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Barmer

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Jaisalmer | Rajasthan | India

Ranked 11 among Places to Visit in Jaisalmer

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Barmer, Jaisalmer Overview

Filled with vibrant colours, rich heritage, and warm hospitality, Barmer is India's fifth largest district that represents the true reflection of Rajasthan. The historic town of the 13th Century is rooted in its flamboyant culture and is the perfect place to visit the wide expanses of the Thar Desert in Rajasthan. The town is also home to the majestic Barmer Fort and the ancient temples. A visit to Barmer gets more enjoyable than ever if you get to be a part of the Barmer festival which takes place during March. The small mud houses with their walls adorned with folk motifs and colourfully dressed people all together on the sandy lands give you a peek into Rajasthani living.

Embellished with several historical sites such as lofty forts and palaces other than temples, you can always witness the rustic environment all around. Adding charm to the raw beauty of the town are the camels trudging along the barren terrain, artisans busy in showing their rich crafts such as pottery, weaving, woodcarving, dance and music. Despite the harsh weather conditions and barren land, the place has attracted tourists from all around the globe due to its craftsmen who deal in handicrafts, embroidery work and other traditional art forms.

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History of Barmer

In the bygone era, Barmer was known as Mallani. The district was called so because of Rawal Mallinath who even today is a cultural, religious and, philanthropical in Barmer. Considering him equally important to God, many locals tend to worship him. The town of Barmer was founded in the 13th century by its ruler Bahada Rao Parmar (Panwar), also known as Bar Rao Parmar. You can simply call it a place where several dynasties thrived and perished. In the 18th century, British rulers named this region as 'Barmer' which was derived from its ruler Bahad Rao Parmar.The early Barmer extended up to a great area including places like Khed, Pachpadra, Tilwara, Kiradu, Jasol, Mallani, Balotara and Sheo. However, the current district was formed in the year 1949, and the Jodhpur state was merged into the state of Rajasthan. India's first onshore oil field was discovered in Barmer in the year 2009.

Places to visit in Barmer

Barmer is a small historic town with intricately detailed forts, palaces, and temples displaying remarkable carvings. Here is a list of places you must pay a visit to-

1. Barmer Fort

Barmer Fort, one of the most famous places in Barmer was built by Rawat Bhima in 1552 AD. The ancient fort overlooks the town of Barmer as it stands atop the hillock. Rawat Bhima took on to building this fort when he moved his capital from Juna to present day Barmer. It is also known as Barmer Gadh. The fort is situated at the height of 676 feet. The main entrance of Fort is in the North direction; Safety Burg finds the place on east & west direction.

2. Chintamani Parshvanath Jain Temple

Chintamani Parshvanath Jain Temple — Source

This 12th-century temple is also known as Shri Godisa Parshwanath Bhagwan ka Mandir. Located on the west hillock of Barmer, it is dedicated to Parasvanath who was a Jain Tirthankara. The interior of this temple includes decorative painting and generous glass inlay work. It is considered as one of the oldest Jain temples in the country.

3. Jagdambe Temple

As suggested by archaeologists this temple is about 500 years old. The temple is located at a level 140 m above the land. The temple holds a significant place for the localities of Barmer. The antiqueness and beliefs related to the temple make it a must visit place.

4. Keradu

Once the headquarters of Barmer, Keradu in the north-western part of Barmer is famous for its 6th-century temple. The temple is dedicated to the creator and the destroyer, Lord Shiva. Another temple in Keradu is The Sun temple which is also called the 'Khajuraho of Rajasthan'. Mohammad Ghori destroyed these temples in 1140 AD and hence what you see today are their golden ruins.

Fairs and Festivals in Barmer

The culture of Barmer is weaved in a way that the small town is a host to many fairs and festivals throughout the year. People here leave no chance to showcase the different colours of their district and religion. They celebrate every moment of the festive season with utmost gaiety and enthusiasm. Some of the leading fairs and festivals organised in Barmer are as follows-

1. Mallinath Cattle Fair
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The most significant festival of Barmer, Mallinath Cattle Fair is celebrated in Tilwara. The festival is celebrated fortnightly between the months March and April in the memory of Rawal Mallinath. Numerous breeds of camels, sheep, cows, horses, and goats, attract people from different states especially Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat. Traders from Mathura, Agra, and Aligarh bring artefacts of cattle to sell at the fair. The first day of the festival starts with a flag hoisting done in the name of Rawal Mallinath. Following days show great zeal and numerous games, songs, and dancing, representing the culture of Barmer take place. Paying a visit to Barmer during this time is undoubtedly one of the best ideas.

2. The Barmer Thar festival
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Organised by the government during May, the festival attracts a great bunch of tourists from all over the country. Celebrated at the romantic and unspoiled lands of Barmer, it is a major festival of the region. The festival brings forward the real picture of the enchanting historic town. The festival is organised with a motive of preserving the archaeological and religious places of Barmer. Performances by famous Folk artists, the refreshing Rajasthani dance, lip-smacking cuisine, and different games and activities, make this festival the most loved festival of Barmer.

Tips For Visiting Barmer

Carry heavy woollens and a good pair of shoes when travelling during extreme winters. If you are visiting the town during summer then light cotton clothes are the best option.

Accommodation In Barmer

Barmer offers many moderate hotels mostly located at the outer skirt region leading to Jaisalmer and interiors of the desert. You can also find good hotels near the oil wells for as much as INR 500 to 750 per night. If a luxury hotel is your choice then they are mostly the palace converted hotels with all the luxurious facilities.

Best Time To Visit Barmer

The best time to explore this beautiful town of Rajasthan is between the months of October and March as the weather remains pleasant during this part of the year in this sandy region.

How to Reach Barmer

Air: The nearest airport to Barmer is the Jodhpur Airport. It is located at a distance of 200 km from Barmer. Taxis are easily available at the airport hence you can hire one to Barmer. It takes around 3 hours to reach your required destination.
Rail: Barmer has its own railway station hence reaching Barmer is an easy task. As you are out, you can hire a taxi or an auto-rickshaw to head towards your hotel.
Road: Barmer is well connected to Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, and other parts of Rajasthan. You can take a road trip from nearby states of Delhi, and Gujarat.

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