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Bhangarh Fort Ajabgarh Rajasthan
History
The fort of Bhangarh carries the legend of Guru Balu who is said to have cursed the town. As per the prophecy, the city shall run into ruins when the shadow of the King’s palace touches the Guru. Accordingly, as the walls of the palace were built higher by the next generation of the King, the shadows fell on the Guru and the prophecy became true. It is believed that the body of Guru Balu is preserved in one of the cemeteries in the town.
Another popular legend about this fort has it that Princess Ratnavati of Bhangarh foiled the plans of one of the magicians who tried to enchant her towards him. It is believed that this magician Singhia tried to apply his magic using oil being purchased by the princess’ maid, so that the princess gets attracted to him and he can thus win her over. The princess upon knowing this spills the oil on the floor and the floor turns into boulder and crushes the magician. On his death bed, the magician cursed the doom of the palace. Apparently, the princess was perished during a war between Ajabgarh and Bhangarh. The legend is believed to be true even today, as the dwellers let the tourists into the fort only after sunrise.
Features
The fort gives an awkward feeling to the tourists as it is not inhabited by dwellers. The fort is a well planned structure with four entrances viz: the Delhi Gate, Lahori Gate, Ajmeri and Phulbari gates. The main entrance leads to a host of temples dedicated to Hindu Gods such as Gopinath, Someshwar, Hanuman, Ganesh and Naveen. The main deity appears to be Gopinath as the temple dedicated to this deity rests on a platform higher by 14 ft and is decorated with special coloured stones and grand carvings. The boundary of the temple complex is occupied by the priests who reside there. After the priests’ residences, the dancer’s residence is constructed and the market place for jewellers and then comes the Gopinath temple. At the opposite end of the temple complex, rests the Royal palace.
Special Facts
The locals believe that princess Ratnavati is re-incarnated in a different place and that she will return to the palace once she recollects the truth about her previous birth. Her return is believed to end the bad aura surrounding the town of Bhangarh.
Peak Haunting Time
At Night
Surprisingly, the fort of Bhangarh is the only tourist spot which is believed to be haunted even by the Archaeological Survey of India, the Government arm of Archaeology. Sign Boards are put up at all visible places, warning the tourists not to enter the Fort post sunset and prior to sunrise. The warning Boards are put up in Hindi, which also penalises the tress-passers who do not follow the instructions. Entry to Bhangarh is legally prohibited between sunset and sunrise. Grazing of poultry after sunset is also a punishable offence there.
How to Reach
A number of private and public buses ply up and down the fort of Bhangarh. One has to take a walk of about 1000 metres from the bus stop to reach the ruined fort of Bhangarh. Optionally, one can take a private taxi which is quicker.
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