Pali (Jodhpur) Rajasthan - History, Sightseeing

Pali, Jodhpur Overview

Situated 70 km south of Jodhpur, Pali is famously known as the industrial city of Rajasthan. It has been a hub for merchant activities for generations and is a great site to visit to learn and see the history associated with Rajasthan. One can find many temples in and around the city to satiate their taste for culture and history while also see numerous industries of Rajasthan, with Pali being a famous exporter of textiles such as cotton and synthetic materials.

This beautiful city is home to a number of famous temples like the Somnath temple, Adishwar temple, and the Ranakpur Jain temple. Not too far from here is the famous Om Banna temple, also known as the Bullet baba temple, a unique temple that can not be found anywhere else in the world. The Bangur museum is a great place for art lovers, while the Nimbo ka Nath is hugely significant, believed to the residence of the exiled Pandavas from the legend of Mahabharata. There are a number of relics retrieved from the region that support these legends. Also, this ancient and rich cultural heritage of Pali can be witnessed by exploring the attractions in the city. There are temples, museums, Palaces etc. in and around the city and the modern attractions too that tourists can explore. Pali, therefore, has been a sought-after holiday destination.

History of Pali, Rajasthan

The name of Pali City was derived from the Paliwal Brahmins who leased the land from the Chief of Mandore. It was then known as Palli or Pallika and was an important trade centre in the region since the 11th century when the Guhilas of Mewar ruled the city. A century later, the Chauhans acquired Pali and made it a part of the Nadol Kingdom. During this century, it was ruled by the Chalukya Dynasty and later by the Songira Chauhan clan of the city of Jalore. A devali dating back to the 13th century AD mentions the Grandson of Chandra, Sheoji Rathore, visited the city on a pilgrimage and decided to stay back to protect the Brahmins. The Rathores ruled Pali till 1760 AD after which it became a part of the Jodhpur State. Till 1949, the city remained an important part of the Marwar Kingdom.

Places to visit in and around Pali, Rajasthan

Some of the major attractions to explore in Pali are the temples. The Hinglaj Maa Temple in the Aravalli Caves in Bijapur Village, the Jain Temple, Shri Navlakha Parshwanath Jain Temple, the Devgiri Temple, the Village of Temples in Bhatund, the Somnath Temple, the Rameshwar Mahadev Mandir, Om Banna temple, Karni Mata Temple, Bangor Temple, Illogi Temple, Sai Baba temple, Mahalakshmi Temple etc. Tourists can visit all of these temples when in Pali and get to know the culture and the belief systems a little more. Other than the temples, Pali also has the Jawai Dam, Radha Krishna Astrological House, Bajrang Bag, Havas Dam, Lakhotia Garden, Geeta Bhavan, Keshav Bhavan, Bangor Museum etc to explore.

How To Reach Pali

Indian Railways and India Roadways connect Pali to all the major cities in the country. The Pali Marwar Railway Station is located in the heart of the city, while the Pali Bus Station s located about 3.7 kilometres away from the city centre.

Travellers can easily find trains and buses to Pali from any part of the country. If for some reason, they cannot find a mode of transport, they can opt for a drop at Jodhpur which is just 75 kilometres away. From there, they can take a cab or a bus ride to reach Pali via the NH 62 – Dr. Laxmi Mall Singhvi Route, the NH 62 – SH 61 route or the NH 62 route.