Puskar-Ajmer Trip

This was a road trip to Pushkar through NH8. We reached Pushkar in mere 6 hrs, thanks to NHAI for building this fantastic highway. Before reaching Ajmer, one needs to go to the bypass to reach Pushkar. Road to Pushkar is small and moreover lonesome for next 25 kms. We had booked at Gulaab Niwas Palace, a newly built resort with all amenities and perfect view of Pushkar.
Pushkar is a sacred place for Hindus. The only Brahma temple in india. Pushkar means born due to a flower. In Hindu mythology it is said that the gods released a swan with a lotus in its beak and let it fall on earth where Brahma would perform a grand yagna. The place where the lotus fell was called Pushkar. It is situated 14 Km from Ajmer and is one of the five sacred pilgrimage sites for Hindus.

One of the best interesting thing happened here was banners in Hebrew :D. It was a surprise to me to see these. The story from local guide was even more interesting. In Israle its compulsary to have 2 year stint in Army, and after that many people come down to India for some spiritual peace and they visit Pushkar the most.

Ajmer is just 25 kms away from Pushkar and is separated by mountains. These mountains are rocky with no or negligible trace of plantation. Ajmer situated in the green oasis wrapped in the barren hills has been a witness to an interesting past. Ajmer is a very beautiful city, since it is surrounded by the mountain by all sides. You can run your eyes through 360 degrees and you will find the spectacular Aravali Mountains. Ajmer, also known as Ajaymeru, was the city which was ruled by Prithviraj Chauhan. My aim for Ajmer was to visit Dargah, tomb of the most revered Muslim sufi saint Moinuddin Chishti, the Gharib Nawaz.

The Dargah Shareef of Khwaza Moinuddin Chishti is situated at the foot of the Taragarh hill, and consists of several white marble buildings arranged around two courtyards, including a massive gate donated by the Nizam of Hyderabad, a mosque donated by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, the Akbari Masjid, and the domed tomb of the saint. To this place Emperor Akbar, with his queen, performed pilgrimage on foot from Agra every year in observance of a vow he had made when praying for a son. The large pillars, erected at intervals of two miles the whole way between Agra and Ajmer, marking the daily halting places of the royal pilgrim, are still extant.

We had nice time at Ajmer. Bought some Ajmer special sweets, clothes etc.

While returning back, we went to Khatuji Ke Shyam. We had to take a cut from Shahpura, around 150 kms away from Pushkar. The road was the opposite of NH8 and nice bumpy ride. The temple is constructed of pure white Makrana marble and is an example of unique architecture. The idol is in form of a head "SHISH" which appeared in the holy pond as Shyam Kund. The "SHISH" (head) was retrieved and was instituted in the temple.