It was a rainy season and this month SHRAVAN(Hindi Calendar) or August is full of rains in most parts of INDIA. As planned we reached Ajmer in afternoon. The auto rickshaw Walla’s cost you more considering you new to the city. But our room was already booked by our family friends.
After freshen up in our room we all went to see the Ana Sagar Lake and garden. It’s in the city itself and can go by auto.
Ana Sagar Lake is an artificial lake. It is built by Anaji Chauhan, the grandfather of Prithvi Raj Chauhan, in 1135 -1150 AD and is named after him. The catchments were built with the help of local populace. The Baradari a marble pavilion or pavilions were built by Shahjahan in 1637 and Daulat Bagh , Gardens by Jehangir. The lake is spread over 13 Kilometers. There is an island in the center of the lake which is accessible by boat or water scooter. Boats and water scooters could be hired from the east side of the Dault Bagh. The lake gets dry every summer. This is one of the beautiful lakes in India.
The Ana Sagar Lake is surrounded by many other attractions like the temple of Khobra Behroon which lies on the southern bank of the lake. The lake is an artificial creation that has been a lifeline for the people of Ajmer in the past. The lake still serves as a lifeline of beauty to the city to the locals and the visitors as well.
Afterwards we went to the Dargah Shariff of Hazrat Khwaja Muinuddin Chisty. Due to the month of Ramzan, all the shops along with the Dargah were lightened up. It was a very beautiful view to watch.
Dargah Shariff of Hazrat Khwaja Muinuddin Chishti is indeed an ornament to the city of Ajmer. It is one of the holiest places of worship in India not only for the Muslims but also for the people of other faiths who hold the saint the high esteem and reverence. As mentioned previously. The Khwaja Sahib, as a ‘living spirit’ of peace and harmony, enjoys universal respect and devotion ever since he set his holy feet on the soil of Hindustan.
He has unquestionably been one of the greatest spiritual redeemers of human sufferings. To the faithful and afflicted souls invoking his blessing, he has ever been a never-failing source of moral strength and spiritual enlightenment. Apart from the common people, even the mighty kings of India, both Hindu and Muslim, have paid submissive homage to the great saint and have sought his miraculous aid to solve their problems. The precious buildings and various rich endowments dedicated to the Dargah of Khwaja Sahib are living memorials to and reminders of his continued patronage enjoyed by the people of India throughout the past 750 years.
The Dargah’s main attraction is the mausoleum containing the tomb of the saint which is the sanctum of the Dargah. Among its other prominent attractions which catch the eye of a visitor immediately he enters the Dargah, are the two mighty Buland Darwaza. The other Buland Darwaza in the north, which is now the main entrance of the Dargah. On the top of this gateway, there is the main drum house containing two pairs of huge beating drums which were presented by Emperor Akbar after his successful victory in a campaign of Bengal.
Around the Dargah one can find many places to shop especially rose attar and other eatables.
