Tera Fort is one of the many forts of Kutch, Gujarat, India. It is situated in southwestern Kutch near the village of Tera in Abdasa Taluka.
Tera Fort was built by one of the Jadeja Chiefs, who was given the estate of Tera during the reign of Deshalji I (1718-1741). Tera Fort lies 85 kilometres west of the town of Bhuj. It dominates the plains of Kutch from its position on the banks of Tretara (Three lakes) namely Chattasar, Sumerasar and Chatasar. Tera Fort was badly damaged in a war that was fought during the reign of Maharao Lakhpatji (ruled 1741-1760). Sumraji Thakore of Tera, the chief of Tera Estate, spoke badly of the Rao of Kutch. Lakhpatji sent an army to Tera, to subdue the revolt. For the first time in history of Kutch, artillery power was used in war. This artillery was set up by the famous Ram Singh Malam. The cannon power destroyed most of the fort. The war ended after three months of siege, when Sumraji surrendered and gave a formal apology for his remarks. The fort is now a one of the tourist attraction of the Kutch.
The village and its environs are home to a number of historic structures, including: The Jain derasar of Tera, originally built in the 17th century by Sheth Raimal Shivji and Sheth Buddha Dossa. The temple and its sculptures were rebuilt in 1895,chiefly by the Mistris of Kutch, a notable artisan community in the region. The nine-peaked temple's frontage features sculptures depicting romantic postures. The Tera derasar is one of the five Jain temples of Abdasa ni Panchtirthi, and was further refurbished in 1971.It is now a major pilgrimage site for the Jain community. This temple, together with temples of Kothara, Naliya, Jakhau and Suthri, are known as Moti Panchtirthi (or Greater Pilgrimage) by Jains. The temple is also known as Kanch Mandir (or Glass Temple), as there are elaborate carved paintings on glass inside the temple. The main garbhagriha of the temple houses an idol of Parshwanath carved on black marble; hence, the temple is also called Shamlaji Parshwanathji Derasar.
The Darbar Gadh, the house of the Chief of Tera. The house features original Ramayana wall paintings,produced by kamanger painters; the paintings total 21.9 metres (72 ft) in length and 87 cm in width, and cover all four walls of the Chief's bedroom.The Tera Fort, located outside the village, which was damaged during the revolt of the 1740s.The fort was further damaged during the earthquake of 1819. However, some parts of fort were rebuilt during reign of Deshalji II. The fort is now a tourist attraction.
Present status At present, though farming is the main occupation of Tera's inhabitants, crafts such as Bandhani, block printing, mirror work and Jats embroidery also provide main revenue for the villagers. The town also derives income from visiting tourists and Jain pilgrims. As many as 50,000 Jain pilgrims visit Tera every year to see the Shamlaji Parshwanathji Jain Derasar. Tera was the first Heritage Village declared by the government of India. Tera and its environs are furthermore noted for a variety of wildlife, including chinkara, blue bulls, wild boar, hyenas, Great Indian Bustards, peacocks, Black Partridges, desert fox, Indian Wolf and Caracal. Tera lies on State Highway 49, which connects it to Bhuj, Naliya and Jakhau. Accommodation and hospital facilities are also available in village. Education in Tera is provided by two primary schools and the Sri Tera Gomtiben Naranji Bhadra High School. There are three ancient man-made lakes adjacent to each other in vicinity of village, which provide for the water needs of the village. These lakes are interlinked through underground channels.
BY ROAD: FOR THOSE TRAVELING FROM AHMEDABAD, THE BUS MAY BE MORE CONVENIENT THAN THE TRAIN, THOUGH SLIGHTLY MORE EXPENSIVE. SEVERAL PRIVATE COMPANIES RUN SLEEPER BUSES (WITH A FULL HORIZONTAL BUNK), LEAVING THE CITY FOR BHUJ BETWEEN 8PM AND 11PM, ARRIVING IN BHUJ BETWEEN 6AM AND 8AM THE NEXT MORNING. THESE BUS COMPANIES ALL HAVE THEIR OFFICES AROUND PALDI IN AHMEDABAD; SAHJANAND TRAVELS AND PATEL TRAVELS ARE TWO RECOMMENDED ONES. THERE ARE ALSO PRIVATE SITTING (NON-SLEEPER) BUSES, AND ST (STATE TRANSPORT) BUSES THAT MAKE THE TRIP FOR LESS MONEY BUT CONSIDERABLY LESS COMFORTABLE SEATS. ONCE IN BHUJ, ST BUSES GO TO LARGER DESTINATIONS AROUND THE DISTRICT, PRIVATE JEEPS CAN ALSO BE RENTED (A GOOD OPTION FOR LARGER PARTIES), AND SOME SMALLER PLACES CAN ONLY BE REACHED BY CHHAKDAS.
BY RAIL: TWO DAILY EXPRESS TRAINS, THE BHUJ EXPRESS AND THE KUTCH EXPRESS, GO FROM BHUJ TO AHMEDABAD (8HRS) AND ON TO MUMBAI (16HRS.) HOWEVER, BOTH TRAINS PASS THROUGH AHMEDABAD IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT, AS THE SCHEDULES ARE DESIGNED TO DEPART AND ARRIVE AND REASONABLE HOURS FROM BHUJ AND MUMBAI, NOT AHMEDABAD.
BY AIR : ONE OR MORE FLIGHTS DAILY CONNECT BHUJ TO MUMBAI.
