राजस्थान का हृदय
- Ajmer is located 130 km of Jaipur and just 14 km from the pilgrimage town of Pushkar. The city of Ajmer gets its name from “Ajay Meru”.
- Ajmer is a perfect representation of the diversity of Indian culture, ethics, and sets an example of equality in religion, community, culture, etc..
- Ajmer remains a popular pilgrim attraction where lakhs of piligrims visit the famous brahma temple and take a holy dip, in one of the holiest lake of India named Pushkar jheel.
- Ajmer, is also a resting place of the famous Sufi Saint ‘Khwaja Moinuddin Hasan Chisti’. The Dargah also known as ‘Garib Nawaj’ is equally revered by both Hindu and Muslim.
- The city is surrounded by the lake of Ana Sagar and the rugged hills of Aravalli.
- Ajmer City is also significantly known for the Jain religion and is home to an amazing golden Jain Temple.
पुष्कर "तीर्थ-राज" - "तीर्थों का राजा"
Jagatpita Bharma Ji Temple
Bharma Temple: Brahma Temple, Pushkar (also known as Jagatpita Brahma Mandir) is a Hindu temple situated at Pushkar in Rajasthan, close to the sacred Pushkar Lake.
The temple is one of very few existing temples dedicated to the Hindu creator-god Brahma in India and remains the most prominent among them. The temple structure dates to the 14th century CE, with later partial rebuilding. The temple is made of marble and stone slabs. The temple sanctum sanctorum holds the image of four-headed Brahma and his consort Gayatri (goddess of vedas). On Kartik Poornima, a festival dedicated to Brahma is held when large numbers of pilgrims visit the temple, after bathing in the sacred Pushkar Lake.
Pushkar Lake
Religious Significance
According to the Padma Purana, Brahma Dev killed demon named Vajranabha with his weapon, the lotus-flower. In this process, the lotus petals fell on the ground at three places, resulting in creation of three lakes – the Pushkar Lake or Jyeshta Pushkar lake, the Madya Pushkar and Kanishta Pushkar lake. Afterthis, Bhama Dev came down to the earth, and named the place where the flower (“pushpa”) fell from Brahma’s hand (“kar”) as “Pushkar” and decided to perform a yaga at the place, at the main Pushkar Lake. To get the appropriate result of the yaga both husband and wife have to do yaga. However, his wife maa Savitri could not be present at the time of the yaga.
Brahma Dev, therefore, married maa Gayatri and completed the yagna with her. However, when maa Savitri finally arrived at the Yaga Sathal, she found maa Gayatri sitting next to Brahma Dev in her rightful place. Agitated, she cursed Brahma Dev that he will be worshipped only in Pushkar not any where else. As a result of this, yaga performed by Brahma Dev, in the presence of all the gods, Pushkar lake become one of the five holiest lake. The five scared lakes or Sarovars are Mansarovar, Bindu Sarovar, Narayan Sarovar, Pampa Sarovar and Pushkar Sarovar.
Ramayan and Mahabharat refer to Pushkar Lake as Adi Tirtha. According, to Ramayan, Vishwamitar performed penance at Pushkar Lake and Rishi Vishamitar build the Barhma Dev Temple after the yaga. Taking a dip in the Pushkar lake on the day of Kartik Poornima counted as highly auspicious.
Historical Significance
The Sanchi inscriptions attest to the lake’s existence to the 2nd Century BC. In the 5th centaury, Chinese traveler Fa Xian also refer the religious importance of Pushkar lake during his visit to India. In the 9th Century, king of Mandor, Jodhpur get relief from his skin problem by taking a dip into river. Many rulers from Jaipur, Jodhpur Bikaner and Jaisalmer made great efforts to restore the surrounding ghats and temples.
Varha Ji Temple
यदा यदा हि धर्मस्य ग्लानिर्भवति भारत । अभ्युत्थानमधर्मस्य तदात्मानं सृजाम्यहम्
God Vishnu incarnation (Avtar) to Earth to restore Moral Values, righteousness and uphold Dharm, whenever it was threatened.
Varaha incarnation (avatars) is the third incarnation of the 10 incarnations of the god Vishnu. The temple is dedicated to Varaha Avatar and is one of the largest & the ancient temple in Pushkar. The temple is constructed by the 12th century king Anna Chauhan ji.
Rang Ji Temple
The Rangji Temple is a popular shrine that attracts thousands of pilgrims and tourists every year and is the one of the largest of Pushkar. The temple is dedicated to Lord Rangji, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The temple architecture is a mixture of South Indian style, Rajput style and Mughal style. The high-rising ‘Gopuram’, constructed in South Indian style architecture is main feature of the temple.
The temple is dedicated to Vaishnav sect who worshipped Lord Vishnu. The Vaishnav sect was founded by Shi Ramanujacharya. The Vaishnav sect is divided into four sub-sects or Sampradayas “the Shri Vaishnava, the Vallabh, the Madhva and the Naibarak.
Maa Savitari Temple
The Savitri maa temple in Pushkar is located on the Ratnagiri hill which is a popular pilgrimage site for the Hindus. The temple is dedicated to first wife of lord brahma. Visitor get a mesmerizing view the of Pushkar city and Pushkar Lake from temple as the temple is situated on the top of the hill. To get to top of hill one have to climb either approx. 200 stairs or can take a ropeway/cable car.
There are three idols (Maa Savitari, Maa Gayatari and lord Brahma) established in the temple. As per tradition Goddess Savitri is always worshipped first and then prayers to Goddess Gayatri are offered. Every year lakh of people get blessing of Devi Savitari during the Pushkar Fair.
Maa Gayatri Temple/Paap Mochini Tempe
Gayatri Temple is situated on Nilgiri mountain. A 20-minute trek to the Gayatri Mata temple on Nilgiri mountain will give you blessing of devi and will award you with the best view of Pushkar City, Pushkar lake, Desert Landscape and Sunrise & Sunset. The trek is little shorter as compare to the trek of Maa Savitari Temple. The temple is also known as “Paap Mochini Temple”
Shri Panchkund Temple
Shri Panchkund Temple is dedicated to lord Shiv and it is believed that the temple was build by Pandavas. The temple is situated at a distance of 2 kms from Pushkar Lake. Lush green surroundings and the sacred waters of Panch Kund temple offers visitors a chance to connect themselves with this holy site. A must visit place near Pushkar Lake. To visit to temple you can either take a risksaw or can go by your own vehicle
Shri Atmateshwar Temple
Shri Atmteshwar Mahadev temple is one of the sacred temple of Pushkar and it is belived that visit to Pushkar is incomplete without having the blessing of Atmteshwar Mahadev. The temple is situated 15 ft. below the earth surface, near to Varah ghat. The temple was constructed duirng 12th century A.D. and in Hemadpanti architectural style. The timings for devotees are 9.30 am till 1.30 pm and 4.30 pm till 7.30 pm on all days.
Gurudwara Singh Sabha
Gurudwara Singh Sabha was built in the beginning of the 19th century to in respect to the visits of the first and the tenth gurus- Guru Nanak Dev and Guru Govind Singhji.
Guru Gobind Singh visited this place during their travel to Rajputana States in 18th Centaury and the place initially known as Gobind Ghat. They were served by the priest Chetan Das that time. There is a stone slab inscribed as Gobind Ghat in four different scripts i.e Devanagari, Gurumukhi, Persian and Roman.
There is a hukamnama inscribed on bhojpatra which states that it was presented to priest Chetan Das by Guru Gobind Singh. The main priest also have a handwritten copy of Guru Granth Sahib.
Shri Gyanodaya Tirth Kshetra (Nareli Jain Temple)
The Nareli Jain Temple in Ajmer, also known as the Shri Gyandoaya Tirth Kshetra. It consists of 24 small temples representing 24 tirthankars of Jain religion. The Nareli Jain Temple is an important point of pilgrimage for Digambara Jains.
Sanskrit University
(Adhai Din ka Jhopada)
Originally this place is known as Sanskrit School ‘Saraswati Kanthabharan Mahavidyalaya’ and Vishnu temple that were built by Vigraharaja IV (Bisaldev) Chauhan. Sanskrit University is located in Ajmer city of Rajasthan also known as Adhai Din Ka Jhopra. This Sanskrit School was demolished by Qutub-ud-din Aibak in the year 1194 and this place laterly known as Adhai Din Ka Jhopada. According to another belief, it got its name due to the two and a half day long Urs (of Punjab Shah) held here.
The architecture of temple is decorated pillars (situated on 16 pillars) have been used in Indian style, on top of which the roof has been constructed. Circular and flute shaped minarets have been constructed in each corner of the temple.
Soni Ji ki Nasiyan
(Ajmer Jain Temples)
Soniji ki Nasiyan, also known as the Ajmer Jain Temple is dedicated to first tirthkankar of Jain religion “Risabh Dev Ji or Adinath Ji. The temple was constructed during 19th centuary by seth Moolchand Soni and seth Nemichand Soni and the temple is one of the richest temples of India. The entrance of the temple is made of red stone and the images of Tirthkanars are engraved on the marble staircase. The main attraction of the temple is its main chamber i.e. known as “Swarna Nagari” (City of Gold). This famous architectural marvel finds a mention in Kurt Titze’s book, ‘Jainism.
On entrance to the temple one gets the view of the 82 feet high Manastambha. The central image is of Lord Rishabhdev seated in the “Samavasharana”. In the year 2005, the 3 Vedi’s were renovated and all the idols of Tirthankaras were re-installed. In this portion only Jains are allowed to perform their religious rituals. In the year 1974, Vidhyasagar Ji Maharaj inaugurate a big library established by R.B. Seth Sir Bhagchand Soni. This library houses rare Jain scriptures which are extensively used for research by scholars.
Ajmer Sharif Dargah
(Garib Nawaj)
The shrine dedicated to sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chisty, built in the 13th century, the shrine is popular among people of all faiths who came here to have their prayers answered.
The shrine has three gates – the main gate or the Nizam gate, the Shah Jahan gate constructed by the Mughal Emperor and the Buland Darwaza. Thousands of people from all over the India visit the shrine on the occasion of the saint’s “urs” or death anniversary.
Tara Garh Fort
Taragarh Fort was built by King Ajaipal Chauhan. The fort has three massive big gateways named Phuta Darwaza, Lakshmi Pol, and Gagudi Ki Phata. The main gate of the Taragarh consists of two bastions on both sides with strong guard rooms.The main attraction of the fort was its one of the biggest cannon named as Garbh Gunjam placed on Bhim Burj. Within the fort, there are many tunnels available. In early times, these tunnels were used as a hideout to escape during enemy attacks. Taragarh fort is also famous for Dargah of Hazrat Miran Sayyed Husain Khangswar (Miran Sahib)
Best time to visit:
Taragarh fort can be visited through out the year, but during summers, temperature get a little high. So, it is suggested to visit the for during winters as the weather gets extremely pleasant and soothing during the winter months so planning a trip between October to March is the best idea.
Entry Fee & Timings:
Timings to visit the Taragarh Fort, Ajmer are from 7 AM to 8:30 PM, on all days of the week. To visit the fort, you will not have to pay any entry fee. However, if you are not familiar with the place and need a guided tour, you can hire a professional tour guide and will have to pay for the service of the guide.
Prithvi Raj Smarak
Prithvi Raj Smarak has been made in the honor of the brave Rajput, Prithvi Raj Chauhan III. The last Hindu ruler of Ajmer and Delhi “Prithviraj Chauhan” is regarded as the symbol of devotion and courage, in 12th century.
The memorial has a statue of the king Prithiviraj Chauhan in black stone, mounted on a horse. The horse has one of its front hooves up in the air, as if charging forward. Prithviraj Chauhan has been shown with a bow and arrow in his hand. The memorial stands at the top a hill, surrounded by the Aravalli range, which gives the visitors a scenic view of the city of Ajmer. The memorial also has a garden adjacent to it, wherein tourists can sit and relax.
Kishangarh Fort
Kishangarh Fort is located Kishangarh city of Ajmer district, Rajasthan. The fort was built in the 17th century by the Maharaja of Kishangarh, Raja Roop Singh. The fort is situated on a hilltop and is surrounded by a ditch on three sides. The fort has several gates, including the Ganesha Gate, the Chand Gate, and the Kalki Gate. The fort also has a number of temples, including the Kalyanji Temple, the Khodiyar Mata Temple, and the Jain Temple.
The main attraction of the fort is the “Phool Mahal” which was used as a summer palace by the Maharaja. The palace is adorned with beautiful frescoes and paintings. The Durbar Hall in the fort was the place, where the kings carried out their official meetings on a daily basis. Lakes like Gundu lav talab & Hamir Sagar are located nearby the fort.
Some of the nearby places that can be visited during Kishangarh fort visit are Nimbark Peeth & Chor Baori -Salemabad Roopangarh, Ruins of Karkeri fort and Cenotaphs of Shri Jawan Singh-Karkeri, Group of old Makbaras-Tukda, Tilonia, Pitambar Ki Gaal – Silora & Ruins of old Palace or Sarai- Chatari .
Todgarh Wild life Sanctuary
टोडगढ़ – रावली वन्यजीव अभयारण्य राजस्थान, भारत में एक वन्यजीव अभयारण्य है। राज्य के अजमेर, पाली और राजसमंद जिलों में फैला हुआ है, यह 1983 में स्थापित किया गया था। यह उष्णकटिबंधीय पर्णपाती जंगलों और घास के मैदान के लगभग 495 किमी 2 पर स्थित है। प्रमुख वन्यजीवों में तेंदुआ, जंगली सूअर, चिंकारा, आम लंगूर, सुस्त भालू और भारतीय भेड़िया शामिल हैं। साथ ही, 2013 के सर्वेक्षण में लगभग 143 पक्षी प्रजातियों को यहां दर्ज किया गया था।[1] निकटतम प्रमुख शहर अजमेर है, जो 105 किमी दूर है। अजमेर जंक्शन रेलवे स्टेशन और ब्यावर रेलवे स्टेशन निकटतम रेलवे स्टेशन हैं।
स्थान
[संपादित करें]अभयारण्य अरावली पहाड़ी श्रृंखला के बीच में काफी हद तक स्थित है, जो टोडगढ़ गांव पर आधारित है, जो NH-8 दिल्ली-उदयपुर राजमार्ग पर जस्सा खेरा से 25 किमी दूर है।
दुधलेश्वर मंदिर
[संपादित करें]करंज, इमली और बरगद के ऊंचे पेड़ों से घिरा शिव को समर्पित एक प्राचीन मंदिर पर्यटकों को आकर्षित करता है। मंदिर में झरने के पानी का एक बारहमासी स्रोत है। यहां एक प्राचीन शिवलिंग है और इस शिवलिंग से जलधारा बहती है। जिसे हर मौसम में देखा जा सकता है।
प्रज्ञा शिखर (महा शिला अभिलेख)
[संपादित करें]प्रज्ञा शिखर के नाम से यहां एक पहाडी पर महाशिला अभिलेख के रूप में सुदूर दक्षिण से लाया गया विशालकाय काले ग्राईट पत्थर पर मानवीयता के संदेश आने वाले 5000 वर्षो तक देता रहेगा। इस महाशिला अभलेख के अतिरिक्त यहीं पर मनोहारी हितमा मय वातावरण में एक विशाल पुस्तकालय एवं सभग्रह भी है। जो पर्यटको को अपनी और आकर्षित करता हैं।[2]
पीपलाज माता का मंदिर
[संपादित करें]टोडगढ़ के पास देवल उनवास में पीपलाज माता का पुराना भव्य मंदिर है।[3][4]इसे देवलमालिया भी कहते हैं। पीपलाज देवियों में सबसे बड़ी देवी मानी जाती है।[5] इस मंदिर से कई पौराणिक कथाएं जुड़ी हुई हैं।[6]
काजलवास धुनी
[संपादित करें]काजलवास धूनी प्राचीन धार्मिक महत्व का स्थान है जहां ‘नाथ’ संप्रदाय के नौ योगियों ने गहन तपस्या की है।[7] यह अरावली रेंज [8] की गोद में सिरियारी, राजस्थान, भारत से लगभग चार किलोमीटर पूर्व में स्थित है। इस स्थान पर नौ नाथों की समाधि है और समाधि पर श्रद्धा सुमन अर्पित करने के लिए प्रतिदिन कई भक्त इस स्थान पर आते हैं।
देवेर
[संपादित करें]देवर महाराणा प्रताप से जुड़े अभयारण्य के अंदर एक ऐतिहासिक स्थान है। यह वह स्थान है जहां उसने अकबर की मुगल सेना को हराया था। जेम्स टॉड ने अपनी पुस्तक एनल्स एंड एंटीक्विटीज ऑफ राजस्थान में इसे “मेवाड़ का मैराथन” कहा है।
भीलबेरी फॉल्स
[संपादित करें]भगोरा वन खंड में अभयारण्य के अंदर 55 मीटर ऊंचा झरना है। बरसात के दिनों में पानी का गिरना देखा जा सकता है। इसके पास की चट्टानों पर लंबे बिल वाले गिद्धों और कई चट्टानी छत्तों को बसते हुए भी देखा जा सकता है। भीलबेरी से 4 किमी प्रकृति पथ जीप द्वारा पहुंचा जा सकता है।
दर्शनीय स्थल
[संपादित करें]- 1. महादेव मंदिर – यह स्थान टॉडगढ़ तेजाजी मंदिर से पाडल सीसी सडक पर नर्सरी तालाब के किनारे स्थित एक सुन्दर एवं पुराना शिव मंदिर है।
- 2. बडा का माजाती का मंदिर एवं सन सेट पोईंट :- स्थान टॉडगढ़ से लगभग 3 किमी पर ग्राम मालातो की बैर में स्थति है विवरण आगे दर्ज हैं।
- 3. देव जी का मंदिर :- यह मंदिर पुराना ऐतिहासिक मंदिर जो कि टॉडगढ़ बसा तभी से पूजा जा रहा है जो तेजारी मंदिर के पास स्थित हैं।
- 4. शीलता माता मंदिर :- यह प्रज्ञा शिखर के पास टॉडगढ़ देवगढ सडक पर स्थित एक भव्य मंदिर हैं।
- 5. तेजाजी का मंदिर :- टॉडगढ़ में ही स्थति है जो पुराना मंदिर है जहां पर दूर दूर से र्स दंश के केस ठीक होने हेतु आते हैं हर वर्ष मेला लगता हैं।
- 6. धर्मा की तलाई :- यह टॉडगढ़ से बराखन सडक होते हुए कानपुरिया से 3.500 किमी दूर कच्ची सडक से पहाडी पर राजस्थान के गुरूशिखर के बाद दूसरी सबसे उंची चोटी हैं।
- 7. मांगट जी महाराज का मंदिर :- यह स्थान टॉडगढ़ से 17 किमी दूर बडाखेडा से सरूपा पक्की सडक से पहाडी पर 4 किमी उपर स्थति एक पुराना धार्मिक स्थल है विवरण आगे दर्ज है इसी स्थान के पास कुण्डामाता का मंदिर का दर्शनीय स्थान भी है।
- 8. गोरमघाट :- उदयपुर शहर से करीब 136 किलोमीटर दूर गोरमघाट, रावली टॉडगढ़ अभयारण्य की प्राकृतिक छटा और इसके मध्य जोगमंडी वाटर फॉल देखकर हर कोई रोमांचित हो उठता है। यहां मीटर गेज पर धीमी गति से चलने वाली सात डिब्बों वाली मावली-मारवाड़ ट्रेन ही रोमांच का सफर करवाती है।[9] मानसून शुरू होते ही यह ट्रेन गोरमघाट के रेलवे स्टेशन खामली घाट तक जाती है और इसमें रोमांचक सफर करने वाले पर्यटक ही देखने को मिलते हैं।[10] ब्रिटिश काल के समय का ट्रैक और उस पर से होकर गुजरती मीटर गेज ट्रेन मावली रेलवे स्टेशन से रवाना होकर देवगढ़ क्षेत्र के खामली घाट रेलवे स्टेशन पहुंचती है। अब राजसमंद जिले में इस दर्रा से उदयपुर – जोधपुर रेलमार्ग गुजरता है।[11] गोरम घाट को राजस्थान का छोटा कश्मीर है।[12]
- 9. हनुमान प्रतिमा :- टॉडगढ़ से 10 किमी दूर लाखागुडा ग्राम के पास 72 फिट उंची हनुमान प्रतिमा हैं जो पर्यटको का दर्शनीय स्थल है जिला राजसमंद में आता हैं।
- 10. तीन होटल :- (1) टॉडगढ़ में एक यूनाईटेड 21 रॉयल रिसोर्ट टॉडगढ़, (2) हिल वैली रिसोर्ट मेडिया, (3) अमर विलास मालातो की बैर।
- 11. प्राचीन तहसील भवन :- (1) टॉडगढ़ मं ही स्थित है अंग्रेजो के समय से बनी तहसील है जो वर्तमान में राजकीय उच्च माध्यमिक विद्यालय चल रहा हैं (2) इसमें पुरानी ट्रेजरी, जैल, जिसमें स्वतंत्रता सैनानि विजय सिंह पथिक कैद रहे थे जिन्होने 1915 में बिजोलिया किसान आंदोलन का नेतृत्व किया। इस जेल को काटकर विजय सिह पथिक फरार हो गये थे।
- 12. वीर रावत राजू चौहान स्मार्क :- यह स्थान टॉडगढ़ से 6 किमी दूरी पर फुतिया खेडा में चौराहे पर इनकी भव्य प्रतिमा स्थत हैं।
- 13. विक्ट्री मेमोरियल फौजी धर्मशाला :- यह टॉडगढ़ में ही स्थत है द्वितिय विश्वयुद्व में शहीद यहां के निवासीयों की याद मे बनी फौजी धर्मशाला हैं।
- 14. कातर घाटी सडक :- टॉडगढ़ से बराखन सडक पर 6 किमी पर विहंगम दृश्य सजोए अद्भुत सडक है जिसमें यू टर्न (मोड) है जिसका सम्वत् 1956 में अंग्रेजो द्वारा निर्माण करवाया गया। उस समय भयंकर अकाल पडा था जिसमें आस पास के ग्रामीणो द्वारा इसका निर्माण किया गया था।
- 15. बागलिया भग्गड गुफा मामारेल टॉडगढ़ :- भग्गड (गुफा ) ग्राम टॉडगढ़ से भीम टॉडगढ़ पक्की सडक से 1/किमी दूर मामाजी की रेल में स्थित है जो कि टॉडगढ़ से 13 किमी दूर गोधाजी के गांव भीम के पास किले के पास निकलती हैं यह स्थान मामादेव की धूनी के नाम से प्रसिद्ध हैं।