HINDU PILGRIMAGES

Of the literally thousands of temples, a few have come to be known as major pilgrimage centres, and include the following:

BRAHMA TEMPLE, (Pushkar)

Though he may have no other temple sacred to his memory, Brahma seems to have take full advantage of the only one where prayers are offered to him. Not only did he perform a yagya or ritual fire ceremony here, he also dropped a lotus from his hands to create the lake where people bathe before offering him prayers. A silver turtle at the entrance of the marble temple is a symbol of the marble temple is a symbol of his means of transport (the gods had various animals on which they moved along their heavenly paths).

Pushkar is best known for its Brahma temple, though it is by no means the only temple here, with as many as four hundred temples lining the banks of the lake. Spires form a skyline that, when the vesper bells ring, are worthy of the kingdom heaven itself. Though it is visited throughout the year, Pushkar in November, during he time of its annual fair, is a colourful mass of people and celebrations coinciding with the largest camel fair held in the world.

EKLINGJI TEMPLE, (Udaipur)

The founder of the Mewar dynasty that ruled from Chittaurgarh, Bappa Rawal had a miraculous dream in which he prayed before an image of Shiva which resulted in the removal of a problem that had been troubling him in his waking hours. He resolved then to build a temple to Shiva, and so the complex had its genesis, 24 km north of Udaipur. Eklingji, this particular manifestation of Shiva, has ever since been regarded as the true ruler of the kingdom in whose name th emaharanas governed Mewar, and has been the tutelary deity of the Sisodia clan.

Eklingji consists of a complex of 108 temples, coinciding with the number of beads in the rudraksh necklace that sadhus use for meditation. The temple dedicated to Eklingji is the tallest of them all, its black stone idol a representation of the linga with four faces that have four images in the cardinal directions of Surya, Brahma, Vishnu and Rudra.

The complex also has a life-size image of Bappa Rawal, and its numerous temples have carved images of Ganesh, Ambamata, Kalika, as well as other Shivalingas, and brackets with images of celestial numphs.

GOVIND DEVJI TEMPLE, (Jaipur)

The family temple for the Kachchwahas of Jaipur, and open to the public, the idols in the temple, brought here from Vreindavan, are believed to have been carved by Vajranath, one of the greatest sculptors of the time, and grandson of Krishna. No wonder, the Krishna image has such a bewitching counternance.

The temple was consecrated as part of the City Palace complex by Sawai Jai Singh II. A simple temple, with an open pavilion surrounded by columns, and with a tiered courtyard, obeisance and ritual worship at the temple is deemed high on the scale of merit. Mounted on a silver throne, and ornamented with gold jewellery, the idols are particularly venerated during Janamashatmi, the monsoon celebrations coinciding with Krishna’s birth anniversary.

SHRINATHJI TEMPLE, (Nathdwara)

A Krishna temple with an image carved from a single block of black marble, Nathdwara has a history that is only a few centurises ago.Faced by Aurangzeb’s persecution. Goswami Dev carried this particular idol from Mathura in a chariot, seeking to bring it to Udaipur. However, awheel of the chariot got stuck in the sand and toil as they would, the people could not pull it out. Seeing it as an act of divine will, it was decided that the image of the lord would be consecrated on the very spot, and so the temple of Shrinathji came to be.

At the temple, glimpses of the idol are permitted for short intervals at fixed times of the day, and it is believed that the faithful see him in different moods associated with his life. The curtain cloths behind the idol have also given rise to one of the better known art forms of Rajasthan, its famous cloth paintings or pichwais.

The ruling house of Udaipur has always come to pray at the temple and as the head of his clan, it is not surprising that the maharana is also popularly known as Shriji among his people. Nathdwara is 48 km from Udaipur.

AMBER’S KALI TEMPLE

A 16^th century temple dedicated to the goddess, it has exquisite silver doors. Also in Amber are a number of other Shiva temples.

BIJOLIA AND MENAL

Located on the kota-Chittaurgarh highway, these are Shiva temples dating back to the 10^th century, and have carved images of Shiva, Parvati and Nandi that are particularly note worthy for their craftsmanship.

GALTAJI

Rising sharply from a deep gorge are hills where the medieval Janamashatmi, the monsoon celebrations coinciding with Krishna’a birth anniversary.

KAILA DEVI

This hilltop temple has a following throughout Rajasthan, and is 24 km from Karauli. It becomes a point of pilgrimage in the months of Chaitra (March-April) and Ashadha (September-October).

KOLAYAT

An ancient pilgrimage spot associated with the great sage Kapil Muni, it is 50 km from Bikaner, and has a number of temples around the ghats of the lake.

OSIAN

Off the Jodhpur-Bikaner highway, and 65 km from Jodhpur, this was once a major centre of pilgrimage both for Hindus and Jains. The remaining temples are like a cathedral to their grand faith in the medieval ages.

RANTHAMBHOR’S GANESH TEMPLE

Famous as a tiger reserve, the fort within the sanctuary has a Ganesh temple that has a large following among the people of Rajasthan.

JAIN PILGRIMAGES

The restrained austerity of the Jain way of life has its anti-thesis in the delightful exuberance, even opulence, which one sees in their temples.

DILWARA TEMPLE (Mount Abu)

For many visitors, this is reason enough to visit Mt Abu. Located within an ancient mango grove, the Dilwara temples are profusely carved, and are open between noon and six in the evening. During the morning, the priests perform several ritual ceremonies that are not open for public viewing. The Jains house images of their tirthankaras (those who impart knowledge) within the sanctums, and the two main shrines, those of Adinath and Neminath, are elaborately carved, from doorways and lintels to ceilings, pillars, walls and arches. The sculptor’s art is as much a dedication to the gods as it is a repository of the stone-carver’s skill, enshrined here forever. A separate hall, dedicated to the donors who worked towards the building of these magnificent temples, houses their life size images including the delicate tracery of their garments captured in exquisite detail on marble.

PARSVANATH TEMPLE (Nakoda)

Situated in a valley ringed by hills, on the Jodhpur-Barmer highway, the temple dedicated to the tirthankara Parsvanathis carved in black stone. Beside it are other Jain temples, including Shantinath with its steep flight of stairs, as well as some ancient Hindu temples.

RANAKPUR

Since the Jains held important positions in Rajput courts, made their money through trading, and were influential moneylenders to the royal house, it was hardly surprising that the Ranas, in turn, were patrons of the Jains and their quiet religious ways. In fact, the tract of land on which the Ranakpur temples have been laid was a gift of the Ranas to the Jains in the 15^th century. The Chaumukha is its principal diety in the main temple with its impressive dimensions: 29 halls spread over 40,000 sq ft and consisting of 1,444 pillars, not one of the which is alike in it’s carving. Cupolas surround the five spires. Three entrances lead to the temple via doublestoried portals and pillared courts. Halls and courtyards radiate around the main shrine. Also in the valley are polygonal sun temples, and two 14^th-century Jain temples dedicated to Neminath and Parsvanath.

SHRI MAHAVIRJI TEMPLE

Located 90 km from Ranathambhor, it is believed that the spot was converted into a pilgrimage spot following the unearthing of a statue of Mahavira by a cowherd. The temple is a vast complex that has been constructed with white sandstone, and has cupolas of red sandstone. Its chhatris and spires are visible from all around. The walls are painted with religious scenes, and facing the temple is a tower where the footsteps of Mahavira have been consecrated.

RISHABDEO TEMPLE (Dhulev)

A temple complex that is beautifully complex, 64 km from Udaipur, it is dedicated to Rishabdeo, while images of several other tirthankaras are carved into panels on the walls. Built in the 15^th century, the temple has stone elephants at the entrance, and images of goddesses, flanking the main shrine. Various phases of Rishabdeo’s life are also illustrated through sculptured panels. Offerings of saffron are made to the deity, and a rath yatra every year attracts pilgrims from all over.

BHANDASHA JAIN TEMPLE

A 16^th century temple dedicated to the 23^rd tirthankara Parsvanath, this temple in Bikaner is very popular.

LODURVA

An important complex of Jain temples near Jaisalmer, they are known for the fine quality of their sandstone carvings.

ISLAMIC PILGRIMAGES

Though there are mosques in most settlements, a few are important.

DARGAH SHARIF (Ajmer)

A Sufi saint, khawaja Moinuddin Chisti was a descendent of Prophet Mohammed, and was offered this land during the reign of Prithviraj Chauhan. He built himself a formidable following, and not only among Muslims. It is said that when he was 114 years old, the saint locked himself into a room to pray. Six days later, when disciples broke open the door, they found his mortal remains. It is for this reason that the annual urs is celebrated here for a period of six days. At the time of this feast, consecrated food is cooked in huge cauldrons, and served by those who serve at the shrine, while standing within it. It is belived that the huge cauldrons were a gift from Emperor Akbar who came to pray at the shrine and pray for the boon of heirs, and was blessed with sons. Ever since, the Mughals have always come to pray at Ajmer.  Qawwalis are sung at the shrine in a mesmeric tempo, and people offer chadars at the grave of the venerated saint.

TARKIN KI DARGAH (Nagaur)

A discipline of Chisti too gained himself a following, and his tomb in Nagaur has become associated with miracle cures among people of all faiths.