Holi Gate

Holi Gate - Hardinge Arch


Holi Gate is one of the main entrance to old city and one of the architectural monuments of Mathura. This gate originally named as ‘HardingeArch’.

Original name:    HardingeArch
In Memory of:     Mr. Bradford Hardinge
When:               1875
Total Cost:         13731 Rs.

City of Mathura has four principal entrances called Vrindavan Gate, Deeg Gate, Bharatpur Gate and Holi Gate. Holie gate was constructed as Agra Gate of the city. Holi darwaja is lofty and elaborately sculptured stone arch has been erected over road. It has in accordance with elegant design in local style. The design was supplied by Yusuf, that time municipal architect. Yusuf had very exceptional taste and ability. Mr. Bradford Hardinge has served many years as collector of Mathura district. He has taken most of steps to improve city amenities. Holi gate construction work was commenced in honor of Mr. Bradford. Holi gate was originally named as ‘HardingeArch’. HardingeArch has been surmounted by a cupola with four corner kiosques. The cost of these additions [cupola] was Rs. 3493 and it supposes to have clock in future. Two shops in identical style was constructed in 1875, one in either side. These shop construction cost was Rs. 1621. These shops were constructed to receive and conceal ponderous staged buttresses. Total expenditure was originally 8617 and has become total of Rs. 13,731.


मथुरा शहर के उत्तर में बृंदावन दरवाज़ा, पश्चिम में डीग दरवाज़ा, पश्चिम-दक्षिण में भरतपुर दरवाज़ा एवम् दक्षिण में होली दरवाज़ा स्थित है! यह सभी द्वार मथुरा से विभिन्न शहरों के लिए निकास द्वार थे! उसी संपर्क शहर के नाम पर इन दरवाज़ों का नाम रखा गया! होली दरवाज़ा को आगरा द्वार की तारह बनाया गया! होली दरवाज़ा पुराने शहर के मुख्य द्वार की तरह शोभित है! मथुरा शहर की पहचान है! होली दरवाज़ा स्थापत्य कला का एक सुंदर उदाहरण है!

इस द्वार का निर्माण १८७५ में मथुरा नगर पालिका ने करवाया था! ब्रॅड्फर्ड हार्डिंग मथुरा के कलेक्टर के पद पर कई साल तक आसीन रहे! ब्रॅड्फर्ड हार्डिंग के काल में, मथुरा के विकास के लिए कई उल्लेकनीय कार्य हुए! उन्ही की याद में इस द्वार का निर्माण मथुरा नगर पालिका ने कराया था! मथुरा नगर पालिका के तत्कालीन वास्तुकार 'युसुफ' ने द्वार की संरचना की! युसुफ द्वारा यूरोपियन एवम् स्थानीय भारतीय कला का संगम करते हुए इस सुंदर द्वार की संरचना की!

ब्रॅड्फर्ड हार्डिंग की याद में इस द्वार का नाम 'हार्डिंग आर्च' रखा गया! होली द्वार विशालकाय, पत्थर का बना हुआ एवम् बहुत सुंदर नक्काशी वाला द्वार है! द्वार के उपर बीच में एक सुंदर गुंबद छत्र एवम् ४ छोटे गुंबद चारों कोनो पर स्थापित है! यह द्वार सड़क पर खड़ा हुआ है एवम् इस द्वार को सहारा देने के लिए द्वार के दोनो ओर टेक हुई है! यह टेक हमें दिखाई नही देती! इन दोनो टेक को छुपाने के लिए द्वार के दोनो ओर एक जैसी दुकानो का निर्माण कराया गया था!

द्वार निर्माण पर कुल १३७३१ रुपयों का खर्च आया!
दुकानों के निर्माण पर १६२१  रुपयों का खर्च आया!
द्वार के मुख्य गुंबद छत्र पर .३४९३ रुपयों का खर्च आया!
द्वार की शुरुआती अनुमानित लागत ८६१७ थी, परंतु असल लागत १३७३१ हुई!

१५ - अगस्त - १९४७ को लोकमान्य बाल गंगाधर तिलक के स्मृति में द्वार का नामे बदल कर 'तिलक द्वार' रखा गया!

wikimapia link:
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=en&lat=27.499309&lon=77.685541&z=19&m=b&show=/10398071/Holi-Gate


Holi Gate - 1890



Comments

Baba Gyanchand said…

Holi the festival of colors is the spring festival celebrated across the country to welcome the full moon day in spring or Falgun (February-March).
Read more about holi.
February 11, 2020 at 11:43 PM
Richerd said…
Awesome post! The city of Mathura is the best place for Holi festival in India. I would love to take my friends for an extended trip to Mathura & celebrate the festival of colors with pomp & grandeur.
February 29, 2020 at 5:08 AM
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