Baggar Shekawati in Rajasthan,tourist spot in shekawati rajasthan & wild life, national parks and palaces in rajasthan

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Baggar

Baggar is one of the oldest and prominent towns of Shekhawati region in Rajasthan. Situated on the Sikar-Loharu State Highway between District Headquarter Jhunjhunu and Chirawa. Baggar is very well connected by road & rail with both Delhi and Jaipur. With a population of just around 15,000 people, Baggar boasts of a strength of about 8,000 students, which shows that Baggar is a major education centre in the region, with students from all over Rajasthan, Haryana & Punjab studying in the various schools and colleges. Piramal girls school is very popular boarding school of this town. Some of the other institutions are B.L.Sec.Sr. School, Shivonker Maheshwari Technical Institute & Krishna Devi Maheshwari Pharmacy College, Seth GDSB Patwari College & Sanskrit College.

Baggar is also known for its "Rani Sati Temple". When kingdoms were invaded by intruders, who wanted to kill, loot, plunder & take women from the kingdoms after killing the men & soldiers, the widows would either sit on their husband's pyre and be burnt to die. This was done by royal ladies in Rajasthan, even in anticipation of their husband's likely death. Rani Sati was the first to do this. This way of death is known as "Sati" and is totally banned, illegal and unaccepted in modern India.

Baggar has produced many top industrialist, like, Roongtas, Piramals, Maheshwaris etc. It is known for the Piramal Haveli with amazing fresco paintings. One of these fresco painting is done on the Ceiling of the main hall in Piramal Haveli. It shows the Sun God on a chariot pulled by Seven Horses. The amazing thing about this fresco is that, wherever you look it from, it seems that the horses are heading towards you. The Piramal Haveli is now used as a heritage hotel. Bagar is very peaceful and a pollution free town.

Rajasthan, which literally means "land of the Kings", is home to the Rajput clan. Which mostly include former rulers of this princely state and it's fearless warriors. The locals of Rajasthan are divided into birth-based castes and sub-castes which, usually determined one's profession. Rajputs follow the Vedic religion and worship Surya (sun), Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu (The Protector or Savior). In Baggar, this caste system remains a very influential part of society but does not play as crucial of a role in deciding one's occupation as it once had. The 95% Hindu population also worship Lord Brahma (The Creator) & Goddess Shakti (Power).

The most famous community of Baggar, consists of the Marwaris. Mainly, these people have occupations in trading and business. Sub-castes of Marwaris include Mahajans, Sarawagis, Porals, Shrimals, Shrishrimals, Agarwals, Maheshwaris, Sunlas, Bohres, Pheriwalas, Baldias and Lohias. Many of these families have migrated to cities or large trading centers and come back to Baggar to visit and help contribute to its booming education industry, festivals and religious ceremonies.

The women of Baggar are proof, when they say "Rajasthan is home to the most beautifully crafted and unique jewelry in India". Many important precious and semi precious stones come from this area. Most of this jewelry is made of silver, lac (baked clay) work, kundan work, minakari work and gold enamel.

Silver jewelry can be bought in Baggar at a number of shops. The most famous jewelry market in the state of Rajasthan is called the Johari Bazaar in Jaipur, which is about 4 hours from Baggar.

Silver Anklets are very popular as jewelry for the women of Baggar and often have small bells attached that make lovely sound when they walk. Another unique piece of jewelry seen in Baggar is called the Rakhdi mostly made of gold worn down the center of a woman's head. Tussi (necklaces) and Gokhrus (bracelets) are also very popular with the women of this area.

Mehendi (henna) of Baggar is very popular in India. Prepared by grinding the dry henna leaves into a very fine powder eventually making a paste. This paste is applied to the hands and feet of females using a cone or matchstick in beautiful designs. Once it has dried, the paste is peeled off and leaves a beautiful red color on the skin. In India they believe, the redness of this mehendi, determines the depth of love, of one's husband. This is the main reason that the Mehendi found here is in great demand, as it leaves a much darker colour than Mehendi from most other regions. Mehendi is applied in various forms of design, a few of the are, the chowk (literally meaning courtyard), the chopper (dice game, symbolic of marital love), lahriya (waves), and beejani (fan).

One of the most popular aspects of Baggar cuisine are its the milk-based sweets and barfis. In every meal, your host would offer you butter-milk. Curds (yogurt) are a must with every meal. This could be as a raita (with diced vegetables or bundi).

The Marwaris of Baggar use many unique spices including herbs like mango powder (amchur), mustard seeds (rai) and hing. They stored dried fruits and nuts such as almonds and cashews for garnishing their puddings.

Stuffed peppers are eaten as a side to add flavor to meals. To make these, green peppers that are longer and more stout are plucked. They are then stuffed with a ground mixture of mustard seeds (rai), fennel seeds (saunf) and salt (namak). They are then'baked' in the sun for a few days, either in mustard oil or in their own brine. Every household has it's own special ingredient added to provide that unique taste.

Piramal Haveli: This was the home of Seth Piramal Chaturbhuj Makharia (1892-1958) whose fortune was made in Bombay, trading in cotton, opium, silver and other commodities. Built in the Rajasthani-colonial style of the 1920's, The Piramal Haveli is an 8-room'non-hotel.' It is 250 kms.from Delhi and 100 kms. from Neemrana and is run by the same management.

Here, the famed traditional vegetarian cuisine of the Marwaris is served in thalis.Dinners on the sand dunes can also be arranged at a prior notice, for a minimum of 6 guests.The region of Shekhavati, where The Piramal Haveli is located, was made into an independent kingdom in 1471 by Rao Shekha (1433-1488), till 1738, when it reverted back to the Jaipur State. The Haveli has traditional courtyards enclosed by colonial pillared corridors. Frescoes of flying angels and gods in motor cars adorn the walls.

Shivonkar Maheshwari Technical Institute: Government aids 80% of all expenses for the school. It is co-educational and has about 400 students. The campus is located on a 12 acre land, on the main Sikar-Loharu State Highway. It has an independent building with workshops, hostel, and staff quarters. The entire cost of the institute has been borne by Jyoti Maheshwari Foundation without any aid or loan from Govt., Bank or Financial Institution. The sole motto of the college is to provide quality education to the deserving students at no profit no loss basis.

Places to stay: Castle Mandawa. The Desert Resort Jai Niwas Resort Heritage Mandawa Hotel Mandawa Haveli

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