Azvinacihnita

SIROHI
The Name Sirohi had been derived by "Siranwa" hills on the Western Slope of which it stands. Colonel Tod in his book "Travels in Western India" has suggested that the names of the territory might have derived from its position at the head (Sir) of the desert (Rohi), Sirohi also named as "Sword" and this had led some people to believe that this State of brave Deora Chauhans received it present name due to its wide spread fame of its Swords.In 1405, Rao Sobha Ji (Sixth in descent from Rao Deoraj, the Progenitor of the Deora Clan of Chauhans ) founded a town Shivpuri on eastern slope of Siranwa hill which is called KHUBA. Relics of the old city is found there and a pivious place of Virji is still a place of worship.
Sehastramal, the son of Rao Sobha ji founded the present city SIROHI on weatern slope and liad foundation stone of the Sirohi fort on second day of Vaisakh in the year 1482 (V.S.) i.e. 1425 (A.D.) on the top the present town of Sirohi and made it his Capital which lies on the Western Slope of the Siranwa hills, later all the area under Deoras came to be known as Sirohi. In puranic tradition this area has always been referred to as "Arbudh Pradesh".It was also sometimes known as Arbudanchal. i.e. Arbud + Anchal.


After Independence an agreement was signed between Central Government and minor ruler of Sirohi State, with this the State Administration of the Sirohi State was taken over by Bombay Government from 5th January 1949 to 25th January 1950. The first administrator representing a bombay state was Prema Bhai Patel. After final merger with Rajasthan in 1950, an area of 787 Sq. Km. consisting of Aburoad and Delwara tehsils of Sirohi district was renamed with the Bombay State on Ist Nov. 1956, after the recommendation of the State organisation Commission, which forms the present position of the district.
** Ancient History **
"SIROHI" as Colonel Mellson rightly remarked "is the one domain in Rajputana which maintained its Independence, acknowledging the suverainty of neither Mugal, Rathores, nor Maratha" . The princely house at Sirohi is an offshoot of the same branch, Chauhan, to which the last Hindu Emperor of India belchged. Historic pride Clings to masses as much as to Individuals, Condueing to honorable pride when rightly felt, and to none can it therefore cling more firmly than to "the Magnificiently Stubborn Deora," the particular seet at the Chauhans who have ruled over Sirohi during the past six centuries.Sirohi = Sir + Uhi
i.e. Sirohi means " Self Respect is most important even if head may be detached " in other words "A Rajput of Sirohi may die for Self Respect."Sirohi, is said to have taken its name from Sirohi from Siranwa hill, on the western slope at which it stands. Colonel Tod had suggested the name at the terrirory might have been derived from its position at the head (Sir) of the desert (Rohi).


It has great antiguity, a rich heritage and an exciting history, In puranic tradition, this region has always been referred to as Arbudaranya. It is belived that Rishi Vasistha retired to the southern spur at Mount Abu after his sons had been slain by Vishvamitra. Colonel Tod called the Mount Abu as the "Olympus of the Hindus" since it was the seat at a powerful kingdom in the older days. Abu formed a part of the empire of Chandra Gupta at the Mauraya dynasty, who ruled early in the 4th century B.C. The territory of the Abu passed succcessively the possesion of the khshtrapas, the Imperial Guptas, the Vaisa dynasity of which Emperor Harsha was the ornament, the Chaoras, the Solankis and the parmars. From the Parmars, the Chauhans at Jalor took the kingdom at Abu. Lumba, a scion at the younger branch of the Chauhan rulers at Jalor, Seized Abu from the Parmar king in the year 1311 A.D. and became the first king of the territory now known as the kingdom of Sirohi The famous town of Chandravati situated on the bank at the river Banas, was the capital of the kingdom and Lumba took his residence there and ruled till 1320 A.D. Rao Shiv Bhan popularly known as Shobha, the Sixth descent from Lumba, finally abandoned Chandravati and founded a town below the 'Siranwa" hill and built a fort on the top in the year 1405 A.D. The newely founded town was called Shivpuri. But the town founded by Rao Shiv Bhan was unhealthy, so, his son Rao Sahasmal abondoned it in 1425 A.D. and built the present town of Sirohi and made it the Capital of the kingdom. During the reign of Rao Sahashmall, the famous Rana Kumbha of Mewar attacked and conquered Abu, Vasanthgarh and area adjoining Pindwara. Rana Kumbha renovated a castle in Vasanthgarh and also a tank and a temple at Kumbhaswami near the shrine of Achaleshwar in the year 1452 A.D. Rao Lakha succeeded Sahashmall and tried to liberate the region at Abu with the help at Qutbuddin, the king at Gujarat who was also unfriendly with Kumbha. But Lakha failed to get his territory back.

The political awakening in Sirohi started in 1905 with the Samp sabha of Govind Guru who worked for the upliftment of the tribals of Siorhi, Palanpur, udaipur and former Idar state. In 1922 Motilal Tejawat organized Eki Movement to unit tribals at Rohida, who were opressed by a feudal lords. This movement ruthlessly by the State authorities. In 1924-1925 NAV PARAGNA MAHAJAN ASSOCIATION presented an application against unlawful LAGBAG and Tax System of Sirohi State. This was in first time that the merchants formed an association and opposed state. In 1934 SIROHI RAJYA PRAJA MANDAL was founded at Ville Parle, in Bombay under leadership of jounarlist Bhimashankar Sharma Padiv, Virdhi Shankar Trivedi Kojra and Samrathmal Singhi Sirohi. Later on Shri Gokulbhai Bhatt joined Prajamandal in 1938. He along with 7 others founded Praja Mandal at Sirohi on 22nd Jan '1939. After that all activities of freedom movement got guidance from the Indian National Congress and Praja Mandal demanded for responsible Government and Civil liberties, it resulted in the formation of popular ministry under chief ministership of Gokulbahi Bhatt. With the independance of India in 1947 the process of integration of princely states of India started. The Sirohi state was merged on 16th Nov. 1949 with Rajasthan State. Chronological Order of Kings of Sirohi of Deora Dynasity & their Achievemen`ts There are total 37 kings from Deora Dynasity had ruled Sirohi and the present Ex-King is the 38 descendent of the Deora Dynasity





Sarneshwar temple is dedicated to Lord Shiv, situated on the western slope of Siranwa hill and is now managed by Sirohi Devasthanam. It is Kuldev of Deora Clan of Chauhans of Sirohi. The temple seems to be built in Parmar Dynasty rule because its structure and layout is similar to other temples constructed by Parmar rulers. A temple may be renovated time to time but the major renovation was carried on in 16th century. In 1526 V.S. Apurva Devi, the queen of Maharao Lakha established Hanuman Idol outside the main gate of the Sarneshwar Ji. The temple was decorated by Maharao Akheyraj in 1685 V.S. In the campus of the temple there are idols of lord Vishnu, A plate consisting of 108 Shiv Lingas.
The temple is surrounded by two courtyards , one is attached to main temple and second is around the whole area, which carries Burj and Chaukis, whcih represents this temple as fort. Actually this temple is fort temple. Outside the main gate of the temple, there are three decorated huge elephants made of lime & bricks and painted with a colourful look. There was a mandakini Kund in front of the main temple, which was used by the pilgrims for taking holy bath on kartik purnima, chetra purnima and vaisakh purnima. A famous festival of Devothani Akadesi, in every Bhadrapadh month of V.S. is arranged here by the followers and on second day a huge fair of rabbaries is also celebrated, in which nobody except rabbarries is allowed. The cenotophs of the royal family is another attraction in the premises of Sarneshwar temple.


Eighteen Jain temples are situated in one single row form the temple street. Some temples are magnificant, huge and important from the architect view point. The highest temple is Chaumukha is dedicated to ADINATH, the first Tirthankar of Jain. The Structure of this temple is similar to Ranakpur standing on pillars. It is situated on western slope of the Siranwa hills and represented by 78 ft high sikhar.
The temple can be seen from very far distant from the Sriohi. Sitting on the highest top of the temple, the scene of sun-set and the natural beauty of the fields and landscape of the Sirohi city and nearby locations can be enjoyed.



Pavapuri The "Pavapuri Tirtha Dham" temple is built by charitable family of Sanghavi Poonam Chand Dhanaji Bafana's family's Trust "K.P.Sanghavi Charitable Trust".The Dhaam is constructed separated in two blocks; first one is Sumati Jeevandaya Dhaam is also named Gou-Shala and second is Pavapuri Dhaam. In Pavapuri Dhaam categorized into a Temple, Place for devotees, Mess for devotees, Dharmshala for devotees, Garden, lake etc.The total constructional land of the Pavapuri Tirtha Dhaam is 150 Bhiga. Inside the temple the main idol of Shree Shankheshwar Parshvanath the 23 lord of Jaina's is of 69 inches. The development work now being completed. The main attraction of the Dhaam is the Temple and the Toran Gate. The green gardens improving beauties of the campus.



The whole layout is mulitstep moving from low land to high pedestal representing the temple like a lion on the hillocks. The mandap of the temple and ceilling of the srangar chowki is beutifully arraged and well decorated with the Indian Iconographical presentation.
The Picture shown in the left is the front view of the main temple and photographed during the time when the construction was on verge of its completion. Pavapuri is just 22 Km away from Sirohi on Kandla Highway. It is having an excellent facilty to stay for the tourists. Bhojan shalla is also available for the Touists at nominal charges.
It is really marvaleous temple to see.



The main idol is surrounded with Ashat Pratihariya ( the 8 heroic presentation) and Panch Tirthi ( the 5 trithankar raj) established on a pedestal (Prabhashan) carved with elephants, Yakshas and Godess.
The main entrance of the Pava Puri represent three statues of the builders encestors, one of Shri Poonam Chand Ji (father) and Smt, Kani Bahen (mother), Hajarimal Ji (brother) of Shri Babu Lal Sanghvai. The symbol cow shelter ( Gau Shalla) represents on cow and calf standing in the shelter of a Kalp Vriksha. This symbol represent the managament and failities given to cows.
There are three 45 RCC sheltter house in 54 tin shade cow sheltters. Where the cattles are kept in the most hygeinic conditions and fed. The arrangement of fodder and rich fodder for cows is avialable under the supervision of the vetenary medical team and shapperds.

The whole campus is having Administrative blocks, Dharmshala (Inn), Bhojan Shala, Accomoation for saints and nuns. In middle of the campus there is an anicut which collects the rainfall water in which there is plan of building a Jal Mandir. There is good plantation of trees, flowers and ornamental plants around the wall and inside for better environmental surroundings.
More then 4500 cows are fed in the Gaushalla in the time of Scarcity and famine condition to remove the sufferings of the cows. The food and the fodder provided by the trust and kept in very suitable condition. The Photograp in the left dipicts all the facilities provided by the trust.
The main theme of this statue is the protection and providing shelter to the poor cows which are severely effected with the drought and famine conditions. The Tree on the cow represents this theme.

The photograph on the right is the site called Gaushalla. Where the poor cows are looed after in the situation of famine and scarcity conditions. Since the sirohi district badly suffering from the famine 4th conscutive year, there are presently more than 4500 cows which are fed and cared by the trust.
So, start your journey to PAVAPURI today.................thanks.........