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Pokhran is strategically located in the triangle between
Jaisalmer, Jodhpur (172 km southeast) and Bikaner (224 km).
It is a meagerly populated area consisting mainly of scrub
and sand. This place suddenly caught the international spotlight
when the Indian government detonated nuclear devices here
on 18th May 1974, ironically code-named 'The Buddha Smiles'.
Once again international attention was focused on it on the
11th and 13th May, 1998, when five more nuclear tests took
place underneath its sandy surface, code-named this time as
'The Buddha Laughs'.
Among the major tourist attractions, the Pokhran fort is
worth mentioning. The Pokhran fort is a yellow sandstone fort
which is over 4 centuries old and was constructed by the Marwar
Thakur (local chieftain) Rao Maldeo who reigned from 1532-1584.
Built with the remains of an earlier fort called Satelmer
Fort, the Pokhran fort is well stocked with wells and grain
stores and has a wonderful dining hall constructed in the
second half of the 19th century. The wooden doors at the gateway
were fitted with lethal iron spikes to guard against an elephant
charge in case of an enemy onslaught. There is a small temple
dedicated to the goddess Durga located in the second biggest
courtyard of the fort, with stairs leading up to a zenana
(women's quarters). The Pokhran Museum housed inside the fort's
premises is smallish and contains an assortment of weapons,
paintings, pottery and the costumes which the Maharajas wore.
Also displayed are the little games the royal family played
during their leisure such as dominoes and dice.
Although an under developed area, Pokhran was once the capital
of the Thakur (chief) of Marwar. The Maheshwaris (a trading
community) built many beautiful havelis here which, like the
Pokhran fort, are built in red and yellow sandstone. The windows
and balconies are handsomely embellished with parrots, peacocks
and elephants. The chief thoroughfare of Pokhran is the Gandhi
chowk where women selling vegetables sit stunning in their
colorful Rajasthani dresses. Apart from the fort and the havelis
there are a few cenotaphs and temples which are worth visiting.
TouristPlacesRajasthan.com
provides information on Pokhran
Tours Guide and different Tours Guide around Rajasthan.
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