- Location: Western India, North Eastern Gujarat in the Gujarat Rajasthan border
- Best time to visit: October to March
- Local Transport: non-metered auto rickshaws.
- Places to see: Bhawani Villa, Ambaji, Taranga
- Souvenirs: Pashmira stoles, brassware jewellery, artefacts, paintings on silk, palm leaf, paintings on cultured ivory, as also lovely paintings on sandalwood and paper.
Danta – The City’s Story
Located to the east of Palanpur in the North-eastern part of the State of Gujarat, this town lies on the border of the states Gujarat and Rajasthan and has bondings with the Royal families. The families from Rajasthan and Gujarat are bonded in this town of Danta. Situated at the foot of the Aravalli hills, the royal house was ruled by the Rajputs from Parmar. These Rajputs are said to have come in the 12th century AD from Nagar Thatta from Sindh. They established their capital at Chandravati after the Arabs conquered them in 1200 AD. They then shifted their capital to Tarsang after they fought against Alaud-Dīn Khaljī. This was a place in the Arasur hills. Tarsang is a much-discussed place because this is where the rebel Mughal king Jahangir was given shelter. The Royal rule shifted the capital to Danta some three centuries back. It is believed that the town of Danta was given to the Parmars by Goddess Ambaji.
Danta – Across the Centuries
Danta, the Goddess Bhavani gift, was the main place of the princely state of Danta till it was combined with the Indian dominion in 1948. Mahipendra the present head of the family is wedded to Maharani Chandra Kumari of Karauli. Dominated by the Bhil Tribe, down the ages Danta with its diverse flora and fauna is today running a Heritage home stay called the “Bhavani Villa Heritage Home stay”.
Danta – A Meeting Point
The lush green surroundings and the thick foliage is just the beginning of the enthralling experience called Danta. As we proceed, we find that with each turn the surprise factor in this place is intriguing. The hills, tribal villages and the Rocky Mountains offer us the breathtaking experience of viewing the best scenic beauty. The ambience and the leisurely mood that the place sets us into makes us get ready to unwind and energize ourselves with the scent of the greenery and inhale the air of warmth that is ready to embrace us.
Danta – Expedition Reserve
With its amazingly interesting history still alive in the form of the Royal families from Rajasthan and Gujarat Danta, the Royal Town has a variety of souvenirs for the tourist. The travel kitty here could get filled with the Pashmira stoles, brassware jewellery, artefacts, paintings on silk, palm leaf, paintings on cultured ivory, as also lovely paintings on sandalwood and paper. Besides, this town is famous for its paintings on ceramic items and Indian saris. The travel kitty would be overflowing once the tourist sees the local women here make beautiful handicrafts like cards to multipurpose bags. The place is also famous for its henna and mehendi work on the palms of the tourists visiting this town with enthralling magic. The traveler coming her would gasp with the kind of things offered and the tribal jewellery sort of completes his thirst for more.
Danta – Joy of Living in the City
Any tourist coming to Danta would be enthralled and struck by the sheer activity in this place. With its historical past still having links to the present, this town offers the best ambience and tales to take back. A tourists’ thirst for more and is never satiated but Danta somehow manages to quench the traveler’s thirst for the extraordinary by way of the places he sees. One could see the following places here:
Palaces
There are two palaces at the lower portion of the hill. They are higher than the town. The whole palace campus was actually enclosed in a fort with many buildings inside it. There was a huge gate leading to the inside and this was an impressive structure. The old palace still has a number of courtyards. All the courtyards are linked with the help of innumerable gates. The first court has a structure surrounding it. This was originally an administrative block. This is where the shrine of the Goddess Ambaji is located. It has been built in the Rajput style. The architecture is strictly Rajput and has been inspired from the Royal architectural style of Rajasthan. The temple actually looks more like the small Darbargadhs of Rajasthan. The lower level is opaque and plain and the top is more decorative. It has been exquisitely decorated with friezes, carved brackets and intricately carved stone lattice windows or “Jalis”. It also has parapets that are magnificently carved and decorated along with beautiful domes.
Bhavani Villa: This is presently where the Royal Family lives. It is at a higher level than the old palace. It has been built at several levels on the edge of a hill. It has wonderfully constructed domes that adorn the skyline. These domes overlook a picturesque scene of the Aravalli hills. The Dantan ruler of yore was a wildlife lover and runs a stud farm of Marwari horses here.
A part of the Bhavani villa is today a heritage hotel. It has the best facilities and attracts guests all over the world.
Temples
Ambaji Temple: This is found 22 kms from Danta. This is one of the important “Shakti Peethas” of India. It is situated in the Arasur hills. The temples do not have any idols. They instead have a “Yantra” which is inscribed in the groove. Thus, Ambaji is actually a temple town. It has a temple that is dedicated to the Goddess Ambaji. The present temple was constructed many years back but the original sculpture of the temple was maintained. Pilgrims come here in large numbers to visit the temple especially during the Navratri festival. The frontcourt “Chachar no Chowk” and the Ambaji temple is aligned with the same line of the cave at the Gabbar hill. The Gabbar hill is said to be the original abode of the Goddess Ambaji.
Kumbhariya Temple: This is found 30 kms from Danta. This is a group of Jain temples that is found from the Solanki period from 11th to 13th century. There are five temples that are dedicated to the Jain Tirthankaras. They are temples dedicated to Mahavira, Shantinath, Parshvanath, Neminath and Sambhavnath. The main feature of the temple is the main shrine in the middle of the courtyard. The courtyard is rectangular in shape. The main shrine comprises of the series of Shikharas, which are dedicated to the Jain “Tirthankaras”. There is a porch with a balcony. The balcony can be reached with the help of steps. The workmanship and the craftsmanship is so elegant here that it is very reminiscent of the Dilwara Jain temples at Mt. Abu.
Other Places:
Taranga: This is 27 km from Danta. We have the Ajitnath temple, which was built in 1166 AD. This is one of the finest and the most magnificent examples of Jain architecture. The work dates back to the Solanki period. With its ‘Shikhara’ and ‘Mandapa’ and with its pillars and brackets of marble the excellent carving is a piece of work of art to cherish.
Tarsang: This lies 32 kms from Danta. This was the previous capital and has ruins of the temples of past.
Besides these magnificent places, we also have the Rani ki Vav in Patan, the monuments at Vadnagar, the Koteshwar temple, the Modhera Sun temple to see. The marble mines and the Dharoi dam are also worth a visit. This is where the Dantiwada Agricultural University is present.
Danta – Entertainment factor
Danta, the Royal family town, thus offers the tourist the best of scenic beauty, relaxed stay and enthralling experiences. It can be furthered with a lot of adventure, exciting events and interesting places to see. The place, the ambience, the atmosphere, offer the best to remember. A tourist is filled with pride to see the country in its best glory and grandeur in Danta.
Some of the entertainment features are the horse rides across the outskirts of the town. Besides the Balaram Ambaji, wildlife sanctuary has exciting jeep drives, which give a good sight of blue bulls, jungle fowls, wild boar, peacocks, quail, jackal, wildcat, fox, hyena, leopard sloth bear and porcupine. The Patola weaving at Patan, treks, drives across the jungles, and the hamlets of the Rabari tribes along with the tribal fairs or “Melas” are worth the visit. Cycling across the jungles is an experience to remember.
As we leave the place, we think, “Danta is where adventure is”.
