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Ajmer
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South west of Jaipur, Ajmer is an oasis
wrapped in the green hills. The city was founded by Raja Ajay Pal
Chauhan in the 7th Century A.D. and continued to be a major centre of
the Chauhan power till 1193 A.D. When Prithviraj Chauhan lost it to
Mohammed Gaure. Since then, Ajmer became home to many dynasties. Today,
Ajmer is a popular pilgrimage centre for the Hindus as well as Muslims.
Especially famous is the Dargah Sharif-tomb of the Sufi saint Khwaja
Moinuddin Chisti, which is equally revered by the Hindus and Muslims. It
is a centre of culture and education, the British chose Ajmer for its
prestigious Mayo College a school exclusively for Indian nobility. Ajmer
is also the base for visiting Pushkar (14 km.), the abode of Lord
Brahma, lying to its west with a temple and a picturesque lake. The
Pushkar Lake is a sacred spot for Hindus. During the month of Kartik
(Oct./Nov.), devotees throng in large numbers here to take a dip in the
sacred lake. |
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Ajaipal Chauhan founded Ajmer in the seventh century. He constructed a
hill fort "Ajaimeur" or the invincible hill. The Chauhans ruled Ajmer
till the 12th century when Prithviraj Chauhan lost Mohammed Ghauri.
Thereafter it became a part of the sultanate of Delhi. Ajmer was also
favourite residence for the great Mughals. One of the first contacts
between the Mughal King Jahangir and Sir Thomas Roe took place here in
1616. The Scindias took over the city in 1818 and then handed it over to
the British and it became one of the only part of Rajasthan controlled
directly by the East Indian Co.
The bus stand in Ajmer is located near the RTDC hotel Khadim. And the
railway is further north and most of the hotels are west of the
stations. Northeast is the main post office and most of the cities
market is located behind and up to Agra Gate. Further north is a large
artificial lake called the Anna Sagar.
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| Places of Interest |
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Dargah Khwaja Sahib
It is the landmark of Ajmer and one of the holiest of Muslim shrines in
the country. It has a secular appeal and revered by people of all sect.
Khwaja Moin-ud-din Chisti, a Sufi saint from Persia made this place his
abode from 1192 till he died in 1236 AD. Mughal King Humayun completed
the construction of the shrine. The Dargah is approached through a
massive gate with silver doors built in several stages. Emperor Akbar
made an annual pilgrimage to Ajmer. Mughal Emperors Akbar and Shah Zahan
have built mosques in the complex. The saint's tomb is in the centre of
the second courtyard and the actual tomb inside is surrounded by a
silver railing and partly by a marble screen. The tomb is of marble and
dome is gold plated. The atmosphere inside the shrine is charged and
supernatural with burning |
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of incense
and offerings of flowers mainly rose and sweets.
As you enter the Dargah courtyard, you see two massive 'degs'
meaning cauldrons. Mughal Emperors Akbar and Jahangir donated these cauldrons
originally but they have been replaced in the nineteenth century. The
larger cauldron can contain as much as 4480 kgs of rice while the
smaller one contains 2240 kgs of rice.
The shrine comes alive with activity when millions of devotees throng
the shrine during Urs fair. Urs is held on the seventh lunar month
according to Islamic calendar and is variable according to the solar
calendar. Sufis and believer converge from all over India and abroad, as
it is believed that those visiting during Urs receives special blessings
of the saint. It is compulsory that you cover your head while inside the
complex so remember to carry a skullcap or a scarf. The skull-cap is on
sale in the colourful market just outside the Dargah. It is also
customary to make floral offerings mainly of roses, incense sticks and
sweets that are locally available. |
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Nasiyan Red Temple
The red temple is a Digambar Jain temple which has a double- storey hall
adjacent to the main temple. The hall displays a series of large gold
plated wooden figures depicting legends from Jain mythology. The entire
hall is richly adorned by glass mosaic, precious stones, gold and silver
work. The place is also popularly called Soni Ji Ki Nasiyan. |
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Taragarh
Fort
The giant
fort stands guarding the city. It has six gates. The fort
also has Miran Saheb ki Dargah who was the governor of the
fort and laid down his life in an encounter. It gives a
panoramic view of the city situated in Nagpahari of Aravalli
ranges, this fort has immense archaeological and historical
importance. |
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PUSHKAR
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PUSHKAR-
the 'Pilgrim City' is a picturesque town 14 kms. from Ajmer, known
for its temples and lake, the Nag pahar (Snake Mountain), which
forms a part of chain of the Aravali range, stands between Ajmer and
Pushkar. The road from Ajmer to Pushkar is a very interesting drive
as the road winds through the Nag Pahar, leading to the ancient
lake. The town situated around the beautiful lake is surrounded on
the three sides by hills, while the fourth side cordoned by the
sands which have drifted from the plains of Marwar.
It is one of the most revered places of Hindus and referred as Tirth
Raj' or the king among pilgrims, just as Banaras is their 'guru' or
preceptor. No pilgrimage to Badri Narain (Himalayas), Jagannath
(Orissa), Rameshwaram (Tamil Nadu) and Dwarka (Gujarat) the four
principal Hindu places of pilgrimage is complete till the pilgrims
bath in the sacred waters of Pushkar. |
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According to Padam Puran, the Hindu religious text, Lord Brahma was in
search of suitable place for a Vedic yagna. While contemplating, a lotus
fell down from his hand on the earth and water spurted from three places
one of them was Pushkar and Brahma decided to perform his yagna over
here.
The beautiful Pushkar Lake is a sanctified spot, and considered as old
as the creation, and has been a place of pilgrimage since time
immemorial, surrounded by 52 bathing ghats, where people come to take a
dip with deep religious faith rooted in their hearts. Pushkar has with
stood the test of time, and has been a mute witness to the procession of
history from the time of Rama, the hero of the earliest Hindu Epic
Ramayana, to Fa-Hien's accounts of Pushkar in 4th century AD., and to
the time of Muslim invasion.
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| Places of Interest |
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PUSHKAR FAIR
The Pushkar
Camel Fair is one of the largest in India and the only one
of its kind in the entire world. During the fair, Lakhs of
people from rural India flock to Pushkar, along with Camel
and Cattle for several days of live stock trading, horse
dealing, pilgrimage and religious festival. This small town,
becomes a cultural phenomenon when colourfully dressed
devotees, musicians, acrobats, folk dancers, traders,
comedians, sadhus and tourists reach here during Pushkar
fair. According to Hindu chronology, it takes place in the
month of Kartika (October or November) beginning on ashtmi
8th day of Lunar Calendar and continues till full moon (Poornima).
The Camel and Cattle trading is at its peak during the first
half of festival period. During the later half, religious
activities dominate the scenario. Devotees take dips in the
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holy "Sarovar"
lake, as the sacred water is known to bestow salvation. This
small town is transformed into a spectacular fair ground, as
rows of make shift stalls display an entire range of objects
of art to daily utility stuff. Decoration items for Cattle,
Camel and women, everything is sold together. Small
handicraft items are the best bargain for buying souvenir.
The Camel and Horse races have crowds to cheer. Camel
judging competitions are Quite popular with animal lovers.
Each evening brings different folk dances and music of
Rajasthan, performers delivering live shows to the roaring
and applauding crowds.
Pushkar fair has its own magic and it's a lifetime
experience for travellers. It has featured in numbers of
travel shows, films and magazine. According to lonely planet
-"Its truly a feast for the eyes.
If you are any where within striking distance at the time,
Its an event not to be missed." Foot print India handbook
200 I writes- "The huge mela is Pushkar's biggest draw an
unforgettable experience."
Shilpgram:
During the fair, arts & crafts exhibition cum sale is
organised at 'Shilpgram', situated at RTDC Tourist Village
Campus. Crafts persons & artisans from allover Rajasthan &
nearby states participate to exhibit and demonstrate their
art & talent.
Where to Stay:
R. T.D.C. provides the range of tourist hotels in Ajmer,
namely Khadim and Sarovar and Tourist Village in Pushkar.
There are good numbers of luxury, moderate, heritage and
budget hotels for comfortable stay. The Department of
Tourism and many private operators pitch luxury tents during
Pushkar Fair.
For boarding & accommodation, please contact Tourist
Reception Center, Hotel Khadim, Ajmer
How to Reach:
Air -nearest airport is Jaipur, which is connected with
major cities. A newly built air strip at Kishangarh can
cater to small charter flights. Helipad at Ghooghra (Ajmer)
and Devnagar (Pushkar) can cater to clients travelling by
helicopter.
Rail -Ajmer is well connected by Rail to all-important
cities. Pushkar is just 12 Km. away from Ajmer.
Road -Ajmer is well connected to important cities of
Rajasthan and country. Jaipur-145 Km., Delhi-415 Km.,
Mumbai-900 Km., Ahemadabad-520 Km., Jodhpur-205 Km.,
Bikaner-265 Km., Nagaur-1 SO Km., Jaisalmer-475 Km.,
Merta-70 Km., Bundi-180 Km., Kota-220 Km. |
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Pushkar
Lake
Anything
even remotely related to Pushkar Lake has a halo of
sacredness and divinity. Legend has it that a dip in its
waters cleanses all the sins and is the surest way to
achieve salvation from the cycles of life. Circled by some
five hundred odd temples, the lake has 52 ghats, which
connect the temples to the water. These ghats were
constructed by the rulers of the different erstwhile
princely states of Rajasthan and some of them are aptly
named after the states.
Prominent among the ghats are Gau Ghat, Brahma Ghat and
Varah Ghat. Also called Main Ghat, Gau Ghat is the place
from which ashes of Mahatma Gandhi were sprinkled into the
lake. Brahma Ghat is believed to be the spot where Brahma
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himself is
said to have worshipped. The Varah Ghat is famed to be the
place where Vishnu, the preserver of the Hindu Trinity,
appeared in the form of Varaha (a boar), third in the line
of his nine incarnations. It is advisable for the visitors,
who travel to the Pushkar lake, not to take photos and to
remove their shoes before going to the ghats.
Every year on the day of auspicious Kartik Purnima, the
full-moon phase of October/November, Pushkar Lake attracts
thousands of pilgrims from all over the country to take a
holy dip in its waters. It is believed that a dip at the
lake on this auspicious day is equal to the penances done
for one hundred years. The India profile offers tour
packages for travel to Pushkar Lake. |
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Brahma
Temple
This is the only existing temple dedicated to lord Brahma and was
constructed in the 14th century, standing on a high plinth with marble
steps leading up to it.A beautiful carved silver turtle sits on the floor facing the sanctorum
or Garbha Griha. The marble floor around the silver turtle is embedded
with hundreds of silver coins, with donors name engraved on them.
The pious Pushkar Lake, believed to have been created by the falling of
lotus from the hand of Lord Brahma. It is considered to be as old as the
creation. The lake is considered as one of the most sacred spots, and
believed that one dip in the waters of lake on Kartika Poornima is
equivalent to performing yagnas for several hundred years. |
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The charming lake amidst the hills has fifty-two bathing ghats, built
around lake. The water around each ghat is supposed to have special
powers. The Naga Kund is belived to give fertility, Roop Tirth gives
beauty and charm, Kapil Vyapi Kund water helps in curing leprosy and a
dip in the Mrikand Muni Kund grants the boon of wisdom. |
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