Unveiling The Palace Calendar - 2021

Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar, Chairman and Managing Trustee, Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation unveiled the Palace Calendar at Shambhu Niwas Palace, Udaipur on 9th December 2020. Maharana Mewar Historical Publication Trust has published this yearly calendar on the theme of "Vighnaharta Vinayak Ji Maharaj Rajamahal Udaipur Mewar Birajit", a compilation of Lord Ganesh within the palace premises.

As per Indian tradition and culture every new beginning of event, work, festival etc is initiated after the worship and seeking the blessings of Lord Ganesh (The Elephant God). Lord Ganesh is know by different name, prominent being Agrapujiya, Ganesh ji, Ganapati Ji, Bappa, Bapa, Lambodhar, Vighnaharta, Vinayak ji.

Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar unveiling The Palace Calendar 2021
This year's palace calendar has come up with the depiction of all prominent Lord Ganesh Temple within the palace premises. List includes Palki Khana, Rai Angan, Khaas Rasoda, Badi Pol, Amar Mahal, Zenana Mahal, Karan Mahal and Ganesh Deodi.

National Library Week Celebration

Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation celebrated the National Library week from 14th November 2020 to 20th November 2020. On this occasion, MMCF documented the historical libraries, which were established by the Maharanas of Mewar. Keeping in tune with this tradition, the present library - Maharana Mewar Special Library that came into existence on 08th April 2000, initiated by Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar is contributing to it in a vital way as a hub for cultural expression and heritage preservation. Maharana Mewar Special Library's collection comprises of over 35,000 rare books. The library has a collection of more than 35400 books of varying antiquity, which includes 10000 books on literature, 8961 on religion, 7999 books on general geography and history connected with the world, India and Mewar Dynasty, 6000 books on art and architecture and many other subjects.

The library is also a unique repository of archival documents, rare books and maps. These materials have been catalogued using LIBSYS software and the digital catalogue is available on the Eternal Mewar website:

The passion for books and literature was a tradition followed by most of the Mewar rulers. All the Maharanas had personal libraries. Maharana Kumbha r. 1433 - 1468, Maharana Raj Singh I r. 1652 - 1680, and Maharana Sajjan Singh r. 1874 - 1884, were great collectors of books and established institution like library. Maharana Kumbha established the oldest personal library 'Vani Vilas' at Fort Kumbhalgarh during his reign. Maharana Raj Singh I also had a great interest in book collection. He also established a bureau for translation and made copies of ancient literatures like Ramayana, Mahabharata, Vedas, Puranas etc. On 11 February 1875 CE, Maharana Sajjan Singh established Institutional Library called 'Sajjan Vani Vilas' at The City Palace, Udaipur. Hundreds of books were collected/purchased for the Library by the Maharana. Books of Hindi, Sanskrit, Urdu, Arabic, Persian and English languages were available. .

Maharana Fateh Singh (r. 1885 -1930CE), established a Sarswati Bhandar library at Sajjan Niwas Garden (Gulab Bagh), Udaipur. It had 4210 rare books on history and other subjects. After that, Maharana Bhupal Singh established his personal library in a building next to Khush Mahal in the City Palace. Maharana Bhagwat Singh Mewar also had a personal collection of books and after that, he established His Highness Maharana Bhagwat Singh Library. In 1967, Maharana Bhagwat Singh of Mewar established Shree Mewar Shiv Shakti Peeth Library for Public. This library had 4461 books.

Poster
National Library Week
In 1968, Indian Library Association (ILA) declared this week to be celebrated as the National Library Week across the country and various programs are held to enhance public awareness about libraries.