Dhebar, a narrow passage between two hills, a catchment area, near JAISAMAND LAKE, through which flows one of the rivers that feed the lake. As the pass is called Dhebar, people have given Jaisamand the alternative name of Dhebar.

Dheerat Singh. There were a couple of leading members of clans who had this name. They came from Hamirgarh (Choondawat), and Kelwa (Jaitmal Rathore).

dhikaria: (Hindi) court attendants.

dhobi, (Hindi) a village washerman.

dhol, (Hindi) a drum made of wood and buffalo hide on the top and sides; similar to NAGARA, which has hide only on the top.

Dhool Kot (Dhul Kot), once a fort in ancient Ahar (now in the eastern sector of Udaipur). See AHAR.

dhoti, (Hindi) a long cotton garment worn around a male's loins.

Dhritrastra, King, legendary ruler who hired the warrior Drona to train his sons to bear arms. See BHIL ARCHERS, LEGEND OF THE.

Dhrupad, an ancient style of GAYAKI (classical singing), which, with Dhammar, occupies an important place in Indian classical music.

Dhuler (Rishabhdeo), a town 60 km. from Udaipur. The 15^th century temple here is of special significance to Jain pilgrims, who come to worship the idol of Rishabhdeo. The idol is almost 1 m. tall and is of black marble. The founder of Jainism is Lord Mahavira, and Rishabhdeo is believed to be one of his incarnations.

Dhulkot (Dhul Kot): see DHOOL KOT.

Dhundari: see JAIPURI.

Dhundera, Prince Chakasen, of Bundi, uncle of the 12-year-old Udai Singh who was sent to him for safekeeping when Bahadur Shah attacked Chittor (1534). See CHITTOR, 2^ND SACK.

Dhuni Mata Shrine, City Palace, Udaipur; a small temple, now enveloped by the mammoth CITY PALACE on the eastern shore of PICHOLA LAKE. It was built by Maharana Udai Singh II (1557-1572) to commemorate the spot where he met a sage, who passed his life in meditation, and who suggested that the site in this lush valley would be an ideal location for Mewar's new capital (see UDAI SINGH II, also UDAIPUR). A wooden railing now protects the site where the holy man is alleged to have sat. The Maharana built the temple before he built the City Palace and even before constructing his original palace, the MOTI MAHAL, thus making the temple the oldest part of Udaipur and the City Palace, which was built around the shrine. It is a simple room containing illustrations of the four main Hindu deities of Mewar - CHARBHUJA, EKLINGJI, SHRI NATHJI (LORD KRISHNA) and the Mother Goddess, AMBA MATA. An eternal flame once burned here; however, today, the resident priest newly lights the flame every morning. As it remains a place of sanctuary, visitors must remove their shoes before entering.