Click to learn more about Mahanal Temples and Math.
Ghatapallava Pillars, Mahanal Temples and Math
Garbhagriha, Mahanal Temples and Math, Menal
Click to learn more about Mahanal Temples and Math, Menal.
About: Mahanal Temples and Math, Menal (11th Century A.D.)
महानाल मंदिर और मठ, मेनाल
शिव को समर्पित, महानाल का यह मंदिर (लगभग 11वीं शताब्दी ई.) चाहमानों के शासनकाल के दौरान शैव धर्म का एक महान केंद्र था जहां यह भव्य मंदिर भूमिजा शैली में बनाया गया है। इसका उल्लेख बिजोलिया रॉक शिलालेख (1170 ई.) में एक तीर्थ स्थान के रूप में किया गया है, मंदिर में एक गर्भगृह, एक अंतराल, समवरण छत वाला एक रंगमंडप और सामने एक नंदी मंडप के साथ एक छोटा बरामदा है। मंदिर के बाहरी भाग पर उत्कीर्ण मूर्तियां उच्च कोटि की हैं।
मुख्य मंदिर के उत्तर-पश्चिम में दो छोटे मंदिर (लगभग 8वीं शताब्दी ई.) गणेश और गौरी को समर्पित हैं। हाइपोस्टाइल भवन का निर्माण शिव मठ के रूप में किया गया था जिसमें शानदार ढंग से अलंकृत घटपल्लव स्तंभ हैं। एक शिलालेख से पता चलता है कि इस मठ का निर्माण 1169 ई. में चाहमान राजा पृथ्वीराज द्वितीय (1164-69 ई.) के शासनकाल के दौरान एक तपस्वी भावब्रह्मा द्वारा किया गया था। धारा के उस पार स्थित मंदिर का निर्माण चाहमान राजा पृथ्वीराज द्वितीय की पत्नी सुहिया देवी ने करवाया था।
(English to Hindi Translation by Google Translate)
Click to learn more about Mahanal Temples and Math, Menal.
Bundi to Menal Distance by Road and Driving Directions
Bundi to Mahanal Temples and Math, Menal is 70 km approx. famous for temples and close to the temples is a waterfall (rainy season). The rainy water falls from a height of 100-150 feet.
Bundi > Megharawat Ki Jhopdia (29 km)
Megharawat Ki Jhopdia > Bijolia (22 km)
Bijolia > National Highway 76 (3 km)
National Highway 76 > Mahanal Temples and Math, Menal (18 km)
I and Ashok Ji – The guide started the journey at 8:15 morning hours by Royal Enfield Thunderbird Twinspark motorbike from Bundi passing through Chittor Road Chauraha, Ramnagar, Neem Ka Kheda, Megharawat Ki Jhopdia reached Mahanal Temples and Math, Menal at 10:30 am. In between the journeys, I stopped at Megharawat Ki Jhopdia for tea at Ram Ratan shop.
Two hours approx. is the total travel time from Bundi to Mahanal Temples and Math, Menal. Road condition – OK.
Note: If you are passing via National Highway 76 you can stop to visit as it is very close to the highway.
Reservoir nearby Bharkiya Mata ji Temple, Bhopatpura
48 km approx. from Bundi is Bharkiya Mata Ji temple which is famous among locals for its waterfall during the rainy season. All you have to do is to follow the Bhimlat route but instead of turning for Bhimlat Waterfall continue driving straight towards Bijolia till you reach Bhopatpura. At Bhopatpura there is a left turn towards Bharkiya Mata Ji temple. 3 km further driving and a right turn for another 2 km drive within no man’s land to reach the waterfall but remember to reach this location you need a guide as I reached there because Ashok Ji is a local guide. But again this waterfall is only during the rainy season. When I was there it was totally dry except for a reservoir and no one was present except Ashok Ji and me. While returning we lost the way within no man’s land but chasing our own motorbike tyres marks we reached the main road.
What is the Distance between Bundi to Jaipur?
During my visit for lunch at Shiv Vatika Dhaba, National Highway, Bundi, I saw a distance display board stating the distance between Bundi to Jaipur by road – 210 km.
Lunch at Shiv Vatika Highway Dhaba
The morning was nice as I had a nice desi breakfast. For lunch, I discussed with Guddu Ji – a friend where to take lunch?
His son suggested – Shiv Vatika Dhaba, National Highway.
The next day or maybe a day later I was at Shiv Vatika having Kadhi, Bhindi Pyaz, and Tandoori Roti with butter and later tea. Food is indeed the best, but another the best I found is handmade manji (cot). A dhaba without manji is not a highway dhaba. Am I right?
I like such dhabas. To reach you have to come out of Bundi, and turn towards Jaipur on the National Highway about 500 meters driving on the left-hand side is Shiv Vatika Dhaba.
Menu + Bill I paid:
One Mineral Water Bottle – Rs. 15
One Kadhi – Rs. 40
One Bhindi – Rs. 40
Four Roti – Rs. 28
One Tea – Rs. 7
Total – Rs. 130
Saffron Rasmalai – I Just Taste for the First Time
200 meters further driving after having Kachori at Chotulal Namkeen Center, Sadar Bazar we were at Suryamall Chauraha.
Shree Jodhpur Misthan Bhandhar
Rasmalai – The request.
One for self and one for Ashok ji.
To be honest I am a foodie person having sweet tooth and mostly homemade food I prefer. A few times it is not possible to stop myself to eat out, especially if the shop is locally famous in a smaller town and especially if it is a sweet shop.
Rasmalai – saffron I am sure is there. A great way to end breakfast. Delicious. Very nice. Thank you – said I.
Pyaz ki Kachori for Breakfast at Chotulal Namkeen Center
Rajasthan no doubt is having one of the best food in India. The day I reached Bundi, I was thinking about the same. The desire was passed to Ashok Ji to guide to show the most famous eating joints in Bundi.
Early morning hours Ashok Ji and I driving Royal Enfield Thunderbird Twinspark motorbike towards Sadar Bazar.
Chotulal Namkeen Center
Pyaz Ki Kachori / Urad Dal Ki Kachori
Three types of chatni – Lahsun (garlic), Meethi, Teekhi
Rs. 10 paid for one Pyaz Ki Kachori. Lahsun ki chatni – preferred. Little spicy but khasta. 7:30 morning hours people were lined up to have one or two Kachori/s. One was not enough, I order one more. If I remember correctly, this was the first time since I was born having Pyaz Kachori and with no doubt, I have to say you should try the same. The taste is as fresh as it was – remembering while writing. If you are visiting Bundi, do not miss Pyaz Kachori. He also makes Udad Dal Ki Kachori. As the nashta was spicy tea or some sweetness was necessary. Any good sweet shop – I question.