Mar 29, 2009 05:41 PM
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(Updated Mar 29, 2009 05:44 PM)
Welcome to Ajmer, the place of Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, its said that only those whom Khwaja himself invites come to Ajmer, and I belive its true to some extent.
Given its easy accessabilty, yet many are not able to plan a vist to this place for some reason or the another unless and untill "Khwaja" himself invites them :)I will keep my review short, here's what I liked abt the place :
1) Divinity : Yes, its true, you can feel the divinity of this place the moment you step on its soil. There's something mystical abt this place that draws thousands every week from all over the country and abroad.
2) Dargah Sharief : The Dargah complex is vast and worth spending atleast half a day there.
3) Hotel Accomodation : Should not be a probelm with hotels available for each and every budget. ( Cant assure availablity during annual Urs thho...our Khadim told us during Urs hotels are over booked and people are put up even in makeshift tents across the roads ! )
4) Accesability : Easily accesible from the metro cities by Train, Even Jaipur is just 135 kms away.
5) Hotel Jannat (Restaurant) : For some decent food in a cozy ambience, head to hotel Jannat, just a minute walk from the Dargah, they got an AC section too :)Now abt some things which can be improved :1) CHAOS AT DARGAH : The moment you reach the apporach road to the dargah, you find beggars pestering you, one advice ...DONT OPEN YOUR WALLET HERE...Else you will be mobbed !
At the main entrance security will frisk you and CAMERAS ARE NOT ALLOWED INSIDE...so you will have to deposit your camera with some of the shopkeepers who even give you a token for the same ! (SCAM !!!!)... In return you HAVE to buy something (Chadars, flowers etc from them)Given the recent incident at dargah we can understand the heightened security.
But not allowing a Digital Camera is like pushing things too much, especially when you can use your Mobile Phone Camera inside The Khadims volunteer to guide you through the complex. I am not sure if they expect some payment from us for the same, coz the one who escorted us, I did not pay him, simply shook his hand and said Thanks instead : Too many Florists and Shops inside the dargah.
They take the serenity of the complex away. No separate entrance/area for ladies inside the main mazaar building, a single gate which is VERY small, common for ladies & gents. Ladies are very much inconvenienced inside given the small room and the huge rush of devotees (mostly males) and some unsocial elements too ( Keep your Wallets and mobiles SAFE ) People around the main mazaar who INSIST that you make some contribution in cash before you leave. And that too paid to them...not to be dropped in the box !
Come on, dont try to tell us that Donations are compulsory! No information board whatsoever, All we come to know abt Khwaja and the shrine is from the khadims and varous "guides" which cant be construed as being authentic. A board explaining the life and times of this great saint would be very helpful.6) The road leading to Dhai din ka jhopra from dargah is in a REAL Mess !
I found the gutters overflowing !7) Lack of Sight Seeing Places : You have Taragarh Fort (10 Kms Away), Pushkar (11 Kms) , Anna Sagar Lake (Nearby) and Foi Sagar Lake...thats all. So not much to see around :)Well, the negatives may be a bit more , but then -ves are everywhere...as Indian we have rather become immune to such stuff (thho I wud really love to see this attitude changing). Hope the authorities who can deliver a change reads this review and set things straight :)
