bundi

Tuesday, 21 May 2013

About Khatushyamji temple :

Khatushyamji's temple, constructed of the famous Makrana marble, is in the heart of the town. Khatushyamji is considered to be the God of theKaliyuga. Shyamji is synonymous with Krishna and thus, he is worshipped in the same form. He is also known as khatu naresh, sheesh ke dani,lakhdatar, teen baan dhari,haare ke sahare, leley ke aswari, baba shyam

History of Khatushyamji temple

Getting to Khatushyamji temple

Tips for Khatushyamji temple stay

Practical info about Khatushyamji temple

Locations in Rajasthan

About Brahma Temple :

Jagatpita Brahma Mandir (Hindi: जगत्-पिता ब्रह्मा मंदिर) is a Hindu temple situated at Pushkar in the Indian state of Rajasthan, close to the sacred Pushkar Lake to which its legend has an indelible link. 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. Although the present temple structure dates to the 14th century, the temple is believed to be 2000 years old. The temple is mainly built of marble and stone stabs. It has a distinct red pinnacle (shikhara) and a hamsa bird motif. The temple sanctum sanctorum holds the central images of Brahma and his second consort Gayatri. The temple is governed by the Sanyasi (ascetic) sect priesthood.[2] On Kartik Poornima, a festival dedicated to Brahma is held when large number of pilgrims visit the temple, after bathing in the sacred lake.

History of Brahma Temple

Temples of consorts

Brahma's two consorts Savitri and Gayatri mentioned in the legend also have separate temples erected for them in Pushkar, but on hills at opposite ends of the lake. The first consort Savitri, who cursed Brahma, is described to be still seating annoyed and enraged in her shrine on the highest hill in Pushkar, while Gayatri afraid of Savatri's wrath sits at a lower hill at the other end, the eastern side of the lake.

Savitri temple located on the top of Ratnagiri hill, behind the Brahma temple, overlooks the Pushkar Lake and the sand dunes on its western side. It is reached by one hour's trek over a series of steps on the hill. The temple (also made of marble) houses a statue of goddess Savitri. An early morning visit to the temple provides a good view of the lake.

The Gayatri temple or Pap Mochani temple is accessible by a 30-minute climb from a track behind Marwar bus stand.

Atpateshwar or Apteshwar temple

The Atpateshwar temple, which is situated in a cave next to the Brahma temple, is dedicated to Shiva. This temple was built by Brahma after he found that Shiva attended the Yagna performed by him in the garb of a Tantric mendicant holding a skull. When Shiva was accosted for this appearance, he was piqued and filled the entire area of the yagna site with skulls. The agitated Brahma meditated to know the reason for such a situation, then he realised that the mendicant was none other than Shiva. Realising his folly, Brahma requested Shiva to attend the yagna. Shiva then attended the yagna holding the skull and Brahma in appreciation erected a temple in honour of Shiva as 'Atpateshwar', next to his own temple. The Linga of Shiva is large and is encircled by a snake made of copper. Shivaratri festival is a special occasion to visit this temple

Getting to Brahma Temple

Tips for Brahma Temple stay

Practical info about Brahma Temple

Locations in Pushkar

Brahma Temple

About Pushkar :

Brahma dropped a lotus flower on the earth – so say the epics – and Pushkar floated to the surface. This pond-sized Hindu pilgrimage town is a magical desert-edged place, with one of the world’s few Brahma temples. Rows of sacred ghats front a mystically magnetic lake, where hundreds of milky-coloured temples and weather-touched domes sit beneath a shifting, pale grey sky. ADVERTISEMENT Smooth operators abound though, as dodgy priests try to outwit pious pilgrims who areintoxicated by God or bhang (marijuana) but are either way enchanted by this much feted low-rent paradise. Try to play the part in Pushkar – no booze, meat, eggs or kissing – or risk offending what you came here to admire. Puskhar is 11km from Ajmer, but is separated from it by the winding Nag Pahar (Snake Mountain).

History of Pushkar

Pushkar is one of the oldest cities of India. The date of its actual founding is not known, but legend associates Lord Brahma with its creation.

According to legend, Brahma was in search of a place for Mahayagna and he found this place suitable. After a long time, Brahma came to known that a demon, Vajranash, was killing people here so the Lord intoned a mantra on a lotus flower and killed the demon. During this process the parts of flower fell on three places which were later known as Jyaistha, Madhya and Kanistha Pushkar. After this Brahma performed a yagna to protect this place from demons. The consort of Brahma, Saraswati, were needed to offerAhuti for the yagna but she was not there that time so Gayatri, a Gurjar girl, was married to brahma and performned yagna. This act made first wife of Brahma, Saraswati, angry and she cursed Brahma saying that he would be worshiped in Pushkar only.^[3] From that day the priests in Brahma temple are from Gurjar community.^[4]

The Mahabharata says that while laying down a programme for Maharaja Yudhishthara’s travel, “Maharaja after entering the Jungles of Sind and crossing the small rivers on the way should bathe in Pushkara". And, as per Vaman Purana, Prahlada on his pilgrimage to holy places visited Pushkarayana.

A Gurjara Pratihara (Gurjar) ruler of Mandore, Nahadarava, restored this tirtha in the seventh century. He got the place cleared and the lake restored by making an embankment on the side of the river Luni. He rebuilt old palaces and built twelve dharmashalas (resting places) and ghats on three sides of the lake.

According to Rajputana Gazetteer Pushkar was held by Chechi Gurjars (Gujjars) till about 700 years ago.Later Some shrines were occupied by Kanphati Jogis.^[5]

There are still priests from Gujar community in Pushkar temple, known as Bhopas.^[6]

The sage Parasara is said to have been born here. His descendants, called Parasara Brahamanas, are found in Pushkar and the surrounding area. The famous temple of Jeenmata has been cared for by Parasara Brahmans for the last 1,000 years. Pushkarana Brahamanas may also have originated here.

It is also the venue of the annual Pushkar Camel Fair. In 1901, the town was part of the Rajputana Agency had a population of 3,831.

Tips for Pushkar stay

Practical info about Pushkar

Places in Pushkar

Brahma Temple

Locations in Rajasthan

About Bundi Palace :

In ancient times, the area around Bundi was apparently inhabited by various local tribes, of which the Parihar Meenas were prominent. Bundi and the eponymous princely state are said to derive their names from a former Meena king called Bunda Meena. Bundi was previously called “Bunda-Ka-Nal", Nal meaning “narrow ways”. Later the region was governed by Rao Deva Hada, who took over Bundi from Jaita Meena in 1342 . renaming the surrounding area Haravati or Haroti.

History of Bundi Palace

The Bundi Palace is situated on the hillside adjacent to the Taragarh Fort and is notable for its lavish traditional murals and frescoes. The Chitrashala(picture gallery) of the palace is open to the general public.In ancient times, the area around Bundi was apparently inhabited by various local tribes, of which the Parihar Meenas were prominent. Bundi and the eponymous princely state are said to derive their names from a former Meena king called Bunda Meena. Bundi was previously called “Bunda-Ka-Nal", Nal meaning “narrow ways”. Later the region was governed by Rao Deva Hada, who took over Bundi from Jaita Meena in 1342 . renaming the surrounding area Haravati or Haroti.

Getting to Bundi Palace

Practical info about Bundi Palace

Locations in Bundi

Bundi Palace

Chitrashala

Maharao Raja Bahadur Singh Museum

About Chitrashala :

The Chitrashala, which is also known as the Ummed Mahal, is a part of the Garh Palace. This area of the palace has a separate entrance and is open for visitors though some other portions of palace are closed for visitors.

The Chitra Shala was built in the 18th century, and forms a set of rooms on an elevated podium above the garden court¬yard. The walls and ceilings of the Chitra Shala are adorned with beautiful paintings like those depicting the stories of Ragmala or Raaslila. This place is open on all days from 8 am to 5 pm and entry is free of charge for all the visitors.

History of Chitrashala

The Chitrashala was built by Rao Umed Singh in the 18th century.

Above the garden courtyard are several rooms with beautiful frescos.

Tips for Chitrashala stay

Practical info about Chitrashala

Locations in Bundi

Bundi Palace

Chitrashala

Maharao Raja Bahadur Singh Museum

About Maharao Raja Bahadur Singh Museum :

This museum is housed in the Moti Mahal, where the current royal descendents live. It is an extraordinary celebration of the lives of the more recent royal members. The first hall is stuffed with stuffed wildlife, chiefly tigers shot by Indian, British and American luminaries. Most visitors are dumbstruck by the tigress with two cubs – all shot by ‘Mr Milton Reynolds, inventor of the ball point pen, in 1953 at Bhimlat’. Other halls contain royal portraits and arrays of weapons.

History of Maharao Raja Bahadur Singh Museum

Maharao Raja Bahadur Singh Museum is located with Moti Mahal, where the current descendants of the royal family continue to live. The first building contains stuffed wildlife. There were rows of stuffed animals skins that were killed by the Maharaja and his friends. We felt awful walking through the building. It is a pity to see how recklessly these beautiful animals have been killed.

Tips for Maharao Raja Bahadur Singh Museum stay

Practical info about Maharao Raja Bahadur Singh Museum

Locations in Bundi

Bundi Palace

Chitrashala

Maharao Raja Bahadur Singh Museum

About Bundi :

With narrow Brahmin-blue lanes, assorted temples, classic havelis, and a picturesque hillside lake, Bundi is the kind of effortlessly charming Indian town you wish you dreamed of – or at least stumbled upon – first. There’s an air of the wonderful here – as Kipling found when he moved here to write – which is most readily felt around the fairy-tale palace looming large and cupola-clad. ADVERTISEMENT Bundi is also a great place to hire a bike for day trips into the nearby countryside. Get home fast though, as the night sky fills with bats, and this discreetly spiritual town closes up shop soon after sundown. Bundi was the capital of a major princely state during the Rajputs’ heyday. Although its importance dwindled with the rise of Kota during Mughal times, it remained independent until incorporation into Rajasthan in 1947. From January to March, delicate pink poppies fill surrounding fields, while in October/November the festivals of Bundi Ustav and Kashavrai Patan inject some evening energy into an otherwise daydreamy town. In August, the town hosts celebrations for Teej.

Bundi is a city with 104,457 101,000 inhabitants (2011) in the Hadotiregion of Rajasthanstate in northwest India. It is of particular architectural note for its ornate forts, palaces, and stepwell reservoirs known as baoris. It is the administrative headquarters of Bundi District.

History of Bundi

Getting to Bundi

Practical info about Bundi

Places in Bundi

Locations in Rajasthan