Hidden Gems of Rural Rajasthan

• Bayana – A curious mixture of Hindu and Muslim relics and ruins characteristics Bayana. The place rose to prominence in the Mughal era, situated as it is near the two Mughal capitals of Agra and Delhi. Ancient temples sit side-by-side with medieval Muslim architecture. An ancient fort, Bijaigarh, crowns Bayana. The fort contains several temples and a pillar that indicates that Bayana used to belong to the kingdom of Samudragupta, Babur called it India’s most formidable fort.

• Bairat – Bairat, earlier known as Viratnagar, has been an important town from ancient times, though today it is among the quieter parts of Jaipur district. Remains of a Budhhist monastery, Asokan inscriptions, and a beautiful Jain temple speak of antiquity in this deserted place. The Pandavas of the Mahabharata were fabled to have spent a year of their exile in Viratnagar. Bairat also houses the ruins of two Buddhist monasteries built between 3rd and 1stt century AD. Inscriptions on the ruins indicate that the monasteries were built by King Ashoka.

• Baghera – Baghera is famous for its ruined temples. The remains of a Vishnu temple, uncovered through excavations, are part of the Varaha Avatar temple and depict Vishnu in the form of a boar. Excavations have also uncovered Jain images that indicate the erstwhile presence of a Jain temple. A little farther away a torana and the remnants of several ancient residences have also been excavated.

• Sita Mata – Spread across the Aravalli and Vindhy ranges, the Sita Mata wildlife sanctuary is a forest of bamboo and deciduous vegetation. Three rivers flow through the forest and sustain the wildlife that inhabits this area. Tree varieties grow in abundance: teak, salar, tendu, amla, bamboo and bel are the most common. Valuable teak trees that can be used for building grow in especial abundance. Several varieties of deer including the chousingha, wild boars, pangolin and leopards make the sanctuary their home. Hyenas, jackals, foxes, jungle cats, porcupines, spotted deer, wild bears, four-horned antelopes and nilgais, revered by the Bishnoi tribe also spotted in Sita Mata. The sanctuary is also rich with bird life. The flying squirrel, however, is the most exciting animal found here. These squirrels glide from tree to tree, usually after sunset.

• Jalore – Jalore lies on the left bank of the Sukri River. As a river town, it flourished in the middle of the 8th century and was ruled by Pratihar kings. It boasts of many temples, as well as the mandatory fort. Two great poetic works – the kuvalayamala and the Kanhad Dev Praband – were composed in Jalore. Today Jalore is known for the fort, which was built in the 10th century. It is the simplest of forts without much embellishment. A work of elegance, it speaks of strength. The fort is unusually spacious. It houses the mosque of the great saint Malik Singh.