Thread by @Dhani_Marwar

Shri Roopnarayan Ji in Sewantri (Rajsamand), is a very old temple dedicated to Bhagwan Vishnu. Main deity is seated with goddess Lakshmi and Bhudevi. #Mewar

Thakur Jagat Singh Chandawat of Balunda (Marwar) built the current temple in 17th century. Current temple was built without altering the old temple structure, which is now inside the garbhgriha of current temple.

Portrait of Thakur Jagat Singh of Balunda inside the temple.

Thakur Jagat Singh was son of Thakur Ramdas Chandawat of Balunda.

More on Thakur Ramdas Chandawat on this thread.

https://twitter.com/Dhani_Marwar/status/1403237290466414601

Over centuries, many Kings and Rajput nobles came here for pilgrimage, donated villages and valuables to the temple. Earlier, Maharanas of Mewar covered the expenses of this temple, now it is under Devsthan Vibhag.

Roopnarayan Ji from a distance

Roopnagar, one of principal seat of Solankis in Mewar, was named after Roopnarayan Ji. Solankis of Roopnagar were given the duty to protect this temple.

In 1504 AD, this temple witnessed an important event in history of Mewar. Rathore Bida of Mokalsar, who was on pilgrimage here with his family, saved a wounded young man from a group of people who were chasing him.

Following true Kshatriya principles, Bida refused to surrender the wounded man from his protection.

Bida and his men were killed in the fight but they saved the wounded young man, who later became the sovereign of Mewar, known as Maharana Sanga.

Maharana Sanga repaid his debt by granting Jagir to descendants of Rathore Bida in Mewar. One of their thikana is Kelwa.

Cenotaph of Rathore Bida and his family members, right next to Roopnarayan Ji temple. They saved Sanga from Jaimal (elder brother of Sanga) and his men.