Mandsaur

About:

Mandsaur district forms a part of Malwa region, and is bounded by four districts of Rajasthan, namely Chittorgarh in the west and north, Bhilwara in the north, Kota in the north-east and Jhalawar in the east while Ratlam district of Madhya Pradesh touches it in the south. It is a part of Ujjain division. The district headquarters are located at Mandsaur town.

Mandsaur is a district of historical heritages. The district is widely visited by tourists from all parts of the country. The temple of Lord Pashupatinath located on the banks of Shivna is the most important hrine in Mandsaur. Its idol is similar to that in Nepal.
Mandsaur is rich in archaeological and historical heritage. But what makes it famous is the temple of Lord Pashupatinath located on the bank of shivna. Its idol has parallel only in Nepal . The most common language is Malwi ( Rajasthani and Hindi Mixed ). It is also famous for large production of Opium around the world. The slate pencil industry is the main industry of the district.

The District is an average size district of Madhya Pradesh. It extends for about 142 km. from north to south and 124 km. from east to west. The total area is 5521 sq. km. with a population of 1183274 in 2001. The Scheduled Castes population of the District is 212262, Scheduled Tribes 37526.The District is bounded by four Districts of Rajasthan, namely Chittorgarh in the west and north,Bhilwara in north, Kota in the north-east and Jhalawar in the east while Ratlam District of Madhya Pradesh bounds it in the South.

The District takes its name from the headquarters town, Mandsaur. It is considered to have been evolved from Marhsaur, originating from Marh and Saur (or Dasaur, two of the villages which merged in the town.The District is divided into four sub divisions and six tehsils. The sub divisional head quarters are at Mandsaur,Malhargarh,Sitamau and Garoth.Among the tehsils, Malhargarh and Mandsaur lie in the west,arranged from north to south.Similarly Suwasra Bhanpura, Garoth and Sitamau lie in the eastern part.

Location info:

Climate/Weather:

The climate of this district is generally dry except in south-west monsoon. Year may be divided in to four seasons. The cold season is from December to February. This is followed by the hot season from March to the middle of June. Thereafter the south west monsoon season starts and continues upto about the middle of September.

RAINFALL

The average annual rainfall in the District is 786.6 mm. The rainfall in the Districts in the region round about Sitamau- Mandsaur- Malhargarh , and in general increases in the northern part of the District from the west towards the east. The heaviest rainfall in 24 hours recorded at any station in the District was 323.9 mm. at Garoth on1945 June 29.

TEMPERATURE

In District there is rapid increase in temperatures after February . May is generally the hottest month with the mean daily maximum temperature at 39.80 C. and the mean daily minimum at 25.40 C. Days are intensely hot in summer and hod dust-laden winds which below during this sesson add to the discomfort. On individual days in the summer sesson and in June bebore the onset of the monsoon the day temperatures often go up above 450 C.

January is the coldest month with the mean daily maximum temperature at 35.00 C. and mean daily minimum at 9.30 C.

History of Mandsaur

Mahabharata period

Vaisampayana said,"I shall now recite to you the deeds and triumphs of Nakula, and how that exalted one conquered the direction that had once been subjugated by Vasudeva. The intelligent Nakula, surrounded by a large host, set out from Khandavaprastha for the west, making this earth tremble with the shouts and the leonine roars of the warriors and the deep rattle of chariot wheels. The hero first assailed the mountainous country called Rohitaka that was dear unto (the celestial generalissimo) Kartikeya and which was delightful and prosperous and full of kine and every kind of wealth and produce. The encounter the son of Pandu had with the Mattamyurakas of that country was fierce. And the illustrious Nakula after this, subjugated the whole of the desert country and the region known as Sairishaka full of plenty, as also that other one called Mahetta. And the hero had a fierce encounter with the royal sage Akrosa. The son of Pandu left that part of the country having subjugated the Dasarnas, the Sivis, the Trigartas, the Amvashtas, the Malavas, the five tribes of the Karnatas, and those twice born classes that were called the Madhyamakeyas and Vattadhanas. Making circuitous journey that bull among men then conquered the (Mlechcha) tribes called the Utsava-sanketas."
Aulikaras of Dashapura

Epigraphical discoveries have brought to light two ancient royal houses, who call themselves as Aulikaras and ruled from Dashapura (present-day Mandsaur). The first dynasty, who ruled from Dashapura from the beginning comprised the following kings in the order of succession: Jayavarma, Simhavarma, Naravarma, Vishvavarma and Bandhuvarma. Bandhuvarma was contemporary of Kumaragupta I. There is an inscription about Bandhuvarma at Mandsaur. The silk workers had constructed a Sun temple here which was repaired by Bandhuvarma in Samvat 493 (436 CE). This indicates that he was present there till 436 CE. The Risthal stone slab inscription discovered in 1983 has brought to light another Aulikara dynasty, which comprised the following kings in the order of succession: Drumavardhana, Jayavardhana Ajitavardhana, Vibhishanavardhana, Rajyavardhana and Prakashadharma. After Parakshadharma, the ruler of Mandsaur was Yashodharma, who is identified with Vishnuvardhana, who erected a pillar of victory at Bayana due to which Bayana’s name became Vijaygarh. In all probabilities, he was the son and immediate successor of Prakashadharma.[2] Yashodharma Vishnuvardhana assumed the title of Samrat after he occupied the territories of Bandhuvarma. It is also mentioned that Yashodharma Vishnuvardhana had assumed the title of ‘Maharajadhiraja’ or Emperor.

Yashodharman rule:
Sondani is a small village at a distance of about 4 km from Mandsaur situated on Mahu-Nimach National Highway towards Mahu. Two monolith pillars were erected here by King Yasodharman in 528 AD with inscription which describe his exploits including victory over Hunas. Excavations by the Indian Archaeology Department show that these pillars are lying at their original site. Nearby was discovered a double head of stone with two faces of lions looking in opposite directions. It was probably the crowning piece of one of the pillars.

Each pillar is of height 40 feet, girth 3.5 feet and weighs 200 ton. The inscription bears verses composed by the poet Vasula, the son of Kakka. This eulogy has been engraved by Govinda. The composition is in Sanskrit language and script is north Indian brahmi.Nagappa and Dasappa were two south Indian artisans who gave shape to these pillars. These pillars were discovered by British officer Sulvin in 1875. John F. Fleet discovered their other pieces. In 1921 Shri V.S. Garde, Director Archaeology Gwalior state, made a terrace and put these pillars over it.

Dilawar Khan Ghauri

The Mandsaur city is situated on the border of Malwa and Mewar and as such is strategically very important. After the attack of Timur, the Delhi Sultanate became weak. Dilawar Khan Ghauri was governor of the Malwa province of central India during the decline of the Delhi Sultanate. Dilawar Khan declared himself Sultan of Malwa in 1401, and passed the kingdom to his son Hoshang Shah upon his death. Thus he had practically come to Mandu in 1401 as the first King of Malwa. Dilawar had also shifted the capital from Dhar to Mandu, renaming it Shadiabad, the city of joy. The successor of Dilawar Khan Gauri was Hushang Shah Gori (1405-1435), who constructed fort at strategically important Mandsaur city to strengthen his north-west boundary.

In 1519 Rana Sanga occupied the fort and appointed Ashokmal Rajput as its Kiledar. In 1535 Humayun also stayed here for few months during his Malwa expedition. During Sher Shah period Sadar Khan was appointed its Kiledar. During the reign of Akbar Mandsaur got the status of sarkar. In 1733 the Malwa subedar of Mughals Sawai Jaisingh attacked the fort but was defeated by Marathas and the fort went to Marathas. The historically most important event in the fort was the treaty of 1818 between Tantiya Jog senapati of Malhar Rao Holkar II and Sir John Malcum under which Malwa came in occupation of British rule. There are two gardens in which there is a pillar of torandwar. It is believed to be pillar of Surya Mandir of the inscription of Bandhu Varma. There is a Shiva statue also in the garden.

Hinglajgarh or Hinglaj Fort is an ancient fort situated near village Navali in Bhanpura tehsil of Mandsaur district in Madhya Pradesh. Its coordinates are Latitude 25°30' N and Longitude 65°31' E. It is situated at a distance of 165 km from Mandsaur town and 26 km from Bhanpura town in Madhya Pradesh. This fort has been at its peak of grandeur during Parmara rule. There are many artistic sculptures of various periods in this fort. The Nandi and Uma-Maheshwar sculptures were sent from here to France and Washington for display in India festivals and left a mark at International levels.The Hinglajgarh had been centre of excellence in craftmanship of sculptures for about 800 years. The statues recovered from this fort are from Guptas period to Parmara period. The most ancient statues are from 4-5th century AD.

In 19th century before India's independence in 1947, Madsaur was part of the princely state of Gwalior. It gave its name to the treaty with the Holkar Maharaja of Indore, which concluded the Third Anglo-Maratha War and the Pindari War in 1818. At the turn of the 20th century it was a centre of the Malwa opium trade

Educational Institutions in Mandsaur:

* School:

1. St. Thomas Convent School
2. Dashpur Vidhya Mandir
3. Vatsalya public School
4. Central School
5. Dashpur Vidyalaya
6. Saraswati shishu mandir
7. National English School
8. Subhash english school

* Engineering College: Mandsaur Institute of Technology

* Pharmacy Colleges:

1. B.R.Nahata College of Pharmacy (http://www.brncop.org/).
2. Mandsaur Institute of Pharmacy.

* Law college: JL Nehru Law College.

Langauges:

Culture:

Mandsaur is famous in Poppy’s production. Huge mines of rocky stone and lime stone are available within the District. There is high production of Slates Pencils which is created by rocky stone . There are 110 Slate Pencils Industries. Mandsaur is noted for the manufacture of Kambals or coarse wollen blankets.

How to reach Mandsaur?

Nearest Railway Station:

Mandsaur is at a distance of 85 Km from Shamgarh and Ratlam – located on the Delhi-Bombay rail route of Western Railway. These two stations are well connected by direct trains to Bhopal, Nagpur, Chennai, Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, and Agra.

The major trains passing from Mandsaur are:-

* Ajmer/Udaipur-Bandra Terminus SF Express
* Indore-Udaipur Express
* Ratlam-Ajmer Express (Night)
* Ratlam-Ajmer Expess
* Ratlam-Chittaurgarh Express
* Ratlam-Agra Fort Express
* Local: Auto and Tempo are main source of local transport in Mandsaur

Distance from Mandsaur :-

Indore - 210 Km
Ujjain - 185 Km
Udaipur - 185 Km
Bhopal - 375 Km
Delhi - 700 Km
Bombay - 700 Km
Jaipur - 400 Km
Baroda - 330 Km

Road Transport:

Mandsaur is located on the Mhow-Neemuch State Highway and Khandwa -Ajmer section of Western railway. There are frequent bus services from Mandsaur to different parts of the state.

Tourist Attraction of Mandsaur:

Mandsaur and its neighborhood are full of places of tourist interest. An inscription discovered near the town indicated the erection of a temple of the sun in 437, and at Sondani are two great monolith pillars recording a victory of Yasodharman, king of Malwa, in 528. The fort dates from the 14th and 15th centuries. Hindu and Jain remains are numerous, though the town is predominantly Muslim.

Mandsaur is also famous for Pashupatinath Temple, a Hindu temple situated on the banks of the Shivana river. Pashupatinath Temple is one of the prominent shrines in Mandsaur of Madhya Pradesh. Lord Shiva in the form of Lord Pashupatinath is the principal deity here. The highlight is a unique Shivling with eight faces of Lord Shiva. The shrine has four doors in four directions.

1. Lord Pashupatinath Temple, Mandsaur.

2. Chandwasa- Dharmarajeshwar, Garoth

3. Bahi Parashnath Jain Temple, Pipliya Mandi.

4. Hinglajgarh, Hill Fort Bhanpura.

5. Gandhi Sagar Dam,Bhanpura

Temple of Lord Pashupatinath:

Mandsaur’s main attraction is lord Pashpupatinath temple. Pashpupatinath is synonymous name of lord shiva. This artistic effigy is built-up smooth, glowingly dark coppery fiery rock-block. The temple is situated at the bank of Shivana river.

Its weight is 4600 kg. Hight 7.25 ft.in curvature and 11.25 ft. in straight. It has 8 heads they are divided in two part. First part in 4 heads on the top and second part in 4 head bottom. Top 4 heads are clear, refined and coplete then 4 bottom heads are not refined.

This temple have four doors in the four directions but enterance door is situated in the west.This effigy’s heads which is situated in the west are presenting fearful image of lord shiva.This heads make-up indicate three ras (relish) which is in bun-shaped hair with poisonous snakes, emerging third eye and opened underlip.In the centre tangled hair are surrounding snakes that is acquainted annihilation omkar (veda mantras symbolising God almighty)

GANDHI SAGAR DAM:

Gandhisagar Dam is situated at a distance of 168 Km. from the District headquarter. The Dam is constructed on the Chambal River. Foundation stone for the construction of Gandhi Sagar Dam / Power Station in the District was laid by the Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru on the 7th March, 1954. The work was started in 1957 in the power station, while power generation and its distribution commenced in November, 1960. The total expenditure on the construction of Gandhi Sagar Dam and Power Station was about Rs. 18 Crores 40 Lakhs. The expenditure on construction of Power Station was Rs. 4 Crores 80 Lakhs.

Gandhi Sagar Power Station is 65 meter long and 56 feet wide. The Power Station has five turbines of 23 M.W. capacity, thus having a total installed capacity of 115 M.W.

The Gandhi Sagar Power Station now supplies electricity throghout the District. Besides meeting the power requirements in the District, electricity from this power house is supplied to such far off places in the Madhya Pradesh and in Rajasthan state.

Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation in Mandsaur:

Hotel Rameshwaram

Hotel Bharat Palace

Hotel Jaishri