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About
Kuldhara |
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Kuldhara was the name of the largest village in this community
consisting of 84 villages. The village was established in 1291
by the Paliwal Brahmins and was a rather prosperous community
due to their ability to grow bumper crops in the quite arid
desert. Kuldhara is a peaceful place and the ruins found
around are examples of advanced sculpture and architecture.
Most of the houses are double storied and are not affected by
thunder or heat. Paliwals deserted theses houses due to
several reasons. Their one time richness can be seen in the
temples, water tanks, wells and cenotaphs. Paliwal Brahmins
were very wealthy people and were known for their business
expertise and agricultural knowledge. But one night in 1825
all the people in Kuldhara and nearby 83 villages vanished in
dark.
The evil dewan or the minister in the ruling kingdom saw the
young daughter of the village chief. He wanted to marry her
and forced the village chief for marrying his daughter. He
gave them a deadline for the marriage after which he would
forcefully enter the village and take their daughter. All the
chiefs of 84 villages met one night and for pride and honor
decided to leave the villages in the dark of the night. |
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Location of Kudhara Village |
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Kudhara Village is situated about 15 kms. west of Jaisalmer a
city in western Rajasthan lies the ruins of a village which was
called Kuldhara. The first sight of Kuldhara village, more a
town actually, sends one imagination running to the time it may
have been inhabited. A well planned settlement, the straight and
wide streets ran in grids with houses opening into them. All
design elements kept both artistics and utility in mind. A kind
of a garage opened into the streets to park carts in. Temples,
step wells and other structures were all signs of sound
development over the centuries. |
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History of Kuldhara Village |
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Kuldhara village near Jaisalmer has a very unique history.
Kuldhara village is a haunted location and it is considered that
it is impossible to spend a whole night in the village. It is
said that the residents of 84 neighboring villages including
Kuldhara vacated the villages overnight around 170 years back!!
No one is sure where they have gone, but they are believed to
have migrated to a place somewhere near Jodhpur. The residents
were Paliwal Brahmans — said to be very intelligent, and
residing there for about 500 years. So what made them do such an
act? Stories say that the ruler of these villages pounded the
Paliwals with heavy taxes and treated them very cruelly; the
ruler was unethical and powerful to them. And the other version
is that the ruler wanted to marry a brahim girl and just to save
that girl & her family, all the villagers left the village one
single night. They had no other alternative, but to vacate all
the 84 villages overnight and just disappear from the vision and
reach of the ruler. The brave, self-respecting village folks
collectively took the decision. They packed up all their
belongings, abandoned their homes and left Kuldhara overnight.
When the Paliwals left the villages, they left a curse that
nobody can inhabit the villages ever. Residents of Jaisalmer say
that there have been some attempts by some families to stay
there, but they did not succeed. There are still some double
storeyed houses that are integral and the fascinated tourist can
well visualise how life went on in Kuldhara, ages ago.
It is also believed that who so ever pick even a stone or pebble
from there, it will bring him curse. The houses of the village
are big enough and still at many of the houses there are
utensils left in their kitchen. Kuldhara is an old city with so
many secrets! |
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How To Reach Kuldhara Village |
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Kuldhara village is 18 km to the west of Jaisalmer and can be
accessed by a cab from Jaisalmer. Jaisalmer is well connected by
air, rail and by road.
By Rail
Jaisalmer is connected to major cities of India through broad
gauge as well as meter gauge railway tracks. Direct trains to
Jaisalmer are available from Jodhpur as well as Delhi. Jaisalmer
is connected through both 'Broad gauge' as well as 'Meter gauge'
tracks. One can also travel to Jaisalmer by Palace on Wheels.
By Road
Jaisalmer is well connected to the rest of state by
well-maintained roads. Deluxe & Ordinary buses of Rajasthan
Roadways & Private companies operate form Jaisalmer to Jodhpur,
Jaipur, Bikaner, Barmer, Mount Abu, Jalore, Ahmedabad etc,
Roadways main bus stand opposite Railway station & Golden bus
terminal near State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur, Shiv road,
Jaisalmer are the two major bus stands.
By Air
Jaisalmer is not directly connected to Airways as such, Jodhpur
airport which is about 300 kms away is the nearest airport.
Jodhpur is connected to all the major metros of India by
government owned as well as private airlines. From Jodhpur you
can hire Cabs or take a train journey according to one’s wish
and preference. |
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