JAIPUR: The mesmerizing Sambhar lake will soon be worth its salt as it is developed into a tourist destination. In a one-of-its-kind arrangement, two Public Sector Undertakings — Hindustan Salts Ltd (HSL) and India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) — will sign an MoU to create tourism infrastructure at Sambhar, India's largest inland salt lake.
"For ages we have been sitting on a gold mine. Creating tourism facilities in Sambhar would be akin to creating another golden triangle — Jaipur-Sambhar-Ajmer. HSL and Sambhar Salts Ltd are engaged in production/trading of salt and related activities and have a large land bank close to nature with infrastructure of heritage value which can be developed into tourist attractions. ITDC brings to this its expertise in the field of tourism infrastructure," said R K Tandon, CMD HSL.
The MoU to be signed on Thursday will have a detailed master-plan mapping the tourism infrastructure with another 12 sub-plans. "For this a special purpose vehicle (SPV) will have to be created. While the larger expenditures are likely to be taken care of by the government, we would be advertising for expression of interest for other ventures. The details are still being finetuned," said Tandon. The project that is likely to be kicked off by mid-January would look for private equity partners with ITDC inviting participation through tenders. "Prior to independence the Salt works owned by the company were managed by the British for many years." The old infrastructure developed by them is still available, which includes heritage buildings, old Salt Museum, Circuit House, Rail Tracks, etc," said Tandon.
Sambhar has also been designated a Ramsar site (recognized wetland of international importance) because the wetland is a key wintering area for tens of thousands of flamingos and other birds that migrate from northern Asia. SSL — a subsidiary of HSL — has approximately 57,600 acres of land on a 99-year lease from the government of Rajasthan in Sambhar, Nawa and Gudha area, which includes approximately 38,400 acres of Sambhar Lake.
"The comprehensive master-plan that is being prepared by a consultant would lay special emphasis on cultural tourism, adventure tourism, tourist trolley/train in the salt lake area of Sambhar. We also plan to focus on health tourism and heritage tourism as well as religious tourism to centuries' old temples apart from rural tourism. The area would be landscaped around salt ponds and the salt lake.
Priority would also be given to setting up a 'Centre for Skill development for youth under ministry of tourism's 'Hunar Se Rozgar Scheme'. Besides all this, camp/tented accommodation would be set up for tourism around salt ponds. An artificial canal has also been proposed in the salt lake area. "A centre for "eco-tourism and research" as per 'Ramsar Convention' and development of the Salt Heritage Museum would also be undertaken," said Tandon.
Pushkar to Sambhar Lake: An Unforgettable One Day Tour
Since
months Sambhar lake tour was pending. The reason: I was waiting for
friends to join the ride or a guide to join. Both was not happening
finally I decided to visit on own. Royal Enfield Thunderbird Twinspark motorbike was there as usual but this time I decided to hire a cab i.e., taxi for a day.
Evening hours I visited tour and travel
agent to know per km rate. Location was discussed and the travel agent
reply: Rs. 10 per km. I was sure it is definitely not going to be a good
bargain. As far as few recent taxi travel I remember I have paid
approx. 7 or 7.5 rupees per km but yes, it depends upon the location.
Land area the rates are less but within mountains the rates are high.
Anyways for best rate I approach a friend to guide to help to hire a
taxi. He called one of his friend over mobile and the rate Rs. 1750 all
inclusive day tour Pushkar > Sambhar Lake > Pushkar. This also
includes visit to Tilonia village near Ajmer city. Tilonia village is
famous for handicrafts. Deal was done early morning at 6 am the request
for taxi was placed.
Next day 6:55 am cab was ready. I
towards Sambhar lake via National Highway 8, Ajmer. Other side of the
highway Sun about to start its day smiling brightly in orange color.
Good Morning – said I.
Directions
Pushkar > Dantri ( 70 km )Dantri > Dudu ( 16 km )
Dudu > Narena ( 15 km )
Narena > Sambhar lake ( 15 km )
Distance
Pushkar to Sambhar lake: 115 km approx.Note
- There are two toll tax at NH 8 paid by cab driver because the rate for cab hiring was all inclusive.
- A direction board on the left hand side of NH 8 for Tilonia village. Pushkar to Tilonia village is approx. 60 km.
- Leave National Highway 8 and follow the road below the bridge once you reach Dudu. Half km further drive a left turn for Sambhar lake which is a straight drive till you reach Sambhar lake. Dudu to Sambhar lake is 26 km.
Homework is important. I did to know places I should visit during the tour.
Places to visit
- Sambhar lake
- Naliasar pond
- Shakambhari Mata temple
Once we reach Sambhar I decided to visit Shakambhari Mata temple first and later Sambhar lake. Shakambhari Mata temple is approx. 23 km from Sambhar.
Directions are there on the road. As we drive we pass through villages –
Pilpla ki Dhani, Korsina villages and few more but the best part of the
drive starts here only. The road is divided by two fields – silver on
the right side and villages, vegetation on the left hand side. Amazing
display by nature.
Shakambhari Mata TempleTotal Journey Hours
Three hours and thirty minutes
After opening our shoes as we enter the
temple by climbing few steps few devotees after prayers were coming out
of the temple. Upon seeing us they requested for a photograph. I oblige.
You know they even ask the money I will charge? No money – said I.
Devotees
After photograph Prayers, donation,
Prasad and the curiosity to know the history of the temple. Rajkumar
Sharma – The priest was present. Upon query the narration:
History
Shakambhari mata is Kuldevi (family
Goddess) of Chauhan dynasty. It is said and believed Prithviraj Chauhan –
The King had a blessing from the Goddess – as far as he roam his horse
the entire land will turn into silver. Prithviraj roam his horse till 12
Kos i.e., 36 km and all land turn into silver. But knowing about land
turning into silver his mother said if all land will be silver what
people will grow into fields to eat. Thus, Prithviraj worship Goddess
Shakambhari to retract the wish but as it was not possible Goddess
Shakambari turn all silver into salt which will be useful for the people
and cannot be steal.
And a quote by the priest that narrate the whole story:
Barah Kos Ghoda Phira, Hui Chaandi Ki Khaan
Mujhe Kaun Khane de Maiya, Ladsi alam jaan
Tabhi Kar Diya Namak Paani Maa Shakambari Rani
Since then rain water the moment touch
the land within this 36 km area turn into salt naturally. Villages
around Sambhar lake are into salt trade. The priest enhanced our
knowledge further: The temple is about 1400 years old built by
grandfather of Prithviraj Chauhan. Each year Radha Ashtami there is big festival at temple and surrounding areas.
The question: I reached by cab but any train to reach Sambhar to reach temple.
Yes, said the priest.
How To Reach
One has to reach Phulera or Sambhar
Railway Station and from there an auto for the temple. Charges for auto
approx. 200 – 250 rupees to and fro. If you are coming from Ajmer by
train you have to get down at Phulera Railway Station but if you are
coming via Jodhpur you can directly reach Sambhar Railway Station. The
distance between Phulera and Sambhar Railway Station is 5 km.
And accommodation? I question.Accommodation
You do not have to worry as dharamshala
is there. Food will be arranged by the priest or you can bring your own
and prepare self.
Thank you – said I and another query
about the Chhatri that I saw while reaching temple. That is built by
Jahangir – The Mughal Emperor as he also visited the temple. And the way
to reach?
Via a path behind the temple – guided the priest.
Chhatri Built By Jahangir
Carvings At Chhatri
And I inquire further where I can watch
the process of salt making. The priest said: as you go backwards towards
Sambhar lake you will pass Kocha ki Dhani. Just close to Kocha ki Dhani
is the dam where you can watch the salt process. OK – said I.
The salt land with no end all I can say
and the desire to drive the cab into the salty area. Yes, you can but
only 4-5 km because further the land is wet and maybe cab will stuck.
Better is not to drive. Only bigger vehicles specially tractors drive to
transport salt otherwise no other vehicle visit. I drop the idea and a
walk about a km into the land. Another amazing experience walking into
white land.
Sambhar Lake
And the hungry stomach after the walk.
Few devotees present inside the temple area having Prasad. I approached
them and the request for Prasad. Dal, Baati, Churma traditional
Rajasthani food served and a glass of water. You know I many times do
this and find people love to share food/Prasad. I remember during
Bhimlat Waterfall and Menal tour I request for food and was served. The
food is prepared at the spot by devotees offered to God/Goddess and then
as a Prasad they have the same. Thank you-said I.
And drive to locate Kocha ki Dhani to reach dam-unable to find. But yes birds, ducks within salty water.
As we continue driving on the left side
of the road we saw salt making process – we stop. 22 km drive since we
left temple. We walk into the salty land. A man was sitting alone in
front of wood fire – cold days for sure. Nanda – The name. Upon query he
said: Salt is up to Didwana. The land here is not solid. The moment
rain water touch land turns into salty water. Sun vapors salty water and
salt is used as trade. To know whether salty water is OK for salt
process or not an instrument named as cc bomi is used that checks the
degree. 25-26 degree we start salt making process.
Thank you – said I. Upon request he
permitted us to walk upon small paths made within various Kyari (small
fields). There is railway track not used now a days but was laid by
Britishers long back to transport salt as we walk within.
How much is the total salt production yearly? – I question.
10-12 metric tonne approx. said Nanda.
Many Bollowood movies are shot here and one of them well known movie is – ‘Jodha Akbar’.
A new experience since the day I was
born. It was time to drive further. The driver of the cab enhanced
knowledge about Dargah Sharif Hazrat Khwaja Hismauddin Chisty at Sambhar
town and we proceed towards the same. He was the grandson of Hazrat
Khwaja Garib Nawaz. The driver further said: If one is visiting Khwaja
Garib Nawaz at Ajmer should also visit two more mazar – Dargah Sharif
Hazrat Khwaja Hismauddin Chisty and Hazrat Khwaja Fakhruddin mazar (son of Khwaja Garib Nawaz) at Sarwar town near Ajmer.
Direction board about dargah is there
within the Sambhar town. We reached car was parked. Rose, Chaddar was
offered and prayers and a wish to visit Sarwar.
You know Sambhar town is famous for
Pheni – the driver said. Pheni is one of the favorite sweet dish. I
decided to buy and will request friend’s wife at Pushkar to make the
same. Rs. 60 per kg – shopkeeper said. Two kgs but in two separate boxes
– one of self, friends and one for the driver – hurraayyyy!!!
Salt Iodization & Processed Salt Plant built in 1962 near Sambhar railway station – We enter. A quote:
Salt Iodization & Processed Salt Plant
Two employees present monitoring salt
plant process. Hello and request to share knowledge about salt. As salt
is obtain from Sambhar fields plant has to filter, clean salt by various
cleaning process present within the plant – said Motaram. Once that is
done salt is sent into dryer that separate water and salt. Later the
packaging process for the market for selling.
Half an hour stay watching salt cleaning
process as it is the first time I have seen a plant so closely. Time to
return Pushkar. Thank you – said I to Motaram ji and request to the cab
driver to follow road via Naliasar pond. They say it is the shortest
one. Road condition OK. And we saw Antelope within fields. I have heard
flamingos is seen during winter days at Naliasar pond but No. Maybe next
tour.
Directions
Naliasar Pond, Sambhar > Saapo ki
Dhani > Sitarampura > Aadarwa > Roopangarh > Kalidungi >
Makrana More > Pushkar
Distance
Naliasar Pond, Sambhar to Pushkar: 110 km approx.
Suggestion will be follow National
Highway 8 and towards Dudu for Sambhar. The distance via Dudu or via
Roopangarh is almost the same but yes, road condition via NH 8, Dudu is
better.
Yes, I drop the idea of visiting Tilonia
village near Ajmer city because I was too tired. Anyways, if I
calculate how much journey I have done it will be 294 km Pushkar >
Sambhar > Pushkar. I paid 1750 rupees i.e., 6 rupees per km excluding
Tilonia village tour. It is a good bargain for taxi. Thanks to friend. I
paid Rs. 150 extra to the cab driver because he was very helpful. The
journey continues…
Related Photos
-
Devotees having Prasad, Shakambhari Mata Temple, Sambhar Lake, Rajasthan -
Holy Lake: Pushkar, Rajasthan -
Woman Bringing Water in Bucket – Pushkar Fair 2011, Pushkar, Rajasthan
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