places to visit
Jal Mahal
A building surrounded on all sides by water, was built by Shah Quli Khan, an officer of Akbar and the ruler of Narnaul, in 1591. It represents a synthesis of Persian and Indian architecture and stands at the center of a large water tank (now dry). The approach through the water was via a causeway from the north which opens through an arched entrance. The main building is surrounded by four minarets which have stairways leading right to the top. However, the lower chambers have by now disintegrated and no trace of them can be found.
Tomb of Pir Turkman
A tomb-cum-mosque complex, it belongs to a Muslim saint called Hazarat Turkman who settled in these parts in the 12th century much to the dislike of local Rathore chiefs. The original tomb is capped by a dome, but the pillared veranda was built by the British much later. Additions to the tomb were common even during the Mughal period.
Tomb of Ibrahim Khan Sur
This tomb is a tribute by Sher Shah Suri,the ruler of Bengal and later India, for his grandfather Ibrahim. The Sur who lies here served as the administrative officer of Narnaul, and the monument was created by Sher Shah’s personal architect, Sheikh Ahmad Niyazi. The tomb is a perfect example of the Pashtun style of those times.
Chor Gumbad
The Chor Gumbad is affectionately called the `signboard’ of the town. Standing majestically and isolated upon a rock in the north of the town, this Gumbad is a well planned square building with a large chamber within and four minarets outside at each corner. Constructed by the Afghan Jamal Khan (as his tomb) during the reign of Feroz Shah Tughlaq, it became a hideout for robbers and thieves, thus earning its name .
Tripolia gateway
Constructed by Shah Quili Khan in 1589 as the main entrance to a garden, the gate has three sides. The Khan’s octagonal tomb (built in red and grey sandstone) and Islam Quili Khan’s tomb lie within the garden complex, named Aram-i-Kausa by Quili Khan. The gate itself is built from broken down masonry.
Chatta Rai Bal Mukund Das
A large palace built by Rai Bal Mukund Das, the Diwan (Prime Minister) of Narnaul during Emperor Shah Jahan’s reign. This five-storey building has a number of halls, rooms and pavilions, and the Diwan-e-Khas (inner chambers) flaunts marble floors and pillars. Fountains and springs (they don’t work anymore) were made to keep the building as well as the surrounding area cool in summer, the water being sucked in from a well in the southwest. The Persian wheel was used to lift water into reservoirs at various levels from this well so that water could flow down at great speed. The underground chambers (now eaten away) are believed to have had three layers where light streamed in throughout the day and had tunnels which lead directly to Delhi, Jaipur and Mahendragarh. Only a basement remains today.
Mirza Ali Jan’s Baoli
This water well or Baoli (a sort of pond) was built by Mirza Ali Jan and can be found towards the northwest of Narnaul. The Mirza was the Nawab of Narnaul while Akbar ruled. The Baoli is surrounded by a mass of water called Chhotta Bara Talaab (small and big ponds), and the main structure of the building is shaped like a huge arched gateway carrying a Takht (Throne) with a Chhatri (Umbrella) on top. The decorated Chhatri is supported by eight pillars from where steps lead right down to a well.
Chamunda Devi Mandir
It is believed that Raja Naun Karan the ruler of the area was a devotee of Goddess Chamunda. He constructed a temple of the Devi at the bottom of a hill. This temple is in the heart of the city. After the fall of the regime of Raja Naun Karan, this area came under the control of the Mughals. They built a mosque named as Jama Masjid, the biggest Masjid(Mosque) at Narnaul on the temple of Chamunda Devi. After Independence, the people of this town started digging and found the temple in a torn condition. This temple is now one of the most important and is visited by the people of the town and a big fair is held on the occasion of Ramnavmi (The day on which Lord Rama was born).This temple is famous among devotees for its wish fulfillness, people says that the wishes made here are always fulfilled.
Modawala Mandir
The temple of Lord Shiva is situated at Narnaul-Rewari road near the New Bus Stand. This is the only temple of this area where every member of a Hindu family comes for the worship of Lord Shiva and other Hindu deities. A big fair is held here on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan. A brief history of this temple is that there was a Khet (Field) and a man who was ploughing the land saw the Shiva Linga during ploughing. He heard a voice during sleep that he is the Lord Shiva and a temple was to be constructed here for the benefit of the people. Thus, this temple was built and is now a place of worship. It is the firm belief of the people of the area that every desire is fulfilled by Lord Shiva provided if he is worshiped or named by heart.
Khalda Wale Hanumanji
The temple of lord Hanuman, which is situated at narnaul-singhana road, surrounded by mountains and the greenery all around is so captivating, that you can't leave this place unvisited. The statue of lord Hanuman is situated on top of the hill, and the calmness around temple is the real beauty of Aravalis. This place is near to Dhosi hills.
