Danta, Banaskantha
| Danta | |
|---|---|
| town | |
  Danta | |
| Coordinates: 24°12′11″N 72°44′41″E / 24.20306°N 72.74472°ECoordinates: 24°12′11″N 72°44′41″E / 24.20306°N 72.74472°E | |
| Country |
 India |
| State | Gujarat |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Gujarati, Hindi |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
Danta is a town lying in Banaskantha district of the Indian state of Gujarat. It lies about 150 km north of Ahmedabad city, and on the border of Gujarat with Rajasthan.
The majority of residents are Hindu but there are also a substantial Muslim population and smaller ones of Christians and Jains. Danta was not spared in the religious riots of 2002, and a number of incidents were reported in the town and in the surrounding areas. Since 1998, the Danta assembly seat has been held by Gadhvi Mukeshkumar Bhairavdanji of the Indian National Congress party.
Princely State of Danta
Before 1947, it was the seat of a princely state of the same name, which was merged with the Dominion of India on 6 November 1948. The state was ruled by the Hindu Barad(Paramara) dynasty, and the head of the erstwhile ruling family of Danta is regarded as the head of the Paramara clan of Rajputs. The Parmars made Chandravati their capital following the Arab conquest of 1200 AD. After the battle against Allauddin Khilji, they migrated to Tarsang. From there they moved to Danta three hundred and eighty years ago. The present head of the family is Mahipendra Singh, born 17 December 1948 in Bombay, married 6 March 1975 in Jaipur to HH Maharani Chandra Kumari of Karauli.
Maharanas
- unknown - Maharana Jasharaj ji
- 1 Dec 1876 - 1908 Jashwantsinhji Harisinhji
- 16 Jun 1908 - 1925 Hamirsinhji
- 10 Mar 1926 - 15 Aug 1947 Bhavanisinhji Hamirsinhji (b. 1899)
The royal family of Danta now runs a Heritage homestay called "Bhavani Villa Heritage Homestay" close to Mt Abu in Rajasthan.
Distances
- Roughly 150 km from the Airport in Ahemdabad to Danta
- Nearest Railway station is 40 km from both Abu Road and Palanpur
- Udaipur - is about 2 and a half hours to 3 hrs drive only.
- Ambaji Temple - 18 km
- Kumbharia Jain Temple - 22 km
- Koteshwar Shiv Temple - 30 km
- Taranga Jain Temple - 30 km
- Rani-Ki-vav, Patan - 80 km
- Vadnagar Arches - 60 km
- Modhera Sun Temple - 90 km
- Mt. Abu - 70 km
Activities & Facilities
- Horse Riding.
- Jeep drives into the Balaram Ambaji wildlife sanctuary, Sight seeing of animals in sanctuary – ( by foot, horse or jeep) Animals to be sighted –Blue bulls, Variety of birds, Jungle fowl and Spur Fowl, Partridges, Wild boar, Peacocks, Quail, jackal, fox, Wild cat, Hyena, Leopard, Sloth bear & Porcupine.
- Excursions to Places to see around: Patola weaving at Patan, Rani ki vav in Patan, Ambaji temple Polo jain temple ruins, Monuments at Vadnagar, Koteshwar temple, Modhera Sun temple and Taranga & Kumbharia Jain temple . Marble mines and Dharoi dam. Also Dantivada Agricultural University.
- Shopping - a variety of souvenirs. From Pashmina stoles, brassware jewellery, artefacts, hand painted floral and traditional paintings done on silk, palm leaf, cultured ivory paintings, sandalwood as well as on paper to Ceramic items and Indian sarees.
- Mehndi /Henna art done on palms of tourists by local artists.
- Shop tribal jewellery
- Treks, drives, Adivasi tribes, Visit the hamlets of the Rabari tribe &village tours by jeep.
- Visit to tribal fares (melas)
- Cycling