era displayed in the City Palace.

On the fourth day the Ishar and Gangaur (sand made decorated idols) are carried in a procession from Tripolia to Rameshwarghat, the Promenade where they are immersed in Lake Pichola. The procession returns with Ashika for Maharani Sahiba and disburses on entering Fateh Pole. The maids proceed to the main Shambhu Niwas Palace for Her Highness.

About the procession in the City Palace Complex: It is a group of about 20 ladies with Ishwar Gangaur escorted by Chadidarni (Lady with Silver Chadi) in procession in similar order as the procession of Jaljhulani Ekadashi.
The participation in this cultural celebration is totally voluntary for those not associated directly with the pooja.

Gangaur is a special celebration by performing the pooja by all women in a very special manner with the special ornaments, decorations, recepies and festivities. In most houses of Rajasthan there are human size Gangaur beautifully dressed with Rajasthan’s jewellery and ornaments. The members of the Royal House participated in this event in past as depicted in the Gangaur Savari paintings. Traditonal celebrations of Gangaur were on a very grand scale when the whole city of Udaipur used to watch the Gangaur Savari and its Grandeur.

Gangaur Begun on Sunday, 25th March 2012
Gangaur Pooja ended with procession on Wednesday, 28th March 2012