History of Datiya
Datia had formerly been a state in the bundelkhand region.The ruling family were Rajputs of the Bundela clan; they descended from a younger son of a former raja of Orchha. The state was administered as part of the Bundelkhand agency of Central India. It lay in the extreme north-west of Bundelkhand, near Gwalior, and was surrounded on all sides by other princely states of Central India, except on the east where it bordered upon the United Provinces. It was second highest in the rank of all the Bundela states after Orchha, with a 15-gun salute, and its Maharajas bore the hereditary title of Second of the Princes of Bundelkhand. The land area of the state was 2130 mi² its population in 1901 was 1759. It enjoyed an estimated revenue of £2,00,000/. The state suffered from famine in 1896-97, and again to a lesser extent in 1899-1900. After India's independence in 1947, the Maharaja of Datia acceded unto the dominion of India; it later merged with the union of India. Datia, together with the rest of the Bundelkhand agency, became part of the new state of Vindhya Pradesh in 1950. In 1956, Vindhya Pradesh state was merged with certain other areas to form the state of Madhya Pradesh within the Union of India.
Datia is the District headquarter of the Datia District. The town is 69 Km from Gwalior, 325 Km south of new Delhi and 320 Km north of Bhopal.It is an ancient town, mentioned in the mahabharata as Daityavakra. The town is a market centre for food grains and cotton products. Handloom weaving is an important industry . Datia is a famed for the seven-storied palace built by Raja Beer Singh Deo in 1614. A pilgrimage spot for devotees, Datia has the sidhapeeth of shri peetambhara Devi, Buglamukhi Devi Temple and Gopeshwar temple. About 15 Km from Datia is the Sonagiri, a scared Jain hill. Datia is 34 km from jhansi, Uttar Pradesh and 52 Km from Orchha.The nearest airport is a at Gwalior. Datia railway station is on the Delhi-Chennai main line. Peetambra peeth is a famous shaktipitha located at the entrance of Datia in Madhya Pradesh. This pilgrimage spot features Buglamukhi Devi Temple. and Dhumavati Mai Temple established by shri Golokwasi Swamiji Maharaj. Vankhandeshwar temple is a Mahabharat period temple of Lord Shiva which is situated at this place. Pitambra peeth is about 1 km from Datia Bus Station and 3 KM from Datia Railway Station.
Peetambra Peeth
Peetambra Peeth" is located near the city. Peetambra Peeth is the famous "Sakti-Peeth" of the country. Sh. Golokwasi Swamiji Maharaj established "Bagla Mukhi Devi" and "Dhumawati Mai" at this place. Vankhandeshwar Temple at Peetambra-Peeth is one of "Mahabharat-Kaleen temple of Shiva."
Sonagiri-Temples
Sonagiri is a famous pilgrimage of the Jains, who come in large numbers annually to worship at these beautiful temples. There are more than One Hundred temples and atract visitors and tourists from distant places. Sonagir is located at 15 Km. from Datia and is connected by Road and Train.
Unao-Balaji Sun Temple
Unao is seventeen kilometers from Datia Headquarters. Balaji Temple is very old temple is said to date from Pre-Historic times. People from very distant places flock to the Balaji Sun Temple on pilgrimage. There is a tank in the vinicity said to contain sacred water and is the popular belief that lepers who take a bath in these waters are cured of their terrible affliction. This is also known as Balaji-Dham. Unao is connected by road only.
Beer Singh Deo Mahal
Beer Singh Deo Mahal is the seven- storeyed palace built entirely on stone by Raja Beer Singh Deo in 1614.
Gopachal Parvat
Situated on the Mountain Area at slopes of Gwalior Fort, it carries unique statue of Jain Tirthankars. The largest Idol of Bhagwan Parshwanath on Lotus is the largest statue (in single stone piece) in the world, being 47 feet high and 30 feet in width. 26 Jain statues in a series give a beautiful and attractivce picturescue.Built between 1398 to 1536 by Tomar Kings - these Jain Tirthankars Statues are a species of Architecture and a treasure of Old Indian heritage and culture.
Rajgarh Palace & Museum
Rajgarh Palace is located near Peetambra-Peeth was built by King Shatrujit Bundela. Palace is made of Bundeli Archetecture. Museum is also located this place and is collection of Geological & Cultural Importance things.
Gujarra
Gujarra is 17 Km. from Datia and is famous for "Ashoka's Shilalekh".
Badoni
This place is known as Chhoti Badoni and is located about 10 Km. from Datia City. There are Guptkalin temples of "Boddh" and "Jain" Religion and famous for Bundeli Archetecture "Fort" and "Hawelies".
Seondha
Seondha is located 70 Km. from Datia and is connected road only. This Tehsil Headquarter is famous for Water fall on Sindh River, Kanhargarh Fort, and Nandnandan temple. At fifteen kilometers from Seondha there is famous temple of "Ratangarh Mata" Temple. This temple is located in dense forest.
Bhander
Bhander is located 30 Km. from Datia. Bhander is recently merged as 3rd Tehsil in Datia District. Mahabharat period name of Bhander was "Bhandakpur" and famous for Son-Tallaiya, Laxman Mandir and Old Fort.
Botonical Garden
This is located on Datia-Bhander road at 5 Km. This place is developed by Forest Department and is dense forest as well as natural place.
Pancham Kavi Ki Toriya
This natural and beautiful place is located 4 Km from Datia and is famous for "Bhairav Temple".
Udnu Ki Toriya
This place is famous for "Hanuman Temple" and is located 8 Km from Datia on the very high Place having about 350 steps.
Temples
In Datia City there are lot of beautiful temples. Datia is known as "Laghu Vrandaban" some of these are "Avadh Bihari Temple", "Shivgir Temple", "Vijay-Raghav Temple", "Govind Temple", and "Bihariji Temple".