Entry

Pilgrimage In Rajasthan.

Apr 4th, 2008 02:47
kumar gaurav, http://www.rajasthantravelguide.co.in/

Ajmer-e-Sharief :
Ajmer city is a famous pilgrimage place for Hindus as well as for
Muslims alike who come to pray at the revered Dargah, or the holy shrine
of the popular 13th century Sufi Saint Hazrat Khwaja Moin-ud-din Hasan
Chishti. The Dargah, together with its mosques is believed to be a place
of wish fulfillment for those who pray with devout and pure hearts.
Every year, the six-day Urs Festival marks the death anniversary of
Chishti. During this festival thousands of pilgrims of different faiths
visit the Dargah from all over the world in prayer and celebration.
Ajmer was founded by Ajayadeva, an 11th-century Rajput ruler. It was
annexed shortly afterwards by the Delhi Sultanate in 1193, but was
returned to the local rulers upon payment of tribute. During the
medieval period, Ajmer became a part of the mighty Mughal Empire and was
then an important military center. Military campaigns against local
Rajput rulers were initiated from Ajmer . At the end of 12 th century, a
Sufi saint Khwaja Moin-ud-din Chishti, the patron saint of Ajmer ,
arrived here. Born in Asfahan in 1135 he lost his father at a young age.
As time passed, he came in touch with a mystic, Hazrat Ibrahim Qandoozi,
who left his young mind with an impression that was never to be erased.
Soon after, he recognized a higher calling and left for Khorasan.
Chishti traveled far and wide and during his search, met spiritual guide
Hazrat Khwaja Usman Harooni, who accepted him as a mureed (spiritual
disciple) and with whom he met mystics and sought the Truth. In 1186 he
was appointed successor by his spiritual guide and a year later, after
his visit to Medina , ensued on his journey to Ajmer . The revered Sufi
saint arrived in Ajmer in 1192 as an ambassador of peace and humanism.
Popularly known as Gharib Nawaz (protector of the poor), he dedicated
his entire life to the service of mankind. His simple life spanned
almost a 100 years and he embraced death in solitude in 1236 while he
had withdrawn to his cell for six days, asking not to be disturbed. The
Dargah erected by Humayun also has mosques that were built by rulers
like Shah Jahan, Jahangir and Akbar. Emperor Akbar made several
pilgrimages to Ajmer on foot and also built the kos minars (brick
pillars marking every two miles) along the road from Agra for pilgrims.
He also built a fort here called Akbar’s Palace. The Emperor Shahjahan
built marble pavilions around the Ana Sagar Lake in the 17th century.
The Scindia rulers of Gwalior took over Ajmer , which was then taken
over by the British in 1818. The British also founded the prestigious
school, Mayo College , in Ajmer in 1875.
Birla Mandir :
A new temple, also known as Birla Temple, built entirely of marble, this
is a showcase of the continuing skill of the mason and the sculptor.
Eklingji Temple :
Eklingji, the city dotted with temples, is located about twelve miles to
the North of Udaipur in Rajasthan. 22 kms from Udaipur, The temple
occupies an area of about 2500 sq. feet and is about 65 feet in height.
Eklingji is a complex of 108 ancient temples, incised out of sandstone
and marble. The temple, built in AD 734, to propagate the blessings of
Lord Shiva, worshipped as the Ultimate Reality, the supreme power, and
the wholesome one - Parabhrama, is venerated by the Mewar household.
Eklingji (Shiva) whose temple is located here, is said to be the
guardian deity of Mewar. This deity was regarded as the virtual ruler,
by the Maharajas of Mewar - who considered themselves to be regents
(Dewans) under Eklingji. Ekligji (Kailashpuri) is a town situated in a
beautiful valley and it attracts multitudes of visitors throughout the
year. This temple is said to have been founded by Acharya Viswaroopa a
contemporary of Adi Sankaracharya and is linked with the Sharada Math at
Dwaraka founded again by Adi Sankaracharya. The temple area is fortified
and a strong wall runs around it. The main entrance to the temple on the
Western side welcomes visitors into a big hall resting on profusely
carved pillars. In this hall, is a silver image of Nandi. There are two
more Nandis in the temple, one made of black stone and the other of brass.
Other deities housed in the temple complex include Parvati, Ganesh,
Ganga, Kartikeya , Yamuna and Saraswathi. There are also small temples
dedicated to Ambamata, Kalka Mata and Ganesh in the temple complex.
There is another temple called Nathon Ka Mandir in the temple complex
with inscriptions dating back to the 10th century CE. No worship is
offered here. There are two tanks situated on the Northern side of the
temple - Karz Kund and Tulsi Kund. Water from these tanks is utilized
for temple services. Temple services are performed in a very elaborate
manner in the Vedic and Tantric styles - everyday beginninG at 4 in the
morning. Shivratri is an important religious event, when the image of
the deity is decked with jewellery. The town of Eklingji is full of
temples. There are about 70 temples in all. Mention must be made of the
Sas-Bahu marble temple, dating back to the 11th century. It is a fine
specimen of ancient art with sculptural details. The Adbhudji Jain
temple is of black marble and it dates back to the 15th century CE.
Other temples in Kailashpuri include those of Pataleshwar Mahadeo,
Arbada Mata, Rathasan Devi, Vindhyavasini Devi.
Dilwara Jain Temples :
The Jain temples at Dilwara, near Mount Abu are considered to be
masterpieces of temple architecture
These are the main temples in Dilwara
* The Vimal Vashi temple
* The Luna Vashi temple
* The Adinath temple
* The Parshvanath temple
The Vimalvashi temple was built by the commander Vimalshah on the order
of King Bhimdev in 1031 A.D. It took around 1,500 workers, several years
to build. There are forty eight pillars, sixteen pillars have the images
of females figures in dancing poses. The rang mandap is a beautiful
piece of architecture. The images that can be seen are Saraswati,
Lakshmi as well as scenes from the princely courts of Ayodhya and
Takshashila. Navchauki is a platform divided into nine parts. The
artistic roots are decorated with elephants and goddesses. Lunvasahi
temple has the image of the Jain tirthankara Neminath. Sculptures in
stone, elaborate carvings, beautiful pillars, dome shaped roofs give a
majestic and surreal look to the temple. There are sixteen images of the
goddess of knowdege and also carved are glimpses from Lord Krishnas
life. The footsteps of Dada Sahab and the kirti Stambha are also worth a
mention. Apart from these, the temples dedicated to Rishabhdev,
Parshvanath and Lord Mahavir are also classical examples of art. Mount
Abu, where the Dilwara temples are located, is referred to as Arbudgiri
in ancient Hindu and Jain scriptures and is the only hill-station in
Rajasthan as well as a very important Jain pilgrimage center.
Ranakpur :
Ranakpur in the state of Rajasthan is one of the five most important
Jain pilgrimage. It is home to an exceptionally beautiful temple complex
in the Aravali ranges and a must visit for the tourists coming to this
region.
http://www.jaipurtravels.com/
http://www.jaipurtravelguide.com/
http://www.jaipurtourismguide.com/
http://www.jaipurjaipur.com/
http://www.jaipurhandicrafts.com
http://www.udaipurtravels.com/
http://www.agratravels.com/
http://www.pushkartravels.com/
http://www.rajasthantravelsguide.com/
http://www.rajasthantravelguide.co.in/
http://www.travelpackagerajasthan.com/
http://www.namaskarindiatravels.com/
http://www.hillstationindiatour.com/
http://www.wildlifeindiatravel.com/
http://www.travelpackageindia.com/
http://www.traveltoindia.biz/
http://www.info4india.com/
http://www.indiantravelguideindia.com/
http://www.indianhotelsindia.com/
http://www.travelinindia.biz/
http://jaipurtravelsguide.blogspot.com/
http://rajasthantravelsguide.blogspot.com/
http://indiatravelsguide.blogspot.com/
http://jaipurrajasthanindia.blogspot.com/
http://travelguiderajasthan.blogspot.com/
http://aahindia.blogspot.com/
http://worldtravelsguide.blogspot.com/
http://indianhotelsindia.blogspot.com/
http://wildlifeindiatravel.blogspot.com/
http://pushkartravels.blogspot.com/
http://indiantravelguideindia.blogspot.com/