Ahar Museum

Ahar has ancient history going back 4000 years and was a Harappan civilization known as Tambavati Nagri, of Tamravats. Ahar is an archaeological site and is very popular with researchers. A new town was settled here by Rawal Allat of Mewar in 950 AD.

Ahar is situated just 3 km from Udaipur. Ahar was known in the past by several names viz. Aghatpur, Ahad, Aitpoor, Anandpura or Gangodbhav Tirtha. The location has ancient temples going back to 10th century AD. Several excavations have been carried out by the Archaeological Department of the State that have revealed the remains of the Chalcolithic era in Rajasthan going back to 3750 years. Ancient temples, sculptures, coins, pottery and mounds from the ashes of volcanic eruptions are found in abundance at Ahar. There are four Jain temples here that are over a thousand years old but are still in excellent condition.

Ahar was also the royal crematorium of the Mewar royals. Most of the royal Sisodia Maharanis and several Maharanas of Udaipur were cremated at Ahar. There are nineteen splendid cenotaphs that can be seen in Ahar. The most spectacular cenotaph at Ahar is of Maharana Amar Singh, the ruler of Udaipur from 1597 to 1620.

The Ahar Museum is home for exhibits from 10th century onwards including a superb image of the sun god Surya. Exhibits from the excavations carried out at Dhulkot, a 4,000 year old township can also be seen here apart from some beautiful Hindu and Jain icons. A tenth century metal sculpture of Buddha is a huge draw.

With the depth of history associated with it, Ahar is an enriching experience of everyone visiting Udaipur.