Travel Guide

Temples of Rajasthan

The most popular Ajmer Sharif Dargah is a place of the worshipers of the Muslims but people from other communities also visit this place in mass number. This place is considered as the final resting place for ‘Garib Nawaz’ or Khwaza Moinuddin Chishti which is situated here in Rajasthan’s Ajmer district where people of all religion come to participate in annual Urs. Urs is a festival which belongs to Muslim religion but actively celebrated among all communities & religions. It is celebrated for three days.

Describing the temples Govind Dev Ji Temple is one of the temples which is very much famous for the name of Lord Krishna. The temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna and has bright hours during the time of Janmashthami which is considered as the birthday of Lord Krishna. The building of the temple dates back to 1890 and has the settings the brilliant architectural of red sandstone. Next to mention is the Eklingji temple which is an impeccable temple for worshipers of Lord Shiva. It is situated in North Udaipur and is well-known for observing the groups of 108 temples in one place. The center of attraction of this temple is the 50 feet high multi-faced idol of Lord Shiva, which is completely made out of black stone.

1. Achal Nath Shivalaya

Achal Nath Shivalaya is a famous Shiv temple constructed in 1531 by Nanak Devi. She was the queen of Rao Ganga. There is a water reservoir known as ‘Ganga Bawari’ located near the Shivling inside the shrine. It is a drinking water tank. Temple also in-houses the Garbha Griha, Mandap Bhavan, and Kirtan Bhawan which has the beautiful work of carved Chhitar stones.

Achal Nath Shivalaya construction completed on 21st May 1531. This old temple is a place of religious faith on Lord Shiva as the diety of people of Jodhpur.

Visiting Time : Achal Nath Shivalaya is open 10 am to 1 pm and 2 pm to 4.30 pm

(Daily)

2. Adishwar Temple

Adishwar Temple famously known by other name 'Chaumukha Temple' also. This 15th century temple shrine known for the unique architectural style of a Nalinigulm Vimana, a heavenly aircraft.

This Adishwar Temple took 65 years for the construction and is the largest Jain temples. Temple has three storeys, 80 domes, and 29 halls. Visitors get surprise by seeing the pavilions of the temple which are supported by 1444 pillars. The innermost part of the temple is adorned with a four faced image of Lord Adinath or Rishabhdev.

3. Ajmer Shariff Dargah

 

 

Ajmer Shariff Dargah is also popularly known as Dargah Sharif. It is most popular and important Muslim pilgrimage. People from all the communities come here and pay homage in the dargah of Khwaja Moin-ud-din Chisti at Ajmer Sharif . Ajmer Sharif is famous for fulfilling the wishes of the devotees. Various followers of different religion offers flowers, velvet cloth, perfume (non-alcoholic) and sandalwood at the Dargah.

Ajmer Sharif Dargah – Khwaja Garib

Ajmer Sharif Dargah is the tomb of the Hazrat Khwaja Moin-d-din Chisti, who was the founder and Islam in India and known as a great preacher of Islam in the world. He was known for his noble teachings and peace. This sufi sainth known to be come from Persia and died in 1236 in Ajmer after winning all hearts. Also known as "Khwaja Garib".

Later Mugal emperorHumayun, Akbar, Shahjahan and Jahangir constructed mosques here.

Main tomb gate is known as Nizam Gate which was erected by Shahjahan so it is also called Shahjahani Gate. After it there is Buland Darwaja. Urs flag is hoisted on it which marks the beginning of the Urs festival.

Ajmer Sharif Dargah Rituals and Ceremonies

Khidmat : This ritual is cleaning of mazar and offerings by flowers. Khidmat is done two times a day. One at 4:00 am with the call of azan and second at 3:00 pm. Morning Khidmat is performed half an hour before the Fajar prayer and evening khidmat is performed only by men. Ladies are not allow the khidmat and offering of flowers and sandalwood takes place with the khadim reciting fateha.

Lighting (Roshni) : Khadims bring candels indise the tomb with the beating of drums and lights up the lamps in the four corners with the recitations of sacred words.

Karka: This is the closing ceremony of the tomb and takes place after an hour of isha prayer. Before 20 minutes of closing the door when the fifth part of the night passes, the clock sound five times. The devotees asked to leave the tomb and three khadims clean the tomb. After that bell rings six times to mark the qawwals sing a special karka song and the door are closed after that.

Sama (Qawwali) : It is the song in the praise of Allah which is sung by qawwals who are devotional singers at the Mehfil-e-Sama in front of the mazar after all namaz are over. Also Quran recital takes place every day.

Best Time to Visit Ajmer Sharif Dargah

Urs festival is the best time to visit Ajmer Shariff Dargahas holy tomb remains open throughout the day and night. Ajmer become a holy place in the Urs festival. During Urs, the Dargah’s main gates called the Jannati Darwaza (Gateway to Heaven), which normally remains closed, are opened for the devotees

Location of Dragah Shariff

It is located in Ajmer city which is well connected with road and rail.

Timings: 
Winters : Gates opens at 5:00 AM and closed at 9:00 PM 
Summers : Gates opens at 4:00 AM and closed at 10:00 PM

4. Akshardham Temple

Akshardham Temple is one of the well-known tourist attractions of Jaipur. The temple is known for its beautiful architecture, magnificent idols, sculptures, and carvings. and is dedicated to the Hindu God, Narayan.

Akshardham temple provides the real glimpse of indian architecture, cultural heritage and sculptures of hindu gods to the visitors. It is located in the Vaishali Nagar, Jaipur.

Timings: 10.30 AM to 06:00:00 PM. Closed on Mondays

How To Reach Akshardham Temple, Jaipur

By Road: Akshardham Temple is located in the heart of Jaipur city near the Gandhi Path. Nearest bus stand is Govind Nagar. It is in Ambedkar Mandir Rd.

By Rail: Akshardham Temple, Jaipur is well connected through Jaipur Railway station to major cities railway stations like Delhi, Agra, Mumbai ,Chennai, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Ahmedabad.

By Air: Akshardham Temple can be reach through Jaipur Airport, also called Sanganer Airport which is well connected with regular domestic flights to Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Jodhpur and Udaipur.

5. Baba Ramdeo Temple

Baba Ramdeo Temple, famous by the name of Adhar Shila temple is located above on top of a sandstone 'Massuria hill'. This hill comes on route between Jalori Gate and Nagori Gate of Jodhpur. Baba Randev temple history allures visitors to know more about the temple.

Known for its divine and devotion, Baba Ramdeo temple has long lost of followers and stories of local beliefs. This mysterious temple has tiny rock at its entrance with the inscription "Enter at your own risk". This makes travellers more curious towards the temple.

With devotees, adventurous people also visited it for the spectaclar views from the top of the temple which could only be possible after climbing through rickety stairs against vertical rock pillars. But now proper stairs are made which easier the task to reach at top and take amazing views.

How To Reach Baba Ramdeo Temple, Jodhpur

By Road: Baba Ramdeo Temple is located at a distance of 7 km from Jodhpur city on Baba Ramdev Rd. One can easily reach here by bus or taxi.

By Rail: Baba Ramdeo Temple is well connected through nearest Jodhpur Railway station to major cities railway stations like Delhi, Agra, Mumbai, Chennai, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Jaipur, Ahmedabad.

By Air: Baba Ramdeo Temple can be reach through nearest Jodhpur Airport (6 km) which is well connected with regular domestic flights to Delhi, Mumbai.

6. Karni Mata Temple

 

The Karni Mata temple is situated 30 kms away from the Bikaner city and is dedicated to Karni Mata, a famous mystic of her times, believed to be an incarnation of goddess Durga. The construction of the temple was completed in mughal style, in the early 20th century by Maharaja Ganga Singh. The temple was further adorned by Kundanlal Verma of Hyderabad-based Karni Jewelers in 1999. The silver gates of the temple and the marble carvings were also donated by him.

This temple is quite famous for a large number of black rats running around the temple complex fearlessly. It is believed that the souls of dead Charans (traditional bards, the devotees of Mata) reside in these rats. It is considered very lucky to spot a rat in the temple. During the time of aarti, these rats are offered sweets, grains, etc by the devotees. Besides of all thousands of black rats in the temple, there are a few white rats, which are considered to be especially holy. They are believed to be the manifestations of Karni Mata herself and her four sons. Sighting them is a special blessing and visitors put in extensive efforts to bring them forth, offering prasad a sweet holy food. These rats are also known as Kabas. These are harmless and play around in the temple without disturbing the devotees. Rather they sit on devotees’ laps, shoulders, hands and head which the devotees think to be of divine spirit and blessings of the Goddess.

The Karni Mata temple is also known as the Rat temple and is named after a woman, who was the seventh daughter of Mehoji Charan and Deval Devi and born in the 14th century in the Suwap village of Jodhpur district of Rajasthan. She was an incarnation of Durga, the goddess of power and victory. She lived an abstemious life, and most of the temples dedicated to her were dedicated during her lifetime.She is an official deity of the royal family of Bikaner and Jodhpur. During her lifetime she performed many miracles and also laid the foundation stone of two of the important forts in Rajputana. She led her whole life to help all the needy peoples, attracted and follewd by huge number of devotees.

These beautifully architectured temple with immence historic significance is attracted by large number of tourists. The Karni Mata Fair is also very popular among the devoteees. This is held twice a year once in the month of March-April and next in the month of september- october. During this seasons the number of devotees visiting the temple increses than usual. This is worth visit place in Deshnok and around Bikaner city.

Location-

The famous temple of Mata Karni is just 610 m away from Deshnok railway station and about 30.5 km from Bikaner Airport, making it easy for the visitor to reach the destination. Karni Mata temple is well connected to Bikaner city with NH 89. Tourists can hire private conveyance such as auto richkshaw , riskshaw , Cab, taxi to reach the temple of ancient era.

Timings-

Devotees can visit any time from dawn to dusk.