Ghanerao is a small village in that was originally part of the Mewar district of Rajasthan that came under the leadership of the rulers in the city-state of Udaipur. The village today lies in the Pali district of Rajasthan. The village was a prosperous yet small economic centre under the Mewar rulers. The town saw the spread of both Hinduism and Jainism and hence has many shrines dedicated to a pantheon of gods. The city in itself does not have many tourist attractions but the area is in close proximity to many other areas that are worth a visit.
1. Kumbhalgarh Sanctuary
The sanctuary is five kilometres from the hamlet. The sanctuary covers a huge area extending from the Pali district to Udaipur, crossing even the Aravalli hills. Kumbhalgarh Sanctuary takes its name from the Kumbhal fort located close to the sanctuary. The sanctuary houses many wild animals and birds. Many horse safaris and treks are conducted in the area. This gives the visitors a chance to get a closer look at all the beautiful birds and animals in the area. Nature is best experienced when one is away from all the modern contraptions, so get rid of the car safaris and walk around the sanctuary and feel yourself being a part of mother nature.
2. Kumbhal Fort
The formidable fort was built by Maharaja Kumbhal and since then has seen the birth of many valiant rulers like Maharana Pratap. Kumbhal fort is located on a hilltop and has a beautiful view of the town that lays beneath. The fort is spread over a huge area and is a feat of architecture. The fort was built so that the walls could never be breached. The construction of the fort assures that fort would never be taken over in a war. The fort has a temple dedicated to the local goddess. This was the temple where human sacrifices are said to have taken place, in exchange for which boons were asked. It would be a folly to miss the fort at night time when it is lit for a particular period of time.
3. Mahavira Jain Temple
The temple is among the few that depict the statue of Mahavir with a moustache. This could have been due to the intermingling of the great faith with local traditions. Mahavira Jain temple is said to have been built in 1020 CE. The temple is a beautifully constructed and attracts many devotees from neighboring regions.
4. Narali
The hillock is a thirty kilometres from the village. Narali attracts Jain devotees in huge numbers. There are many Jain temples in the area. The major attraction in the region is a huge statue of an elephant.
5. Gajanand Temple
Gajanand temple is located in the village itself. The temple has a huge statue of Lord Ganesh. He is flanked by Riddhi and Siddhi, the lord’s wives. The lord is guarded by Hanuman. The temple is visited by many not only for its spiritual importance but also its aesthetic beauty.
The village is dotted by temples, enshrining not only the deities but the faith of the many devotees that visit the area. The area is a perfect weekend getaway with the perfect blend of heritage and natural beauty. Apart from that if anyone is visiting Udaipur or Jodhpur, they would find themselves visiting this small village to get a more holistic idea of Rajasthani heritage. As it is true that real Rajasthani beauty lies in the villages and not the urban Centres.
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