The state of Rajasthan covers almost all world religions. People of different religious inclinations to live in peace and harmony with each other. This religious tolerance is also demonstrated by the existence of pilgrimages in Rajasthan for the people of every faith. Some of the most famous holy places in India are in Rajasthan. Hordes of pilgrims visit each year pilgrimage destinations in Rajasthan. Religious shrines of Rajasthan are also a feast for the eyes. Are good examples of architectural splendor of Rajasthan state.
There are many Hindu temples, Jain temples and Muslim dargahs be included in the pilgrimage tour of Rajasthan. The trip to Rajasthan is incomplete without a visit to at least some of these holy places. However, covering all religious shrines of Rajasthan in one trip is an almost impossible task.
Pushkar Hindu Pilgrimage: One of the seven sacred cities of Hindu pilgrimage, Pushkar is the only place where a famous temple dedicated to Lord Brahma (creator of the world, one of the Holy Trinity of the Hindus). Hundreds of temples around the lake of Pushkar and the common belief is that a dip in the lake washed all the sins of humankind. According to legend, the lake was formed when one of the petals of the lotus flower in the hand of Brahma fell. The lake is also where the famous Pushkar Fair is held annually in the month of Kartik that usually falls in November or December.
Eklingji Temple, Udaipur, 24 km from Udaipur, this temple complex is dedicated to Ekling ji (Lord Siva). It is said to be built by Bappa Rawal, the founder of the dynasty of Mewar. The complex has 108 temples, the higher you Eklingji, with a black stone idol representing the four-faced linga of Surya, Brahma, Vishnu and Rudra. There are many other idols and sculptures of gods and goddesses like Ganesh, Ambamata, Kalika, Shivalinga and celestial nymphs with a natural size image of Bappa Rawal.
Govind Devji Temple, Jaipur: The ancient temple of the royal family of Jaipur Kachchwaha, it is said that the idols of the temple were brought here from Vrindavan and have been chipped atvby Vajranath (grandson of Lord Krishna and a great sculptor). The picture of Krishna is worth seeing. Sawai Jai Singh II consecrated the temple as part of the palace complex in the city. A simple temple marked by an open pavilion surrounded by columns and a tiered patio, idols of the temple was erected on a throne embellished with silver and gold jewelry.
Shrinathji Temple, Nathdwara, 48 km from Udaipur, Shrinathji in Nathdwara is actually a temple of Lord Krishna with his image carved from a single block of black marble. It is said that Dev Goswami fled to escape from Aurangzeb Mathura and brought to this particular idol, in a car with the intention to bring it to Udaipur. However, his car got stuck in this place and, finally, that he took as a sign of God's will and decided enshrined in the act. Glimpses of the idol are permitted only for short intervals five times a day in different moods. It is said that the paintings of famous pichwai its origin in the custom of the painted curtain cloth behind the idol. The right to pray in the temple of Udaipur and as head of his clan, also known as Maharana Shriji among his people.
Jain Pilgrimages
The beauty of the ease and just a touch of liveliness in their temples that just append to the tranquility of the sacred shrines compliment the constrained austerity of the Jains.
Ranakpur: Ranakpur Temples are built on the site donated to the Jain community for the purpose by the ruling Ranas in the 15th century. Chaumukha is the main deity in the main temple, but is known for having 1444 pillars, all of them are not yet carved one of them is similar in size. With 29 rooms and cupolas surrounded by five towers, there are three entrances to the temple. The valley also has a sun temple polygon, along with two 14-century Jain temples, dedicated to Neminathji and Parsvanathji.
Dilwara Temple, Mount Abu, a former mango grove on the Mount. Abu, temples Dilwara is considered a World Heritage Site with architecture carved. There are images of Jain tirthankaras within the sanctuaries, and the two main shrines are dedicated to Adinathji and Neminathji. An excellent example of the craftsmanship of the stone-carver, with a separate room has been built as a tribute to those who have contributed to the construction of these magnificent temples. Home-size images in which even the delicate tracery and minute details of their clothing have been captured engaging in marble.
Parsvanath Temple, Nakoda: Located on the road to Jodhpur, Barmer, in a beautiful valley, this temple is dedicated to the tirthankara Parsvanathji and has been carved in black stone. Many other temples of Jain temples dedicated to Shantinathji including a steep flight of stairs and some ancient Hindu temples surrounding it.
Shri Mahavirji Temple: 90 km of Ranthambhore, was made when a shepherd found a statue of Mahavira in the same place. White sandstone domes of red sandstone, the temple chhatris and towers are visible from all sides. The walls have been painted to depict religious scenes and in front of the church tower, in the footsteps of Mahavira have been consecrated.
Rishabdeo Temple Dhulev: 64 km from Udaipur, this beautifully carved temple complex is the 15 th century and dedicated to Rishabdeoji tirthankaras images of several other panels have been carved on the walls. Your entry has been decorated with stone elephants and a Rath Yatra held every year attracts thousands of pilgrims.
Islamic Pilgrimages
Few of the most well-known sacred pilgrimage places for Muslim faith have been cited here:
Dargah Sharif, Ajmer: dedicated to a famous Sufi saint, Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti who was said to be a descendant of the Prophet Muhammad, which was where he spent most of his life and left the world of the heavenly abode. Urs is celebrated every year for six days in his memory. It is said that when he was 114 years old, the saint is enclosed in a room for six days to pray and left his mortal body in the desert. Several thousands of devotees throng this place during this time of year and food is cooked in large cauldrons and served to the devotees. The surprising part is that people serve the food while standing in the very hot food in the boilers. These boilers are said to be offered by the Emperor Akbar, when the saint blessed him with an heir to the throne. Qawwalis in the sanctuary and the fragrance of incense, together create a divine effect.
Tarkin ki Dargah, Nagaur: A disciple of Chishti, the saint is said to possess miraculous healing powers and has a grave in Nagaur.
Folk heroes and family deities
Rajasthan is known for its family deities that have been passed from generation to generation and folk heroes who have been sanctified and honored with the positions of the deities and their shrines.
Karni Mata in Deshnoke, which is 30 km from Bikaner, a tutelary deity of the Bikaner royal family, with its origin in the 15th century, was regarded as a reincarnation of the goddess Durga when his prophecy of the founding of the kingdom Bikaner came true. His temple is carved marble facade and is known for its large number of rats that roam here and are believed to be incarnations of the Charans who serve in the temple. It is customary for devotees to offer milk and sweets and is also considered lucky to see a white rat here.
Ramdevji was reputed to have miraculous powers and fought with demons. Born in a Rajput family in Runicha Take, near Pokhara, and it is said that even earned the respect of maulvis who had come from Mecca to challenge his power. if you say that since reaching a divine state of meditation (samadhi) in Ramdevra has been seen by people on horseback from time to time. Each year, two fairs were held in his honor in this region.
The other status icons worshiped here as deities are Pabuji, Gogaji, Mehaji, Harbhuji and Baba Ramdeo. All these folk heroes working for the welfare of the people and community and often died in the process and certainly attained the status of gods to popular shrines in almost all villages and towns of Rajasthan. Is believed to possess miraculous powers and devotees often said to be safe from the problems common to rural life such as livestock diseases, snakebites, poverty and disease.
