Dhosi Hill

2022-12-18T10:58:45Z

183.82.155.40:

{{more citations needed|date=December 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2022}}
{{Infobox mountain
| name = Dhosi Hill
| other_name =
| photo = Dhosi Hill.jpg
| photo_caption = Aerial view of Dhosi Hill showing ancient 'Parikrama'
| elevation_m = 740
| elevation_ref =
| map = India Haryana#India
| map_caption = Location in [[Haryana]]
| map_size = 300
| location = [[Mahendragarh district]], [[Haryana]], [[India]]
| range = [[Aravalli Range|Aravali Range]]
| label =
| label_position = left
| listing = [[List of Indian states and territories by highest point]]
| coordinates = {{coord|28|03|40|N|76|01|55|E|type:mountain_region:IN_scale:100000|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| range_coordinates =
| easiest_route = Hike / scramble
| coordinates_ref =
| topo =
}}

'''Dhosi Hill''' is an important Vedic period site, an [[extinct volcano]], standing alone at the north-west end of the [[Aravali Range|Aravalli mountain range]]. Its height varies from about 345 to 470 meters from the surrounding lands and 740 meters from the sea level. At present the hill has temples, a pakka pond, ruins of a fort, caves and forest around it. In the ancient times, as per various scriptures like [[Mahabharata]] - [[Vana Parva|Vanparv]], [[Puranas]], Shathpath Brahmana etc. the hill had Ashrams of various Rishis who made contributions to Vedic scriptures.

The hill has all the physical features of a perfect [[volcanic]] hill with distinct [[Volcanic crater|crater]], [[lava]] still lying on it and giving a perfect conical view from top.{{citation needed|date=October 2017}}

It is among the most ancient Vedic religious sites in Haryana located on the route of oldest flow of Saraswati river. It is known for formulation of [[Chyavanprash|Chyvanprash]] for [[Chyavana|Chayvan]] Rishi by Rajya Vaids [[Ashvins|Ashvini Kumar]] twins for the first time. [[Chyavana |Chyavana Rishi]] and his father [[Bhrigu|Bhrugu]] Rishi had their Ashrams on this hill. Yats

== Location ==
<gallery widths="200px" heights="200px">
A view of Dhosi Hill Crater.JPG|View of Dhosi Hill crater showing various structures
Dhosi Lava Picture.png|Lava or eruptions lying at Hill
</gallery>
Dhosi Hill is located on the borders of the Indian states of [[Haryana]] and [[Rajasthan]]. The Haryana portion lies in [[Mahendragarh district]] to the south, {{convert|5|km|mi}} from [[Narnaul]] on Singhana Road; the Rajasthan portion lies in [[Jhunjhunu district]] to the north.

While the ground level is about {{convert|900|ft|m}} above sea level, the hilltop is another 900 feet above the ground level.
<gallery widths="200px" heights="200px">
Serpentine Stairs to Dhosi Hill Crater.JPG|Serpentine Stairs to ''Dhosi Hill Crater'' from Kultajpur side
Remnants of a Fort built during medieval period.JPG|Remnants of a fort built during medieval period by [[Ganga Singh Nuniwal]]
Shiv Kund Complex at Dhosi Hill.JPG|Base of Dhosi Hill
'Shiv Kund' water reservoir at 'Dhosi Hill'.JPG|Shiv Kund' Sarovar at Dhosi Hill
Cave on the Parikrama route of Dhosi Hill.JPG|Cave on the route of [[parikrama]], which provides shelter to pilgrims
Ancient Shiva Temple at Dhosi Hill, Chyvan Rishi Ashram.JPG|Ancient Shiva Temple on the levelled surface of the hill
</gallery>

==Importance==

As per [[Manusmriti]], this hill is part of the Vedic state of '[[Brahmavarta]]' the land between ancient [[Sarasvati River|Saraswati river]] and [[Drishadvati river|Drishadwati rivers]]<ref>Manu Smriti, Translated by Pt. Tulsi Ram Swami, published by 'Sarvdeshic Arya Sabha' New Delhi, Chapter 2, Shalok No. 17, page 74.</ref> which was also called '[[Devbhumi]]'. This being a volcanic hill had erupted on the banks of a river [[Drishadvati]], which had its origin in [[Aravalli Range|Aravalli]] mountains, from Lord [[Brahma]]'s abode at [[Pushkar Lake]] near [[Ajmer]]. Even at present times, water from Jaipur district in Rajasthan flows in the ancient river Drishadwati river. According to research by 'Brahmavarta Research foundation',<ref>Sudhir Bhargava, 'Location of BRAHMAVARTA and DRISHADWATI river is important to find the true alignment of Vedic Saraswati river', Saraswati River: International Conference, 20-22 Nov. 2009, at Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra.</ref> [[Rewari]], the main Vedic scriptures like [[Manusmriti]], [[Vedas]] and [[Upnishads]] were evolved and composed in this area called the Manu's state of [[Brahmavarta]], where ''Rishis'' and [[Munis]] had their Ashrams. Lord [[Manu (Hinduism)|Manu]], ''Rishis'' like [[Bhrigu]], [[Chyavana]], [[Durvasa]], [[Pippalada]] etc., who have contributed to various Sanskriti scriptures, had their Ashrams in the vicinity, 50 KMtrs radius of this hill.

== Administration ==

The hill presently falls under the administration of three village [[panchayat]]s, being those of Dhosi in [[Jhunjhunu district]] of [[Rajasthan]] state and of Thana and Kultajpur in [[Mahendragarh district]] of [[Haryana]] state.{{citation needed|date=October 2017}} These villages are situated on the three waterfalls that become active during the monsoons that occur in July–August, being created from the overflow of a reservoir at the summit. The waterfalls are mentioned in the epic ''[[Mahabharata]]''. Each village also has an ancient water reservoir to augment the supply for villagers and animals.{{citation needed|date=October 2017}}

== Fort on the Hill==
{{anchor|Dhosi Hill Fort}}
Dhosi Hill has remnants of a [[fort]] built by Ganga Singh Nuniwal. Earlier [[fort]] built by Raja Nunkaran was destroyed completely in some attacks.

There are thick walls, up to {{convert|25|ft|m}} high and {{convert|40|ft|m}} wide on even the steepest slopes and the top of the volcano. The fort was constructed to safeguard the heritage and ashrams on the hill from frequent attacks by Muslim invaders during the [[medieval]] period. To replace the old temple, a fort modeled on the temple of [[Chyavana]] was built at the crater of the hill in the 1890s by the [[Bhargava]] community.

All-weather stairs in stone and lime plaster are constructed on the Kultajpur and Thana sides.

== Water sources ==

[[File:'Birla Brothers' Plaque at 'Dhosi Hill'.jpg|thumb|Plaque of Birla Brothers at the Dam Sarover on 'Dhosi Hill']]

A {{transliteration|hi|sarovar}} (reservoir) that stores rainwater for bathing of pilgrims has existed at the summit of the hill for centuries. The stored water is claimed to contain a few rejuvenating properties and treatment for skin ailments. The water in the reservoir becomes herbal and also cupric because of the quantity of copper in the hill and growth of rare herbs in large quantities.

The reservoir becomes silted over time and is desilted at regular intervals. In 1944, the industrialists Birla brothers, led by [[G. D. Birla]], who hailed from the nearby [[Pilani]] village, arranged for the reservoir to be desilted and constructed a proper concrete dam on the site to increase the storage capacity. This was done in the memory of their father, Raja Baldev Rai Birla. A plaque is put on the Dam to this effect which states that reservoir could be used for bathing by all shades of [[Hindu]] pilgrims, including [[Sanatani]], [[Harijan]], [[Arya Samaji]], [[Buddhists]], [[Jainism|Jains]] and [[Sikhs]]. This plaque shows that there was no caste barrier to use of the facilities.{{citation needed|date=October 2017}}

In 2003, the reservoir was desilted by [[Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage]], an NGO based in Delhi and Haryana.{{citation needed|date=October 2017}}

A well for the supply of water for drinking and other purposes exists on the top of hill which is recharged by seepage and percolation of water from adjoining reservoirs which are charged by the rainwater on the hill. The [[Government of Haryana]] now provides drinking water at the hill through mechanical uplifting from the base of the hill.{{citation needed|date=October 2017}}

== Parikrama ==
Those visiting the hill on [[pilgrimage]] perform a [[parikrama]] (circumambulation) of it since the time of Mahabharata and Guru [[Shaunaka]] of Pandavas. The 8–9 KMs parikrama track includes some portions which are damaged because of landslides.

== Temples and religious melas ==

Apart from temples at Shiv Kund, halfway to top of hill from Kultajpur side, there are several temples on the crater portion of the hill. Among these is the Chyavana temple, the [[Shiva]] temple on the crater, a [[Devi]] temple on the hilltop, and a [[Rama]] temple next to the Royal Guest House. The Chyavana temple has [[Shekhawati]] paintings in the Garbhagrah of the temple and a basement which can be used as a Dharmshala (resting place) for pilgrims. Among other structures on the hill is the renovated Chandrakoop.

[[Mela]]s are organised at various festivals and other special days. On the day of Somvati Amavasya many people assemble for a holy bath in the {{transliteration|hi|sarovars}}. A map from the 1890s indicates there were then separate [[Ghat]]s for women, known as Janana Ghats, but now they are abandoned.

== See also ==
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* [[Delhi Ridge]]
* [[Forests Department, Haryana#Leopards|Leopards of Haryana]]
* [[Karoh Peak]], Panchkula district, highest point in Haryana, 1467 m peak
* [[Morni]] Hills, Panchkula district, 1267 m peak
* [[Tosham]], 240 m average elevation
* [[Madhogarh, Haryana]], 214 m average elevation
* [[List of Monuments of National Importance in Haryana|Monuments of National Importance in Haryana]]
* [[List of State Protected Monuments in Haryana|State Protected Monuments in Haryana]]
* [[List of National Parks & Wildlife Sanctuaries of Haryana, India|National Parks & Wildlife Sanctuaries of Haryana]]
* [[List of India cave temples|India cave temples]]
* [[List of caves#India|Caves in India]]
* [[List of rock-cut temples in India|Rock-cut temples in India]]
* [[Indian rock-cut architecture]]
* [[Chyavana]] Rishi
* [[List of Indus Valley Civilisation sites|Indus Valley Civilisation sites]]
* [[List of Indian states and territories by highest point|Highest point of Indian states and territories]]
* [[List of mountains in India]]
* [[Haryana Tourism]]
{{div col end}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

{{Forts of Haryana}}
{{Haryana}}
{{Protected areas of Haryana}}
{{Protected Areas of India}}
{{National Parks of India}}

[[Category:Mountains of Rajasthan]]
[[Category:Hills of Haryana]]
[[Category:Hindu pilgrimage sites in India]]
[[Category:Archaeological sites in Rajasthan]]
[[Category:Aravalli Range]]
[[Category:Mahendragarh district]]
[[Category:Jhunjhunu district]]
[[Category:Forts in Haryana]]
[[Category:Archaeological sites in Haryana]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Haryana]]
[[Category:Rebuilt buildings and structures in India]]
[[Category:Volcanoes of India]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Jhunjhunu district]]
[[Category:Hills of Rajasthan]]
[[Category:Mountains of Haryana]]

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Dhosi Hill