GHAT WITH PAVILIONS AND TORANS

The town of Rajsamand, known after the famous lake of the same name, was founded by Rana Raj Singh in the later half of the seventeenth century A.D. The Rajsamand lake measures 6.64 km by 2.9 km with a maximum depth of 16.5 m. The northern portion of its embankment is called Nav Chowki. Flights of nine steps at each level descend to the water’s edge. There are three chhatris or pavilions, intricately carved, depicting figures of gods and goddesses, animal figures and floral and geometrical designs. The gateways or toranas, originally five of which only three exist, are also richly carved and ornamented. All the pavilions and toranas are made of white marble. The famous Rajprasasti Sanskrit inscriptions, twenty-four in number containing verses laudatory of Maharana Raj Singh and providing an elaborate history of Mewar in general and Maharana Raj Singh in particular, can be seen all along the ghats, fixed in the niches.