Bhilwara is a city in the Mewar region of Rajasthan, India. Known as the ‘Textile city’ now; according to reports, city and district got this name because of presence of a mint where coins known as ‘Bhiladi’ were minted. Another story goes like this that a tribe known as Bheel who helped Maharana Pratap in war against Mughal Empire king Akbar lived here. That’s how this area came to be known as Bheel+Bada or Bhilwara. A major industrial town of Rajasthan, it is known for its textile city in the country.
The area has been populated since early days, as evidence Stone Age tools dating from 5,012 to 200,000 years can be found in Bhilwara. The oldest part of the city that is now known as Purana Bhilwara (Patwari Mohalla, Junawas, Manikya Nagar Malikhera); was set up in the 11th century with building of a Krishna Radha mandir (temple) that still exists and is known as the Bada Mandir. Historical records show that a town named Mandal close to Bhilwara served as the military base for Mughals when they attacked Chittagarh. The ruins of their campsite can still be seen today. A watch tower that was built on a small mound in Mandal is now a Devi temple.
Bhilwara falls between Ajmer and Chittorgarh-Udaipur. Unlike other parts of Rajasthan that have water scarcity, Bhilware has many monsoon rain fed rivers namely Banas, Bedach, Kothari, Khari, Mansi, Menali, Chandrabhaga and Nagdi. There is no natural lake in the district but there are the number of tanks and dams; making Bhilwara town and district the most irrigated and fertile in Rajasthan. The man-made Mansarover Jheel is a famous tourist attraction.
A major textiles centre with more than 850 manufacturing units producing synthetic fabric for use in trousers, Bhilwara is a gaint name in India. It began with a spinning and knitting company named Mewar Textile Mills, owned by industrialist Shri Sampatmal Lodha, started in 1938; but the city’s fortuned turned in 1961 when Shri Laxmi Niwas Jhunjhunwala started his first unit for synthetic textile at Bhilwara.
Bhilwara was formerly a part of princely state of Udaipur, and it became part of state of Rajasthan in 1948. The city is well connected by rail, and road; with air connectivity to Bhilwara provided by Udaipur. The surrounding region consists of hilly, forested area. A major agriculture production region it produces lot of wheat, corn, barley, and cotton. The area is also rich in beryllium, mica, and iron ore deposits and produces them in huge quantities.
Bhilwara, is known for age-old temples, lush green gardens dotted across the city and intricately carved rock formations also. The Badnore Fort just outside Bhilwara with its grand architecture is worth visiting. Bhilwara is also famous for Kyara Ka Balaji where the deity of Lord Balaji seems to have been carved into a massive stone. Pur Udan Chatri is another example.
The city has many temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, which attract tourists for their architecture, carvings. The Bagore Sahib Gurudwara where Guru Gobind Singh Ji rested during his travels is also worth visiting. Harni Mahadev Temple on a mountain about 8 km from Bhilwara is a significant Hindu pilgrimage center for the tourists coming to Rajasthan. The hills around the temple offer an incredible scenic view full of greenery. The name Harni has been derived from the village Harni which lies adjacent to the hill.
Tourist can also visit Chamunda mata Mandir that lies on the same hill and offers a fantastic view of the whole city from the top. Samriti Van, a small but beautiful garden located close to the temple is also worth visiting. Dani Dham Temple which tourist can visit is on the way to Harni Mahadev. Pur Udan Chatri is a picnic spot 10 kms from Bhilwara. It is popular for Adhar Sheela Mahadev built on a large rock nicely balanced on a small rock. The place on top of a hill, gives visitors lovely view of the surrounding.
Kyara Ke Balaji Hanuman temple 10 kms away from the city, is a major pilgrimage centre for people of Rajasthan. The temples image of Lord Hanuman is not carved but seems to have appeared naturally. It is also popular for the images of Patola Mahadev and Ghata Rani that can also be seen on the rock. Tilesva Mahadev Mandir built in a “Kund” with a statue of Ganga Mata in the center is another major pilgrimage spot. It is believed that taking a bath in the Kund can heal skin diseases.
There are 5 hotels resort and Hotel La Abode Bhilwada, Ranbanka Heritage Resort, Hotel Radiance, Hotel Royal Embassy, Hotel City Palace, Bhilwara etc. there are several restaurants that serve authentic non-veg and veg Rajasthani cuisine at reasonable prices. Another place worth visiting in Bhilwara is the Meja Dam. One of the biggest dams of Bhilwara and famous for its green mount park located 20 km away from Bhilwara. The main source of drinking water for Bhilwara city as well as surrounding areas, Bhilwara city 62 tube wells have been installed in the submergence of dam but at present except for 10 tubewells all are almost dry. Main flowing river in the district is Banas river which is dry due to less rainfall in the catchment and as a consequence large numbers of tube wells sunk in Kankroliya Ghati area could not get recharged sufficiently. Still it is great picnic spot. Undeshwar Mahadev Temple is another Shiva temple that is worth visiting. Overall open throughout the year, Bhilwara is a great place to be for a weekend trio.
