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Tag: Rajasthan Tourism

Deomali Village in Rajasthan is declared the Best Tourist Village in India

Deomali Village in Rajasthan has been declared the Best Tourist Village in India. It is a unique village in Rajasthan. Deomali village is located in Masuda tehsil of Beawar situated in the Ajmer district of Rajasthan. The Central Government will honour it by giving it an award on 27th November this year in Delhi. This good news was announced on Thursday evening.

A documentary on rural tourism focusing on Deomali village was launched by Collector Utsav Kaushal to promote tourism. The real life of the people of the village was shown in the documentary made under the direction of Bharatraj Gurjar, who was the Sub-Divisional Officer at that time. SDM Bharatraj Gurjar said that this documentary was ready in December 2023 and was sent to the ministry in January 2024. Based on the documentary, Deomali Village has been selected as the best tourist village in India.

Specialty of Deomali village

The speciality of Deomali village is not a single house that has been made of concrete. All houses are built with traditional materials like yellow soil and stones and have clay roofs. The belief is that centuries ago when Lord Devnarayan came here, he asked for a place to stay for a few days. The people of the Gurjar community said that we will live in a kutcha house, and you live in a pacca house. The villagers have been keeping the promise given at that time till today. Because of this, not a single house has been made of concrete here. However, there is no dearth of amenities in every home.

Deomali is a Gurjar-dominated village. Villagers say that Lord Devnarayan used to serve cows. Due to this, there is a lot of interest in animal husbandry in the village. Moreover, the families are based on agriculture. As soon as you roam around the village, you can see the rural environment. All the families of the village are priests of Lord Devnarayan temple.

Bhagwan Devnarayan temple in Deomali Village

The ancient temple of Lord Devnarayan is situated atop a hill in the scenic Deomali village. This sacred site attracts hundreds of thousands of pilgrims annually, who come to seek blessings and pay their respects to the revered deity. The temple’s historical significance and breathtaking surroundings make it a cherished destination for devotees and tourists alike.

It is believed that Lord Devnarayan arrived in Deomali from the Aravalli mountain range in Vikram Samvat 999. On his arrival, the mountains and stones of the village and the surrounding area bowed to one side and welcomed him. All the mountains and stones of the village appear to be inclined towards the west.

There is a belief among the villagers regarding Lord Devnarayan in Deomali that when Bhagwan Devnarayan visits the temple, it rains saffron in the temple premises as well as in the village. Due to this, yellow spots are often seen on clothes and vehicles.

This is also special in the village

There is a water channel by the name of Beela Beeli located in Deomali village. Furthermore, Villagers say that leprosy can be cured by merely bathing in its water.

The promises and rules made here are strictly followed even today in Deomali Village. The family that does not follow these rules has to suffer huge losses. Generation after generation, they are fulfilling the promises of their ancestors, due to which there is no problem. Some people in the village tried to break these rules, whose families were facing a lot of trouble. Furthermore, no one in this village eats meat or fish or drinks alcohol. Burning of neem wood and use of kerosene is also prohibited here.

How to reach Deomali Village

Deomali Village is located 8 km away from the sub-district headquarters Masuda (tehsildar office) and 63 km away from the district headquarters Ajmer. Moreover, Deomali is bordered by Beawar Tehsil to the west, Jawaja Tehsil to the east, Hurda Tehsil to the south, and Pisangan Tehsil to the north. Nearby cities to reach Deomali are Beawar, Nasirabad, Ajmer and Jaitaran. Public bus services are available from these cities to reach Deomali Village. You can also hire a car taxi to reach here. You can also reach here through your vehicles. It is situated on the National Highways number 58 and 158. There is no railway station within 10 kilometres of Deomali.

September 22, 2024
Valley Queen Heritage Train of Rajasthan.
Valley Queen heritage train of Rajasthan is attracting a lot of tourists nowadays. The experience of travelling on this train running in Rajasthan is exhilarating. The design of the Valley Queen heritage train and its route are the main centres of attraction for the passengers. The journey aboard Rajasthan’s exclusive tourist train, the “Valley Queen Heritage Train,” presents a magnificent experience. However, the captivating routes traversed by this train truly make the experience enchanting.

The train passes through lush green valleys, hills, rare flora and fauna. The route has two tunnels that are almost a century old, as well as 172 small and large bridges over water streams. Rajasthan government has started this new tourist train from October 5, 2023.

Valley Queen Heritage Train timetable

Valley Queen Heritage Train, consisting of fully air-conditioned coaches with a capacity of 60 seats. Indian Railways has introduced a 360-degree vista dome coach to the train. This special coach features panoramic windows and can accommodate up to 60 passengers. It runs five days a week on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. The Valley Queen Heritage Train in Rajasthan, India operates five days a week between Marwar Junction and Khamil Ghat. Out of this, the train will operate twice a week for group bookings (minimum of 10 people).

This metre-gauge train departs from Marwar Junction at 8.30 am, reaching Khamlighat at 11 am via Phulad and Goram Ghat railway stations. The train has a short stoppage of 10 to 15 minutes at every station. It reaches Phulad at 9:20 am. After stopping at Khamlighat for three and a half hours, it leaves at 2:40 pm and reaches Marwar Junction at 5.40 pm on the same day.

The train’s schedule is as follows:
- Departure: 8:30 AM from Marwar Junction.
- Arrival: 11 AM at Khamlighat via Phulad and Goram Ghat railway stations.
- Stoppage: 10–15 minutes at every station
- Khamil Ghat: 3.5 hours stop
- Departure: 3 PM from Khamil Ghat
- Return: 5:40 PM to Marwar Junction on the same day
Valley Queen Heritage Train ticket price

Its ticket price is Rs 1,900 per person for the to and fro journey. While the ticket price for one side is Rs 1000 per passenger. The fare for ‘group booking’ and ‘two group booking days’ of the week has not been confirmed yet. You can book online on IRCTC and other online apps.

Train Route Ticket Price
Marwar Jn – Khamil Ghat Rs 1000/-
Marwar Jn – Phulad Rs 500/-
Phulad – Khamil Ghat Rs 600/-
Marwar Jn – Khamil Ghat – Marwar Jn Rs 1900/-

These days, after the rain, hundreds of tourists from the district including other nearby districts are arriving with family and friends to see the supernatural views of the waterfalls and greenery of Goram Ghat, Gauridham and Bhilberi. As soon as the train arrived from the Marwar side at Phulad railway station, all the tourists flocked to board the train. On Hariyali Amavasya, every compartment of the train was seen packed. Not only this, many local and other tourists reached Goramghat by road and enjoyed bathing in the waterfalls there. There was a huge crowd of people at the tourist places in the surrounding areas of the city.

Heritage Trains in India

India has a rich tradition of heritage trains, offering a unique way to explore the country’s history and natural beauty. Here are some notable heritage trains in India:

1. Palace on Wheels
- Route: New Delhi – Jaipur – Sawai Madhopur – Chittorgarh – Udaipur – Jaisalmer – Jodhpur – Bharatpur – Agra – New Delhi
- Highlights: Experience the royal journey through Rajasthan with luxury amenities, cultural performances, and excursions to historic sites.
2. Maharajas’ Express
- Routes: Multiple routes including Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Varanasi, Lucknow, and more.
- Highlights: Known for its luxury and five-star services, this train offers a glimpse into India’s royal heritage with opulent interiors and personalized services.
3. Deccan Odyssey
- Route: Mumbai – Nashik – Aurangabad – Ajanta & Ellora Caves – Kolhapur – Goa – Ratnagiri – Mumbai
- Highlights: This train covers the scenic landscapes and historical monuments of Maharashtra and Goa, with luxurious facilities.
4. The Golden Chariot
- Route: Bengaluru – Mysore – Hampi – Mahabalipuram – Thanjavur – Chettinad – Cochin – Kumarakom – Bengaluru
- Highlights: Explore the rich cultural heritage of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, with stops at UNESCO World Heritage Sites and beautiful beaches.
5. The Fairy Queen
- Route: Delhi – Alwar – Sariska
- Highlights: Pulled by one of the oldest working steam locomotives in the world, this train offers a nostalgic journey through Rajasthan, with visits to the Sariska Tiger Reserve.
6. Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (Toy Train)
- Route: New Jalpaiguri – Darjeeling
- Highlights: A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this narrow-gauge train offers stunning views of the Himalayas and tea gardens.
7. Nilgiri Mountain Railway
- Route: Mettupalayam – Coonoor – Ooty
- Highlights: Another UNESCO World Heritage Site, this train journey through the Nilgiri Hills provides breathtaking views and an exhilarating ride.
8. Kalka-Shimla Railway
- Route: Kalka – Shimla
- Highlights: Famous for its dramatic views of the hills and surrounding villages, this narrow-gauge railway is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
9. Matheran Hill Railway
- Route: Neral – Matheran
- Highlights: This narrow-gauge train provides a scenic ride through the Western Ghats, reaching the quaint hill station of Matheran.
10. Rajasthan Heritage on Wheels
- Route: Jaipur – Bikaner – Jaisalmer – Jodhpur – Jaipur
- Highlights: This train offers a journey through Rajasthan’s desert landscapes, with stops at historic forts and palaces.
These heritage trains not only offer luxurious amenities but also a glimpse into India’s diverse culture, history, and scenic beauty.
August 8, 2024

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