Idar is a historical town in the
Sabarkantha District of
Gujarat. Situated at the southern edge of the
Aravalli Ranges, it is the classic example of a naturally protected hill fort. It was the capital of the Idar State under the rule of the Rathore Rajputs. There is an ancient fort named Ilva Durga which is mentioned in the
Mahabharata and in the travelogue of Hiuen-Tsing, a Chinese traveler.
A three storeyed clock tower-cum-entrance gate, with a huge arch and semi circular dome at the top, is the entrance of the town. The town has a colorful bazaar on both sides of the road which leads to the tower and ends at the foothills of Idar Fort. Visitors can see the ruins of the old palace with delicately carved balconies. The palace has many pillars, brackets and foliated arches. Rani Talav, a huge water tank, is situated near the palace.
