Danta, Banaskantha

Danta, Banaskantha
—  town  —
Coordinates
Country	India
State	Gujarat
Time zone	IST (UTC+05:30)

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 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. The care of the people of Danta is said to have been entrusted to the Parmars by Goddess Ambaji herself Do visit www.ambajidanta.com .The Navratri Puja is performed by the Maharana of Danta in the famous temple at Ambaji every year .

Maharanas

• 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.

Bhavani Villa has a delectable range of Indian cuisine on offer. Enjoy the food prepared for you by our traditional cooks and supervised by the lady of the house while absorbing the traditional ambiance of our cosy and private dining room. You could also choose to sit outside and enjoy tea while enjoying a folk dance. ( on special request) The lush green hills and thick foliage make drives interesting and refreshing as you pass by hills, small tribal villages and mountain rocks. Each turn brings you to a breathtaking view of the majestic panorama of mountains all around and endless green fields. Choose to go for horse riding or cycle around at your leisure you certainly forget time and energise yourself with the scent of the green woods and cool mountain air as nature embraces you here!

Bhavani Villa is a Weekend Getaway Ex-Ahmedabad and is also visited as a part of Heritage Itinerary of Gujarat. Boutique -There is also a handicrafts and garments boutique at Bhavani Villa you could look up.Visit www.indiaethnics.com

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.

The local women make a number of handmade things from cards to multipurpose bags and other utility items. These handmade items are all available at the boutique in Bhavanivilla Danta. You may also please visit www.indiaethnics.com and write in to help.

We are also taking orders for Ethnics Indian Handmade gifts & Corporate gifts as well so as to encourage the local women & help them earn a livelihood.

• 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

External links

• Heritage home in Danta, Gujarat
• Election results at the Government of India's Election Website
• Heritage home in Danta, Gujarat

Coordinates: 24°12′11″N 72°44′41″E / 24.20306°N 72.74472°E / 24.20306; 72.74472