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gaadi (gaddi), literally 'The Cushion' by which a Rajput throne is designated; a cushion or throne of royalty, royal couch.
Gaadia Luhars, the very poor craft people (ironsmiths) of the township of CHITTORGARH. When the fort above the town (then the capital of Mewar) was taken by Mughal emperor AKBAR (1568 - see CHITTOR, 3RD SACK), these artisans took an oath that they would never light a lamp, nor use a rope to pull water from the wells, nor live in houses, nor enter the fort, until it was reconquered by the vanquished Maharana. This event never occurred, as the Maharana, UDAI SINGH II (1537-1572), built UDAIPUR and made it his new capital. Since then, the Gaadia Luhars have been living a nomadic, gipsy-like existence in bullock-carts under the open sky. In 1955, the then Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru acted to allow or encourage them to re-enter the fort and encouraged them to lead a settled life.
Gadarmala, a thikana (titled estate or jagir) held by the descendants of Puranmal, the eleventh son of Maharana PRATAP SINGH I (1572-1597). Their title is 'Baba'. The parent house was Mangrop (Magrop), which was given to Puranmal. Two generations later, Puranmal's grandson, Mohkam Singh, received the village of Gurla as a jagir from his father, Nath Singh of Mangrop. Mohkam Singh gave one of his sons, Amar Singh, the jagir of Gadarmala, which is an offshoot of Gurla.
Gadhia paisa, a popular name for the ancient coins known as Tatariya dirhans. See AHAR.
Gaj Singh. There were a couple of leading members of clans who had this name. They came from Lasani (Choondawat), and Shivrati (Ranawat). There was also Kunwar Gaj Singh, sixth son of Maharana LAKHA (1382-1421). Kunwar Gaj Singh of Shivrati was the son of Dal Singh. Having no son and heir, Gaj Singh adopted his brother Fateh Singh to succeed him. However, Fateh was later adopted by Maharana SAJJAN SINGH (1874-1884), which again left Gaj Singh without an heir. Therefore he adopted Himmat Singh (his nephew, by his brother, Surat Singh in KARJALI), who succeeded as leader of the Shivrati clan.
Gajner Palace Hotel, Bikaner, an HRH Group heritage hotel, is an intricately carved red sandstone palace on the shores of Gajner Lake in the Thar Desert. A grass tennis court and a marble swimming pool add to the tranquil charm of this splendid oasis. For reservations see HRH GROUP RESERVATIONS.
Galiankot, a small pilgrim village one-hour's drive from DUNGAPUR about 168 km. from Udaipur. Its major attraction, especially for Dawoodi Bohra Muslims, is the marble Dargarh (tomb or mausoleum) of Saint Fakhruddin (Babaji Fakhruddin Moula). The pilgrims, who come from around the world, visit the Dargarh throughout the year, especially during the Urs (anniversary of the Saint). The most popular pilgrimage time is the twenty-seventh day of Muhurram. On holy days, such as during Ramzan and Muhurram, the priest preaches sermons. The pilgrims, who stay at Musafir Khanas (guesthouses) around the Dargarh, perform rituals and present offerings of jaggery, roses, basil, coconut, etc. Dawoodi Bohras are traders who converted to Islam from the Brahmans of Khambhat, Gujarat about 500 years ago. Their lifestyles, culture and language remain quite similar to that of the Khambhati Brahamans.
Gallery Restaurant, Udaipur; adjoining the DURBAR HALL, FATEH PRAKASH PALACE. This well situated and tastefully furnished little restaurant overlooks the unrivalled and spectacular panorama of PICHOLA LAKE, its lake palaces, and the distant ARAVALLI HILLS. The restaurant serves an exclusive continental menu and has a wide choice of wines. English Cream Teas are served here every afternoon, with different varieties of tea and traditional homemade scones and biscuits. Indian musicians play Indian classical music during the evening dinner.
Gambhiri River: see NATURAL FEATURES OF MEWAR.
Game Sanctuaries in Mewar: see NATURAL FEATURES OF MEWAR.
Gandharvasen, said to be the king of Sinhal Dwipa (Lanka or Ceylon). He is mentioned in the Padmavat, a poetic writing of medieval poet Malik Mohammad Jayasi. The text states that Gandharvasen's chief queen was Champavati; their daughter was PADMINI. It then goes on to say that Mewar's Rawal Ratan Singh I married Padmini. However, as it appears to be a work of fiction, this would possibly account for there being no official historic record of this union, and for Mewar's greatest legend, the famous Padmini story, although romantic and dramatic, being no more than that, a legend invented by an inventive bard. See also AHAR.
Ganesh (Ganesha), the roly-poly elephant-headed god of success; son of Shiva and Parvati; probably the most popular god in the Hindu pantheon; wise, thoughtful and well versed in the scriptures, he is invoked by worshippers before every undertaking to assure success.
Ganesh Deori, Udaipur; the first vestibule after the main entrance to the City Palace, after which one enters the Palace proper.
Ganesh Pol, Chittorgarh; the fourth arch to the main western entrance of the fort, named after the Hindu god with the elephant's head. See also GATES (POLS) IN UDAIPUR.
Ganesha: see GANESH.
Ganga Bai, the wife of Mahadaji SINDHIA; she died in Gangapur, which was originally known as Maloni Khurd (or Choti) and renamed Gangapur in her memory.
Gangapur, a town in Mewar; originally called Maloni Khurd or Maloni Choti ('choti' being Hindi for 'little'). Later it was renamed Gangapur after Ganga Bai (wife of the Maratha, Mahadaji SINDHIA) who died here.
Gangaur (Gangor) Festival, Udaipur; a celebration to appease the goddess PARVATI, the consort of Lord SHIVA; it takes place in the month of Chaitra (end of March, beginning of April) It is usually observed by Rajasthani girls of marriageable age who offer prayers for a good husband to marry, and by married women for the long life of their husbands.
Gangaur (Gangor) Ghat, Udaipur; a stepped landing area on the eastern shore of PICHOLA LAKE, Udaipur, elegant and noticeable with its triple-arched gateway. Located beneath the City Palace complex, it is one of the main sites for the MEWAR FESTIVAL. Just behind it is BAGORE-KI-HAVELI (now housing the WEST ZONE CULTURAL CENTRE), once one of the city's finest havelis (noble houses).
Gangawas, an estate (jagir) in the western Bhilwara District, originally the domain of a nephew of Maharana KARAN SINGH II (1620-1628).
Gangodbhav Kund: see GANGODBHAWA KUND.
Gangodbhav Tirtha: see AHAR.
Gangodbhawa (Gangu or Gangodbhav) Kund, a large and old square water tank at the Maha Sati (the cremation place for Udaipur's rulers) in AHAR. Nearby is an ancient Shiva temple. Gangodbhawa is a naturally fed reservoir having pure, Ganges-like water. There are several legends about its origin, one being that a tributary of the Ganges, flowing underground, emerges here to become the Ahar River. Another tradition is that the ancient chhatri in the centre of the kund is the memorial of Gandharva Sen, the father of Vikramaditya of Malwa. Many claim the place is over one thousand years old. As with the Ganges, it is considered to be a religious boon to bathe in the Gangodbhawa's waters.
Gangor Ghat (Udaipur): see GANGAUR GHAT.
Gangu Kund: see GANGODBHAWA KUND.
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