Around Jaipur

Before I start, I just want to mention that this post is the continuation of the main blog post on Jaipur. Check that post for various places to see inside Jaipur and trip planning suggestions. Click the link to go to that post http://myjourneysinindia.blogspot.com/2015/04/jaipur-forts-palaces-shopping-food-and.html . Also you can go for Hot Air Ballooning at Jaipur, read this blog post for details and photos. http://myjourneysinindia.blogspot.com/2015/04/hot-air-ballooning-at-jaipur-rajasthan.html

When you visit Jaipur, you may want to stay for at least 5 days, so that you can cover the places around Jaipur. Also you can see the Rural villages, Beautiful wheat fields, Colorful Lorries, customized vehicles and people with colorful turban.... everything is so beautiful to see. So plan it.

We have stayed in Hotel Anuraag Villa which is economic and at a peaceful location. Read my reviews in tripadvisor here. There are plenty of options in Jaipur, refer the user reviews and choose. Rambaugh palace is the most luxurious among all. We hired a car from the hotel to visit these places.

The following places can be covered in two days. See below for multiple photos of each of these places.

1. Harshat Mata Temple in Abaneri
2. Chand Baori or Stepwell in Abhaneri (96 kms from Jaipur)
3. Chokhi Dhani - Ethnic Rajasthani Village
4. Ajmer Dargah and nearby places from Ajmer
5. Pushkar - Brahma Temple, Lake, Camel Safari and Camel Fair
6. Sambhar Salt lake (you need extra day, if you are serious about Flamingo, then ...)

Trip planning suggestion

Day 1: Start with Ajmer Dargah and head towards Pushkar and visit Brahma temple, Lake and enjoy the came ride. If you like visit Gurudwara as well. On the way back, see Ana Sagar lake. Have lunch at Mango Masala Ajmer. Reach Jaipur back. You can also visit other places in Ajmer mentioned below, but might take additional time.
Day 2: Next day after breakfast at Jaipur, head towards Abhaneri and visit both stepwell and Harshat Mata temple and reach back Jaipur. After late lunch, head to Chokhi Dhani which is 55 Kms again from Jaipur. Have fun and traditional Rajasthani meal. Spend time around till 9 or 10PM and reach back Jaipur late night.


1. Harshat Mata Temple
This is just right next to stepwell. This temple was built by King Chand or Chandra of Nikumbha dynasty.  He ruled Abhaneri during 8th to 9th century A.D. Ancient name of Abhaneri is Abhanagari.
This temple is facing East and built on raised platform and based on Mahameru style. On plan it has a Pancharatha sanctum, Sandhara Garbha, Griha pillared mandapa and crowned by domical ceiling. You can see many brahamanical deities.

In this temple complex, you also can see the Shivling with sugar syrup dripping from a pot placed above. This is something unique I have seen. There were hundreds of bees around. See photos below.

Well raised platform, beautiful view of the temple

Look at the beautiful dome structure 

Domical ceiling, built in 8th century !!

Intricate carvings 

Beautiful sculptures 

Beautiful sculptures 

Beautiful sculptures

Intricate carvings

Sugar syrup over Shivling, Lots of bees around for the sugar syrup 

Sugar syrup over Shivling, notice the bees

Very colorful ! Wheat field near Abhaneri

2. Chand Baori Stepwell, Abhaneri
It is one of the oldest Baori (stepwell) in Rajasthan which was built by King Chand or Chandra of Nikumbha dynasty. He ruled Abhaneri during 8th to 9th century A.D. Ancient name of Abhaneri is
Abhanagari. This 19.5 meter deep baori is square on plan with entrance from north. Balconies you see in the pics are having images of Mahishasurmardini and Ganesha. There are many damaged sculptures.

View of Chand Baori stepwell Abhaneri

Notice the beautiful steps and the green water in centre

Another view of Chand Baori Stepwell

3. Chokhi Dhani - Ethnic Rajasthani Village 
This is an ethnic Rajasthani village where you get to see Rajasthani culture and also can have the village style dining on the floor. You need at least around 3 to 4 hours, so plan to come early in evening. This is just 55Kms from Jaipur and on the NH. Kids can enjoy the camel, elephant, horse, bullock cart and boat rides. Mehendi, village shops (artisans village), fire play, Folk dance, Magic show, puppet show and many more. We enjoyed the food. Water was served in a earthern pot glass. Overall it was a good fun plus good place to shop for sarees, sandals, bangles and artificial jewellery, handicrafts...etc. More details in http://www.chokhidhani.com/jaipur-village

Oops, that is so amazing fire play, but he do take lots of risks entertaining us ! 

Bhawai Dance - She is balancing those pots very well, and she picks the Rs.100/= note with the pots on her head which is really amazing !

Magic show at Chokhi Dhani Jaipur

Entrance Chokhi Dhani Jaipur

Traditional Rajasthani Thali (meal) at Chokhi Dhani Jaipur

Kalagram Shopping at Chokhi Dhani Jaipur

4. Ajmer Dargah and nearby places from Ajmer

1. Dargah Sharif or Ajmer Sharif is a sufi shrine of sufi saint. The shrine has the grave (Maqbara) of the revered saint, Moinuddin Chisti. It is one of the holiest places of worship in India for all the people of all faiths. Thousands of people visit this place. 
2. Ana Sagar Lake - Artificial lake
3. Ajmer Jain Temple or Jain Nasian Temple - It has golden hall with gold plated wooden figures. We could not visit this place. 
4. Taragarh Fort - This is yet another beautiful fort, just 5Kms from Ajmer. If you get time you can visit. We could not visit this place as well. 

Ajmer Dargah

Ana Sagar Lake, the waves look bit scary, see the building in middle of the lake !

Colorful boats in Ana Sagar Lake

Food at Ajmer
In Ajmer you have Mango Masala restaurant where we found south indian, chinese and snack items. There is also Sheesh Mahal if you like to have Rajasthani Thali(meal).

5. Pushkar
Pushkar is 14Kms from Ajmer and assumed to be one of the oldest cities in India. Pushkar is famous for the Brahma temple which is built during 14th Century.

1. Brahma Temple - Dedicated to Lord Brahma which is the specialty. There is one temple near Trichy Tamil nadu which is called Uttamar Koil and again dedicated to Lord Brahma.
2. Savithri Temple on Rathnagiri Hills - You might need to climb and it is steep. But view of entire Pushkar lake and city is good. We did not attempt this. 
3. Pushkar Lake - The pushkar lake is believed to be very sacred and it has 52 ghats. In this holy water people take bath. 
4. Pushkar Camel Safari - There are sandy fields in the Aravalli mountain range and small dunes, beautiful hills. The camel ride is very interesting and kids will enjoy for sure. You get to see the small villages on the way.
5. Pushkar Camel Fair - This happens in November and Pushkar is famous for this as well. 

Steps leading to Lord Brahma Temple Pushkar

Brahma Temple Pushkar

The ground where the Pushkar Camel fair will happen in November

The ground where the Pushkar Camel fair will happen in November

Camel Safari Pushkar

Camel was thirsty, even that goat as well - Camel Safari Pushkar

Camel Safari Pushkar

This small boy was the rider - Camel Safari Pushkar

View from inside the cart - Camel Safari Pushkar

Rajasthan Folk dance and music performance by locals to entertain us

Small sand dunes and camel cart - Camel Safari Pushkar

Beautifully decorated entrance tower in Pushkar, Aravalli hills at the back

Gurudwara Pushkar

Pushkar Lake and holy water

Shops at Pushkar

Shops at Pushkar

6. Sambhar Salt Lake
This is 97 Kms from Jaipur. Plan and carry food and water. Need extra day to cover this as this is yet another direction from the above places.

Very famous for Flamingos. But I heard that this will be dry throughout the year except thin layer of water just after monsoon. November to March seem to be ideal season to spot Flamingos. There is nothing other than just the Flamingo watching and no great restaurants or anything close by, so plan and carry enough food and water with you.

Related Blog posts

You may also want to check the related post on all the places in Jaipur - Forts, Palaces, Food, Shopping and Hot Air Ballooning at Jaipur. See below the pictures and click the links below to read the posts. 

Jaipur Forts, Palaces, Food, Shopping                  Hot Air Ballooning at Jaipur

                           

Check my other blogpost "Rajasthan Photo Feature"

      

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