Govindgarh Rewa
| Author:Laxman Burdak, IFS (R) |
Govindgarh is a town in Huzur tahsil of Rewa district in Madhya Pradesh.
Variants
Origin
It is believed that the name Govind Garh was based on the Govind Temple now situated within the Govind Garh Fort premises.
Location
Govindgarh is about 18 km from Rewa in Madhya Pradesh, India. From Satna by road it is 50 km. Bagheli is the local language of the region. It's neighbouring towns are Manikawar, Gurh and Rewa.
History
Govindgarh was the summer capital of Mahraja Rewa. The Rewa was the largest princely state in the Bagelkhand Agency and the second largest in Central India Agency. The British political agent for Bagelkhand resided at Satna, on the East Indian railway. The Bagelkhand capital establish in Rewa under the Rewa Maharaja.
Rewa Princely state
It was bordered to the north by the United Provinces, to the east by Bengal and to the south by the Central Provinces. On the west, it met other princely states of Bagelkhand, namely Maihar, Nagod, Sohawal, Kothi Baghelan and Panna. The south of the state was crossed by the Bengal-Nagpur railway, (the branch between Bilaspur and Katni) which taps the Umaria coal-field.
Tourism
The main waterfalls of the region are Keoti, Chachai and Bahuti. River Bichiya and Beehar merge. Khando is known for its topography and "Govindgarh Lake", prepared by Baghela Kings.
The main attraction of the region is Rewa Fort, City Museum of antique items.
In the center part of the city is the summer palace of Baghela. A tunnel is also there which was used as a secret path for kings between Govind Garh and Rewa.
The Department of Tourism, Government of Madhya Pradesh State has recently leased out Govind Garh Fort to a Delhi-based Company for converting into a Heritage Hotel & Resorts and developing other tourism related activities on the related lands.
Govindgarh is also known as `Mini Vrindavan` and a large number of temples are situated in the region. Major temples are Ram Govind Temple, Panchmukhi Temple, Chowandi Temple, Shiv Temple, Hanuman Temple. All these temples are within the vicinity of the Govind Garh Fort. It is also believed that the name Govind Garh was based on the Govind Temple now situated within the Govind Garh Fort premises.
Govindgarh palace is located near Rewa, Madhya Pradesh. It was the summer capital of the King of Rewa. It was built by the rulers of Rewa in 1882. It is situated on the banks of Lake Govindgarh. There are many temples around this palace which attract many tourists. The first white tiger, Mohan was kept here till he died. It acts as a personal museum of the sovereigns of Rewa. The Durbar Hall and Pili Kothi in the complex of this palace are truly fascinating. The Government has decided to turn this palace into a heritage hotel.[1]
Economy
The main crops of the region are rice, millets and wheat. More than one-third of the area was covered with forests, yielding timber and lac.
The Sunderja Mangoes of the Govind Garh are famous in the country.
White Tiger
The first white tiger, Mohan, was captured in 1951 in the nearby jungles, was kept in this palace until his death. The magicians Siegfried & Roy are famous for breeding and training two white tigers for their performances, referring to them as "royal white tigers", the white tiger's association with the Maharaja of Rewa.
Rewa Maharaja Martand Singh first observed the male white tiger named Mohan during his visit to Govindgarh jungle at Rewa. After hunting for months, he was able to capture the first living white tiger seen in nature. With help from official veterinary experts, he unsuccessfully tried to breed the white tiger with colored female tigers. Eventually, however, he succeeded in creating a second generation of white tigers. In time, it expanded around the world.
Gallery
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Govindgarh Lake
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Govindgarh Palace
