The name constructed by the shared grandeur of a hill and a village.
Devgadh Baria is one of the most splendid towns in Gujarat captivating a bunch of welcoming people and scenic beauty that makes it worth visiting especially during the monsoons. Crossing the lush green meadows on a three plus hour road trip from Ahmedabad is totally worth its charisma.
Seeing the drama of the peahens and peacocks welcoming you to the town of simplicity will make you go gaga over the subtle magnificence of the same. While the families of Baria visit Devgadh (the hill) to celebrate every little joy of their lives, the devi mandir at the top rewards you with the best of scenic treat which is popularly known as Baria (the town).
Baria, on one hand is a collective vase holding pretty fresh buds ready to bloom at the earliest as the town has featured most of the top Chartered Accountant students. Not only this, but Baria has witnessed over four Bollywood film shoots namely parts of Saheb, Biwi aur Gangster, shot mostly at the Raj Mahal; capsuling a spacious land with immense greenery.
Devgadh Baria surprises you more than you expect because every time you cross the main chauraha of the town, you either end up smelling the enticing Samosa-Kachoris from the Mehtas or get entangled in the loopy conversations of the ultra-sweet gentry. With the facilities of a well-organized Govt. hospital plus dispensary, ATMs, Gymkhana, eateries, etc. Baria, on the whole offers you time and peace. With well managed little offices to minimal workloads, people find their pouch of happiness in their work.
The town mostly shuts by 9 in the night and in case you lose the track of time in your schedule, the Ghantaghar’s bell is right there to ring you up every hour denoting the course of day. The oldest Vidyalaya, Ranjitsinh ji High School, still echoes the sound of boys playing cricket in the hot summer playground.
In a conversation with Dr. Ashok Johri, who happens to be a pediatrician as well as a close family member says-“Baria is a wonderful place to be at, it gets wonderful during Monsoons” and now it’s been over than a decade he’s residing in the town and holds a hospital for the kids of the town.
Talking about the attractions in and around the town, one shouldn’t miss the beauty of Raj Mahal which still is the dwelling space of the Chauhans.
Raj Mahal
The royal house in the dainty town of Gujarat is a space spread over acres of land where the royal family of the Chauhans still reside. Offering over 60+ rooms, the majestic white beauty is a soulful treat to every visitor of Baria. While the Raj-Maali maintains the garden outside the bungalow, the fountains add to the beauty of it.
Since the population isn’t over a bunch of 10,000 souls, Baria makes you feel homely even when you visit it for the first time and the people readily wake up early on their Sundays to show you the place around.
Devgadh BaapJi Mandir
What is the best gift India gives you while you trek high up a hill? It gives you a mandir, a little dainty space that’d offer a spectacular vision down the hill and the one you’re surely going to take your cameras out on.
An interesting fact that comes along this mandir is the sacred craft of the region which are the terracotta horses with an open mouth. People here, have a strong belief in the local god Baapji that pours in the pious energies and also fulfills the wishes been asked by the visitors.
A common practice here is to turn the face of the horses to the back when the wish is fulfilled with the positive blessing of Baapji. Located on the top of the hill, you can either trek your way through the path for an adrenaline rush in the blood or can even opt for a gypsy ride that can drop you right at the top.
Hawa Mahal (ruins)
Next to the temple at the top, you’d be mesmerized by the beauty of these ruins of Hawa Mahal hold a strong history and was earlier a place for the Chauhan kings to hide themselves during a war and was later defined as a servant quarter where all the workers of the royal family stayed.
The breath-taking narrow steps of the palace are sure to take you to a state of complete wonder as it opens up to a balcony as photogenic as the hill top. Places with a strong cultural and communal sense are sure to leave you stunned at Devgadh Baria.
RanjitSinh ji Sr. High School
A former student of the school and a native of Baria, Hiten bhai expresses his love for the school by saying, -“The Banyan tree here still reminds me of my childhood wherein the whole school would gather under the tree for assemblies, blood-donation camps, polio Sundays, etc.” The big banyan tree has been in the school for more than 80 years now and it truly reflects the glory of a happy town, Baria.
Located in the Dahod district of Gujarat, the town is perfect for your weekend getaway from Ahmedabad/Baroda. While the best season to visit Devgadh Baria begins from August-October, it is always suggested to drive carefully on the concentric hill roads of the town. Not restaurant grand, but Baria offers decent food at the little eateries which is then coated with love and joy and served to you with a smile. Fresh Lassi and Kulfi also are a must bite at the town. Moreover, the princely state is truly worth a visit.
