Activities

This is to bring to your notice, a property named Piplia Fort, located in Madhya Pradesh. (33 Km from Nimach District(State Highway number-SH 31A) and 50 Km from Rajasthan State Border, enroute Chittorgarh (NH-79).

For driving freaks, there is a good reason for you to hit the road and plan a trip to this place as the new National State Highway NH-79(Four-Lane) has been completed from Madhya Pradesh-Rajasthan State Border at Naya-Gaon (M.P.) till Nimach bypass.

People who want to rejuvenate and take a break from their busy and demanding city lives should consider this place.


As for some activities here :

1. There are varieties of birds to watch within the premises of the fort and the natural surroundings and farm fields of the village.
2. A walk to the local artisans, craftsman, potters in the village to learn how it is done and gain hands-on experience.
3. An evening tea/coffee at 375year old Laxminarayan and Shiva Temple, which boasts of ancient stone carvings depicting the life of that era, on the same lines as The Khajuraho Temples. The Temple historically known as Kund has beautiful symmetrical steps going downwards from all four sides to a water reservoir adding to its beauty.
4. A 5 minutes drive to the residing family's farm to unwind and bask in the peace and tranquility. Also, a walk in the 200acres of farm to enjoy cultivation, sowing, irrigation of Rabi crops (Wheat, Gram, Mustard, Barley etc.) and Kharif crops(Maize, Soyabean, Onion Seeds, Ashwagandha (a herbal plant)), (depending on the time of visit). Note: Authorized farming of Opium on display for the guests to enjoy (December -February).
5. An evening performance of Gher (a folk dance), performed by the local tribal men using sticks on the beats of the drum, in the fort.
6. Be a part of various traditional festivities and functions that the residing family performs during the festivals throughout the year.

How to Reach Piplia?

1. Air: Udaipur Airport (145Km, 2hrs 30min away).
2. Train:
a. Nimach: 35Km (Half an hour away).
b. Chittorgarh: 70Km (1hr 30min away).

Pick up from the above mentioned places can be arranged on request at a nominal cost.

Note: People wanting to come by their own vehicles from New Delhi, the route is:

(NH-79)
New Delhi – Jaipur – Kishangarh (By-pass) – Bhilwara – Chittorgarh - Nimach (By-pass) - Piplia Fort (SH31A). (Total- 600Km, approx.)

Nearby Attractions:

There are various places to visit, most of which are religious, but also includes Dams and a Sanctuary.

1. Nava Toran Temple

A Shiva Temple at Khor near Vikram Cement is an important Eleventh Century temple which consists of nine decorative arches arranged in two rows, one length wise and the other width wise crossing each other at the centre and supported on a pair of pillars in the hall and porches. The temple is decorated with leaf shaped borders, heads of Makaras, garland bearers, etc. The statue of Vahara is at the centre of the temple.

Distance from Piplia Fort: 60km (1hour).

2. Sukhanandji Ashram. (M.P.)
A beautiful Shiva Temple in the centre of an ancient rock-cave. This place is site of a scenic beauty. There is a spring of perennial water through the rocks. It is said to be found by Sukadev Muni, the son of Vedavyasa (also known as Sri Suka, Sukadev and Brahmarata).

Distance from Piplia Fort: 70km (1 hr, 30min) (20km from Nava Toran Temple).
Direction from PipliaFort: North.


3. Gandhisagar Dam (M.P.)
It is the first of the four dams built on the Chambal River. It is a 64meter high masonry gravity dam, with a live storage capacity of 6920Mm3 and a catchment area of 22,584 Km2. The dam was completed in the year 1960. The Hydro-power station comprises of five generating units of 23MW capacity each. The water released after power generation is utilized for irrigation through Kota Barrage.

Distance from Piplia Fort: 80Km (1hr, 30min)
Direction from PipliaFort: East.

4. Pashupatinath Temple, Mandsaur.(M.P.)
It is a famous Hindu temple of Lord Pashupatinath. Situated on the banks of the Shivna River, Pashupatinath Temple is one of the prominent shrines in the city of Mandsaur in Madhya Pradesh. Lord Shiva in the form of Pashupatinath is the principal deity here. The highlight is a unique Shiv Ling with eight faces of Lord Shiva. The shrine has four doors in four directions.

The Shiv Ling in the temple is 2.5 x 3.2 meters (8' x 10.5') and weighs 4,665.525kg (4.6 tons). It is said that the Shiv Ling emerged from the waters of the Shivna on Monday, which is considered as an auspicious day by the devotees of Lord Shiva. On Sunday, it reached the Tapeshwar Ghat of the river and was placed there. On Monday, after exactly, 21 years, 5 months and 4 days it was incarnated. The day of incarnation of the idol is celebrated as a Mela in the area surrounding the temple.

The temple built on the river is 90 feet (27.6m) long, 30 feet (9.2m) wide and 101 feet (31m) tall. On top of the temple is a 100kg (45.5kg) gold plated pitcher. Every monsoon the water level in the Shivna River rises to touch the holy Shiv Ling of lord Shiva. This phenomenon is termed as "Jalaabhishek" which means worshiping god through water.

Distance from Piplia Fort: 70Km (1 hr).
Direction from PipliaFort: South.

5. Chittorgarh Fort, Rajasthan

The Chittorgarh Fort is seated on a 180 meter hill, covers an expanse of 700 acres. It was constructed by the Mauryans in the 7th century AD. There is also a belief that it was constructed by Bhima of the Pancha Pandavas. This fort was the citadel of many great Rajput warriors such as Rana Kumbha, Maharana Pratap, Jaimal, Patta, etc.

a) Kalika Mata Temple: This temple was originally built in the 8th century for Sun God and was later converted to a temple for mother Goddess, Kali in the 14th century.

b) Vijay Stambh: It is a huge nine storey tower which was built by Maharana Kumbha to commemorate his victory over the Muslim rulers of Malwa and Gujarat in 1440. The tower is 122 ft high and stands on a 10 ft high base. There are sculptures and carvings on the exterior walls of the tower. The tower is visible from any section of the town below. And from the tower top after climbing 157 steps, there is a great view of the surroundings. The inside walls of the tower are carved with images of Gods, weapons, etc.

c) Kirti Stambh: This tower is dedicated to Adinathji, the first of the Jain Thirthakaras. It was built by a merchant and is decorated with figures form the Jain pantheon.

d) Rana Kumbha's Palace: It is near the Vijay Stambh. This is the birthplace of Maharana Udai Singh the founder of Udaipur. His life was saved by the heroic act of the maid Panna Dhay, who replaced her son in place of the prince & consequently her son was killed by Banbir. She carried the prince away to safety in a fruit basket. Rani Meera Bai also lived in this palace. This is the place where Rani Padmini committed jauhar with the other ladies in one of the underground cellars.

e) Rani Padmini's Palace: This is the palace from which Alauddin was allowed to watch a reflection of the Rani.

I hope the above mentioned information is useful for you. If there is more that you would prefer to know, please contact at the following address:

Pushpendra Singh Shaktawat,

C/O Kunwar Digvijay Singh ji Shaktawat,
The Fort: Piplia Raoji,
District: Nimach,
Tehsil: Manasa,
Madhya Pradesh
458110

Tel: 0091 7421-248239
Mobile: 0091 9649798367
Alternate Mobile: 0091 9716499125 (Narendra Singh Shaktawat).
E-mail address: pipliafort@gmail.com