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. Then Prithviraj Chauhan lost it to Mohammed Ghori, after which Ajmer became home to many dynasties. Today, Ajmer is a popular pilgrimage centre for the Muslims as well as Hindus. Especially famous is the Dargah Sharif-tomb of the Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti, which is equally revered both by the Hindus and the Muslims. Ajmer is a centre of culture and education. The British chose Ajmer for its prestigious Mayo College, a school exclusively for Indian nobility at one time. However, now it is one of the best public schools in the country. Ajmer is also the base for visiting Pushkar (14 km.) which has the distinction of having the only Brahma temple in the world. The Picturesque Pushkar Lake is a sacred spot for Hindus. During the month of Kartik (Oct/Nov), devotees throng in large numbers to take a dip in the sacred lake.
Ajmer was also a 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. Thus Ajmer was the only region to be directly controlled by the East Indian Company.
The bus stand in Ajmer is located near the RTDC hotel Khadim. The railway station is further south and most of the office lies in the northeast and most of the city’s market is located behind and up to Agra Gate. Further northwest is a large artificial lake called the Anna Sagar.
Map of Rajastan
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.
ADHAI - DIN KA- JHONPRA
This is a masterpiece of Indo - Islamic architecture. As legend goes, it was constructed in two and a-half days (Adhai-Din). It is a relic of an old mosque consisting of a quadrangle with a front screen wall of seven pointed arches. The distinct pillars and arched screen with its ruined minarets make it a splendid architectural masterpiece.
This is a masterpiece of Indo - Islamic architecture. As legend goes, it was constructed in two and a-half days (Adhai-Din). It is a relic of an old mosque consisting of a quadrangle with a front screen wall of seven pointed arches. The distinct pillars and arched screen with its ruined minarets make it a splendid architectural masterpiece.
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 sects. 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 Jahan 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 the dome is gold plated. Offerings generally consist of flowers, mainly roses and sweets. The aroma of burning incense sticks has a mesmerizing effect on the devotees. The mystic atmosphere inside the holy shrine is suffused with serenity, sanctity and spirituality.
ANA SAGAR
It is an artificial lake named after Anaji Chauhan. The catchments were built with the help of local populace. The 'Baradari' pavilions were built by Shah Jahan to facilitate his long stay in Ajmer. The Baradari and the adjoining parks are the lungs of city and favourite outing spots.
PUSHKAR
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 ranges, 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 three sides by hills, while the fourth side is cordoned by sands which have drifted from the plains of Marwar.
It is one of the most revered places for Hindus and referred as Tirth Raj' or the king among places of pilgrimage, just as Kashi(Banaras) is their 'guru' or preceptor. No pilgrimage to Badri Nath(Himalayas), Jagannath (Orissa), Rameshwaram (Tamil Nadu) and Dwarka (Gujarat), the four principal places of pilgrimage for the Hindus is complete till the pilgrims bath in the sacred waters of Pushkar.
It is one of the most revered places for Hindus and referred as Tirth Raj' or the king among places of pilgrimage, just as Kashi(Banaras) is their 'guru' or preceptor. No pilgrimage to Badri Nath(Himalayas), Jagannath (Orissa), Rameshwaram (Tamil Nadu) and Dwarka (Gujarat), the four principal places of pilgrimage for the Hindus is complete till the pilgrims bath in the sacred waters of Pushkar.
According to Padma 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 being Pushkar and Lord Brahma decided to perform his yagna over here.
The beautiful Pushkar Lake is a sanctified spot, considered as old as the creation, and has been a place of pilgrimage since time immemorial. It is surrounded by 52 bathing ghats, where people come to take a dip with deep religious faith rooted in their hearts. Pushkar has withstood the test of time, and has been a mute witness to the evolution 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., to the time of Muslim invasion to the present day.
The beautiful Pushkar Lake is a sanctified spot, considered as old as the creation, and has been a place of pilgrimage since time immemorial. It is surrounded by 52 bathing ghats, where people come to take a dip with deep religious faith rooted in their hearts. Pushkar has withstood the test of time, and has been a mute witness to the evolution 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., to the time of Muslim invasion to the present day.
PUSHKAR LAKE
The pious Pushkar Lake is believed to have been created by the falling of a lotus from the hand of Lord Brahma. It is said to be as old as the creation itself. As per the Hindu Mythology there are Panch Sarovar (Five Lakes) namely, Man sarovar, Bindu Sarovar, Narayan Sarovar, Pampa Sarovar and Pushkar Sarovar. The lake is considered as one of the most sacred spots. The devotees believe that one dip in the waters of the lake on Kartika Poornima is equivalent to performing yagnas for several hundred years.
The charming lake amidst the hills has fifty-two bathing ghats, built around the lake. The water around each ghat is supposed to have special healing power.
The pious Pushkar Lake is believed to have been created by the falling of a lotus from the hand of Lord Brahma. It is said to be as old as the creation itself. As per the Hindu Mythology there are Panch Sarovar (Five Lakes) namely, Man sarovar, Bindu Sarovar, Narayan Sarovar, Pampa Sarovar and Pushkar Sarovar. The lake is considered as one of the most sacred spots. The devotees believe that one dip in the waters of the lake on Kartika Poornima is equivalent to performing yagnas for several hundred years.
The charming lake amidst the hills has fifty-two bathing ghats, built around the lake. The water around each ghat is supposed to have special healing power.
JAGAT PITA SHRI BRAHMA TEMPLE
PUSHKAR- is a flourishing temple town full of religious myths and faiths, the biggest attraction being the temple of Lord Brahma-Lord of Creation; this is the only existing temple dedicated to Lord Brahma in India. It was constructed in 14th century and stands on a high plinth with marble steps leading up to it.A beautifully carved silver turtle sits on the floor facing the sanctum -sanctorum or garbha-griha. The marble floor around the silver turtle is embedded with hundreds of silver coins; silver coins with the donor's names engraved on them are also inset in the walls of the temple.
Peacocks adorn the temple walls as they are believed to be the vehicle of Goddess Saraswati - the goddess of wisdom and the consort of Lord Brahma. A small image of milkmaid Gayatri, flanks the four faced image of Lord Brahma and is known as Chaumurti. The sanctuary has silver doors inside a carved marble gateway. Steps in the corner lead to a small cave dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Peacocks adorn the temple walls as they are believed to be the vehicle of Goddess Saraswati - the goddess of wisdom and the consort of Lord Brahma. A small image of milkmaid Gayatri, flanks the four faced image of Lord Brahma and is known as Chaumurti. The sanctuary has silver doors inside a carved marble gateway. Steps in the corner lead to a small cave dedicated to Lord Shiva.
VARAH TEMPLE
The Varah temple houses an image of Lord Vishnu in the incarnation of a wild boar(Varah). The temples of Lord Brahma and Varah are considered equally important. This ancient temple believed to be constructed by Chauhan King Anaji (1123-1150), was renovated by Gokul Chand Parikh, a Scindia minister in 1806.
Mythologically, a very important temple, it is believed that Lord Vishnu came on the earth in the incarnation of Varah (Wild boar) to kill the demon Hirnayaksh and liberate the land from his atrocities.
The Varah temple houses an image of Lord Vishnu in the incarnation of a wild boar(Varah). The temples of Lord Brahma and Varah are considered equally important. This ancient temple believed to be constructed by Chauhan King Anaji (1123-1150), was renovated by Gokul Chand Parikh, a Scindia minister in 1806.
Mythologically, a very important temple, it is believed that Lord Vishnu came on the earth in the incarnation of Varah (Wild boar) to kill the demon Hirnayaksh and liberate the land from his atrocities.
Kishangarh
Kishangarh is 27 Kms north east of Ajmer and was founded by Kishan Singh, a Rathore Prince. In the 18th century, it attained fame as one of the finest schools of miniature paintings. Though a smaller school with a much shorter duration it had a more refined style. It peaked under the patronage of Savant Singh, an heir to the throne who later became a hermit. It is said that Savant Singh modelled as Krishna while his mistress nicknamed as Bani Thani modelled for Radha. Paintings of Bani Thani are most celebrated. The artists of this school favoured evening lights and grey skies with fine colours. This outstanding school lasted only a few decades. Today the artists still create reproductions of the work. Kishangarh is now an industrial town for marble and textiles. It is connected by train and bus.
Kishangarh is 27 Kms north east of Ajmer and was founded by Kishan Singh, a Rathore Prince. In the 18th century, it attained fame as one of the finest schools of miniature paintings. Though a smaller school with a much shorter duration it had a more refined style. It peaked under the patronage of Savant Singh, an heir to the throne who later became a hermit. It is said that Savant Singh modelled as Krishna while his mistress nicknamed as Bani Thani modelled for Radha. Paintings of Bani Thani are most celebrated. The artists of this school favoured evening lights and grey skies with fine colours. This outstanding school lasted only a few decades. Today the artists still create reproductions of the work. Kishangarh is now an industrial town for marble and textiles. It is connected by train and bus.
ATMATESHWAR MAHADEO TEMPLE
Another important temple of the town, the 12th century temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva
Tilonia
Tilonia is a small town 25 kms from Kishangarh near Ajmer and 7 kms off Jaipur-Ajmer highway. A distinctive feature of the town is Barefoot college, which began in 1972 with the conviction that solutions to rural problems lie within the community. The College, officially known as Social Work and Research Centre, addresses problems of drinking water, girl education, health and sanitation, rural unemployment, income generation, electricity and power, social awareness and the conservation of ecological systems in rural communities.
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| Inside Dargah Sherif |
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| A marble factory in kishangarh |
Savitri Temple
The temple is located on the hill behind the Brahma temple and one has to climb a long series of steps to reach the shrine. It commands a panoramic view of the beautiful lake and the picturesque surrounding villages.
The temple is located on the hill behind the Brahma temple and one has to climb a long series of steps to reach the shrine. It commands a panoramic view of the beautiful lake and the picturesque surrounding villages.
Old Rangji Temple
Lord Rangji is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. This temple was built in 1823 AD by Seth Puran Mal Ganeriwal of Hyderabad. This temple is unique due to the confluence of South Indian (Dravidian), Rajput and Mughal styles of architecture.
New Rangji Temple
The gracious temple is very conspicuous for its south Indian style of architecture. It has a high rising Gopuram which is typical of south Indian.
Pushkar has more than 400 temples. The other important temples are Banji ka Mandir, Atmateshwar Mahadeo temple, Varah temple and Man Mandir.
New Rangji Temple
The gracious temple is very conspicuous for its south Indian style of architecture. It has a high rising Gopuram which is typical of south Indian.
Pushkar has more than 400 temples. The other important temples are Banji ka Mandir, Atmateshwar Mahadeo temple, Varah temple and Man Mandir.
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| Lake Foysagar at sunset |
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 temple is also popularly called Soni Ji Ki Nasiyan.
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| The pushkar Ghati connecting Ajmer and Pushkar |
MAN MAHAL
Raja Man Singh-I of Amber, built this largest royal house in Pushkar located on the east of Sarovar, the sacred lake in Pushkar. It gives a clear view of the banks and temples located around the lake. It was built as a royal guest house for Raja Man Singh-I on his trips to the holy town. This traditional guest house has now been converted into a hotel, run by Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation.
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| Lake Anasagar against Tagahar hill |
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| Sonji Ki Nasiyan NASIYAN (RED) TEMPLE  |
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