Shri Mahavirji

Sri Hemkunt Sahib

Varanasi

Vaishno Devi

Tirupati

Sabarimala

Meenakshi Temple

Golden Temple

Basilica of Bom Jesus

Ajmer Sharif

Shri Mahavirji

Sri Hemkunt Sahib

Accommodation
There are state-run tourist resthouses at Joshimath and Ghangharia (Gobind Dham), but pilgrims to Hemkunt Sahib usually prefer to stay at the Hemkunt Sahib Trust’s resthouses along the way. These are situated at Haridwar, Rishikesh, Srinagar and Joshimath, and all offer clean accommodation and basic food, free of charge.

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Varanasi

Tonsured heads, chillum-smoking sadhus, the chanting of mantras and cremation grounds where the fire never dies down. This is Varanasi - the holiest of Indian cities. Also known as Kashi or the "city of light", the abode of Lord Shiva where, according to Hindu religious legends, the first rays of light fell after creation. Here the Hindu world converges to partake in an endless cycle of birth, death. life and salvation.

Attracting over a million pilgrims every year, the city lives and breathes traditional Hindu religion and culture. What Varanasi offers is life itself, in myriad hues like the changing face of its ghats (river landings) with shifting rays of light. The numerous ghats along the Ganga, the narrow alleys and streets with a mixture of rickshaws, cycles, autorickshaws, pedestrians and even cattle and the religious shrines all form a bizarre circus. The devout come to die here, but it is also an amazingly lively place. Famed for its religious fervour as much as its thugs (tricksters), Varanasi is also the place that has evoked some of the most creative processes in philosophy- religion, the arts and craftsmanship.
 

Getting there
Varanasi is connected by air with major cities like Delhi, Agra, Khajuraho, Calcutta, Mumbai, Lucknow and Bhubaneshwar. The Babatpur airport, at a distance of 22 kms from the city, is linked by a shuttle bus service that takes passengers up to the Cantonment; alternatively, you can hire a taxi.

In addition, buses connect the city to Gorakhpur, Gaya, Allahabad, Lucknow, Delhi, Khajuraho and to Nepal. Most buses terminate a short distance from the junction station, and some at the cantonment bus station.In addition, buses connect the city to Gorakhpur, Gaya, Allahabad, Lucknow, Delhi, Khajuraho and to Nepal. Most buses terminate a short distance from the junction station, and some at the cantonment bus station.

Getting Around
Varanasi has a local (though overcrowded) bus network. Cycles and motorcycles are available for hire near Hotel Hindustan International at Maldahiya. The best way to move around the city is to hire the fixed fare autorickshaws or cycle rickshaws. They are not allowed inside the old city lanes, but will drop you at Dashashwamedha Ghat or to Godaulia in the centre of the city. Fares should be negotiated beforehand, cycle-rickshaws costing about Rs. 100 for a day.

Unmetered taxis are also available. Private, chauffeur-driven cars can be rented from travel agents and hotels. One of the best ways of viewing the ghats of Varanasi and getting into the spirit of the city is to take an early morning boat ride. Boats are available at the Dashashwamedha Ghat; a ferry crossing to the eastern side of the Ganga costs about Rs 3 per person.

When to Go
The best season to visit Varanasi and its temples is between October and March. Some of the major festivals and cultural events also take place in this period.

The Ghats and Temples of Varanasi
The city of Varanasi revolves around its over one hundred Ghats (river landings). They inculcate the ethos of this ancient city, changing faces with the varying light throughout the day. The river Ganga flows from north to south, and the city forms a circular shape from the Asi Ghat in the south up to the confluence of the Varuna river with the Ganga. Thousands of pilgrims come to bathe and worship in the river at the first light of dawn.

Most of the ancient temples and structures along the ghats have been destroyed. What remain are mainly 18th and 19th century buildings. A very important pilgrimage for the devout is the Panchatirtha Yatra, covering the 5 important ghats of Asi, Dashashwamedha, Adi Keshava, Panchganga and Manikarnika. The Panchkosi road, beginning from the Asi ghat and ending at the Manikarnika ghat denotes the sacred area of Kashi. A tour around this 58 kms route takes about 6 days on foot. Each of the important ghats have a lingam (phallic symbol of lord Shiva) which is venerated by the devout.

The Asi River meets the Ganga at Asi Ghat. There is a lingam under a peepal tree and a marble temple of Asisangameshwara (lord of the confluence of Asi). An ancient tank dedicated to sun worship, the Lolarka Kund (pool) lies 15 metres below the ground and is approached by a steep flight of steps. The Tulsi ghat, dedicated to the 16th century poet saint Tulsidas is crumbling. Further north is the Harishchandra ghat, one of the two important cremation grounds in Varanasi. Named after the king Harishchandra, it is considered the most sacred cremation ground.

The Kedar ghat has links with the Kedarnath shrine located in the upper reaches of the Himalayas. The dhobi ghat is a washerman’s area, while the Chausathi (64) ghat has a shrine dedicated to Chausath Yoginis, the multiple manifestations of the female force Durga.

The Dashashwamedha ghat is the busiest bathing ghat in Varanasi. The ancient king Divodasa was said to have performed the Dashashwamedha Yajnya (ten horse sacrifice) here. This pleased Brahma, the creator, so much that he established the Brahmeshwara lingam. Boats can be hired at this ghat for a tour of the riverfront. It is also the most popular site for Hindus to perform ancestor worship rituals, and the entire ghat is lined with umbrella covered stalls where Brahmin priests undertake pujas (worship).

The Man Mandir ghat, built in 1600 by Maharaja Man Singh of Amer, has a very interesting observatory. Built in 1710 by the kings of Jaipur, it is similar to the ones in Jaipur and Delhi. There are numerous instruments used for astronomical calculations and is open to visitors from 09:30 am till 05:30 pm. The Dom Raja’s house is next door, with painted tigers flanking the terrace. Doms are the untouchables, who handle the corpses at cremation grounds. Though the Doms belong to a lower caste, their services are invaluable for the dead to be released from their physical bonds and so the leader of the doms is given the title of `Raja’ or king.

The Mir Ghat has a shrine to Vishalakshi (the wide-eyed goddess). It is one of the 52 pithas (pilgrimages) where the body parts of Shakti landed after a distraught Shiva performed his dance of destruction or tandava. The Lalita Ghat is well known for its Nepali style temple with an idol of Pashupateshwara. This ghat also has a temple dedicated to the river Ganga.

The Manikarnika Ghat is the other cremation ground, which is more popularly used by the people. Since Shiva is said to have resided in Varanasi, the entire holy area is considered Mahashmashana (great cremation ground). It is said that the funeral fires never die at the Manikarnika ghat. The Manikarnika kund (tank) is said to predate the arrival of the Ganga, which came down to earth to purify humans.

The Scindhia Ghat was built in such grand style that parts of it collapsed and went under the river. The Alamgir mosque, popularly known as Beni-madhav-ka-dera dominates the Panchganga Ghat. The mosque stands on the ruins of the Bindu Madhava temple, dedicated to Vishnu, which was destroyed by Aurangzeb. The Adi Keshava ghat on the outskirts of the city is the point where the river Varuna meets the Ganga. The ghat is completely submerged during rains. This is the original site of the city, where Vishnu is believed to have landed as an emissary of lord Shiva.

The old city, from Dashashwamedha Ghat and Godaulia in the south to the Manikarnika Ghat in the North is known as the Vishwanatha Khanda. It is a maze of narrow lanes and by-lanes, the focal point of which is the Vishwanath temple, with one of India’s most important lingams or Shaivite shrines. The original temple is said to have been over 1000 years old. The temple is closed to non-Hindus, but can be viewed from shops across the road. The Gyan Vapi tank enclosed in a hall is said to contain the original shivalingam. Pilgrims offer prayers here before embarking on the Panchatirtha.

Next to the Vishwanath temple is the Annapurna temple, built in the 18th century by Peshwa Baji Rao I. The idol of Annapurna Bhavani (the provider of food), a benevolent form of Shakti, is made in solid gold and carries a cooking pot. There is also a striking silver-faced image of Shani (Saturn) within the temple. Shani is feared for his destructive powers and is propitiated to prevent any ill befalling the devout.

The Bharat Mata temple north-west of Godaulia is a modern shrine, inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi. It has a huge relief map of the Indian sub-continent showing all its rivers, mountains and pilgrimages. The 19th century Durga temple, 4 kms from Godaulia, is also popularly known as the ‘monkey temple’ because of an overwhelming presence of the primates. The idol of Durga, a manifestation of Shakti, is dressed in red and rides a tiger with the trident, the discus and a sword in her hands. The temple courtyard has a forked stake for sacrificing goats, and non-Hindus are allowed only up to this point.

The Tulsi Manas temple, though, is open to all communities. Its white marble walls have the verses of Tulsidas’ Ramcharitmanas inscribed on them.

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Vaishno Devi

Nestling on top of the Trikuta Hills at a height of 1,700 mt is the sacred cave shrine of Vaishno Devi, the mother goddess. At a distance of 61 kms from Jammu, the cave is 30 metres long and just one-and-a half mt high. At the end of the cave are shrines dedicated to the three forms of the mother goddess – Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasarasvati. Pilgrims have to enter in small groups through a narrow opening and walk through ice-cold waters to reach the shrines. According to legend, the mother goddess hid in the cave while escaping a demon, whom she ultimately killed.

The shrine of Vaishno Devi is approached through Katra, which lies 13 km from the shrine and is the base for the pilgrimage. From Katra, pilgrims climb one km to Banganga, where the goddess is believed to have stopped to drink water; six km further is the cave shrine of Ardhkunwari, where it is believed she meditated for nine months.

The last halt before the actual shrine is the Bhawan, where there are arrangements for wash- and- change, accommodation and for depositing luggage and valuables.

For pilgrims headed for the shrine, the base for the trek up to Vaishno Devi is Katra, 50 km from Jammu. Katra is connected to Jammu by National Highway 1A); regular buses and taxis are available for Katra from Jammu Airport, from the Railway station and from the General Bus Stand in Jammu. Buses leave the bus stand every 15 minutes for the shrine; bus services operate from 6 am to 8 pm.

From Katra, the shrine is a 13 km trek up a mountain; the climb can be done on foot or by using ponies and dandies (local palanquins).

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Tirupati

Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam, or the abode of the Lord Tirupati, is probably Hindu India’s most visited holy place. Situated in Chittoor district (in southern Andhra Pradesh), the temple stands amidst lush greenery atop a hill surrounded by outcroppings of red rock. The sacred hill, with its summit of seven peaks, has a number of temples, of which the main shrine ranks as one of India's most revered.
 

At the bottom of the hill is the town of Tirupati, known almost exclusively for its role as the base camp for pilgrimages to the temple. Pilgrims from all across India- and even abroad- come to Tirupati in thousands every year to the temple, which is dedicated to Sri Venkateswara - one of the incarnations of Vishnu.

Tirumala is one of the few temples to allow non-Hindus into the sanctum sanctorum. Remember, you have to leave your footwear behind at the stall outside the temple compound. And, do not succumb to the high-pressure tactics of ticket toting touts; get yours from the temple’s official counter.

The temple houses a heavily garlanded idol of Sri Venkateswara before whom one is allowed only a few moments before the next enclosure load of visitors is to be ushered in. In that time you’ll see the stupendously opulent vimana covered in gold and finely sculpted columns. The ‘darshan’ is followed by a round of ‘prasad’, food that has been blessed by the deity and must be received with both hands cupped, right palm above the left one.

Tirupati receives a record number of pilgrims everyday, more than any other holy city in the world. These record crowds topple bigger records during the festivals and on weekends. According to whether chaos is your cup of tea or not, you can choose high-season weekends or off-season weekdays.

Vaikunta Ekadasi is considered an extremely auspicious day to visit Tirupati, as it is believed that this is the day when the `Vaikunta Dwaram’- the door to heaven- is open, and any pilgrim who comes to Tirupati on this day will achieve salvation. The Vaikunta Ekadasi changes from year to year, but usually occurs in early January.

Getting There
There is a small airport at Tirupati which receives flights from Hyderabad, Tuesdays and Saturdays. There are train connections from many places in the region and even twice weekly connections to Mumbai. There are a lot of bus connections from within Andhra Pradesh and from Tamil Nadu, including Bangalore, which is 265 km from Tirupati. Express buses are much faster than the ordinary buses. Cabs are a comfortable road travel option though somewhat expensive.

The few kilometres between Tirupati and Tirumala are easily traversed by bus, auto rickshaw or taxi, all readily available at Tirupati. Many devotees, however, prefer to cover the journey on foot. The path leading from Tirupati up to the temple begins at the Alipiri toll gate, about 4 km from the local railway station. A 16 km long route, the path takes 3 or 4 hours to traverse. All along the way are small `mandapams', where the weary can rest. The steps leading up to the temple are steep in places, but that hardly deters the pious- and nor does the long queue snaking its way into the shrine. People invariably stand for hours in line to be favoured with a `darshan' of the Lord Venkateswara, and a regular ‘darshan’ takes longer to come by than a ‘special’ one. But everybody has to line up and wait as the queue winds its way up through a series of enclosures.

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Sabarimala

The Hindu god Ayyappan is one of southern India’s most revered deities. Known also as Dharmasastha, Hariharan, Manikanta, Ayyanar and Bhoothnath, Ayyapan is worshipped in a number of shrines across south India. At Kulathupuzha, he is worshipped as a child; at Achankovil in conjunction with his consorts, Pushkala and Poorna; and at Sabarimala as an ascetic, a celibate meditating in solitude for the benefit of all mankind.

Sabarimala lies in the Sahyadris- the Western Ghats, in Kerala. Situated at a height of about 3,000 ft, the shrine is one of Hinduism’s most important pilgrimage centers.

Every year, between November and January, thousands of Hindu pilgrims converge on Sabarimala, after a rigorous 41 days of abstinence and penance. Devotees, each with a sacred irumudi- a cloth bag which contains pooja items such as coconuts, dry fruit, sandalwood paste, turmeric and the like, set off on the trek up to the shrine, chanting all the way.

Sabarimala holds the rather dubious distinction of being the only Hindu temple in India where women are not allowed. A number of feminist organizations have tried to persuade the Temple Board the revoke this age-old tradition, but to no avail. Many reasons are cited by the board in support of the decree; these include the 41-day penance imposed on pilgrims, the arduous trek up to the shrine, and the fact that the Ayyappan worshipped at Sabarimala is supposed to be a celibate hermit. Be as it may, women- and girls- between the ages of 10 and 50 cannot even enter the forest around Sabarimala.

When to go
The pilgrimages to Sabarimala begin in November and last up to January. This is when the temple is inundated with devotees from all across India, and everything- from accommodation to flowers and coconuts- is at a premium.

Throughout the year, monthly poojas are held at the temple, usually within the first week of each month. The shrine, therefore, is open only for the first five days of every month and for the pilgrimage season, between mid-November and mid-January.

Getting There
Kerala’s capital, Thiruvananthpuram, is the most convenient base from which to get to Sabarimala. The airports closest to Sabarimala are at Thiruvananthpuram (149 km from Erumeli) and Ernakulam /Cochin ( 78 km). Both have frequent connections to other major airports in India.

The nearest train stations are Chengannur (62 km from Erumeli), Thiruvalla and Changanasseri.

From Thiruvananthpuram, Kottayam, Ernakulam or any of the other railheads, you can get a bus to Chalakayam, Vandiperiyar or Erumeli - the three starting points for the trek up to Sabarimala.

The Chalakayam is the easiest and the shortest route- it’s just 8 km from here to Sabarimala.

The Vandiperiyar route starts along the Kottayam Kumili road, about 13kms short of Sabarimala.

Erumeli is the most popular route, and it is believed that the god himself followed this path to the summit of the hill. It’s also the most arduous, as it’s all of 61 km long- and winds through forested hills. All along the Erumeli Route are shrines, at Kalaketti, Inchipparakota, Karimala and Pampa. The Pampa river is considered as sacred as the Ganga, and devotees believe that a dip in the river can wash away the sins of a lifetime.

From Pampa, the 6 km trek up to the Sabarimala shrine culminates in the `18 steps’- the Patinettampadi- a flight of steps which lead up to the shrine, where pilgrims are rewarded with a darshan of the deity.

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Meenakshi Temple

Maura is called the `Athens of the East’ because of the way myth meets life here. Legends of warrior princesses, the gods falling in love and divine promises abound. Originally called Madhurapuram because honey (madhu) is said to have dripped off the locks of Shiva here, Madurai is now the second largest city in Tamil Nadu. Always an important city politically, it is now among the most important pilgrimages for Hindus.
 

The chief attraction at Madurai is the imposing Meenakshi temple, which was built mainly by the Nayaks. The Pandyas originally built the Meenakshi Temple but little had survived when Tirumalai Nayak restored it to its old glory.
 

The Temple Museum is at the 'thousand– pillared hall’ where each of the 985 pillars are carved in great detail. 5 km east of the temple is the Mariamman Teppakulum tank where the annual Float Festival is held in January. The Shiva Meenakshi idols are taken out of the temples and float on decorated rafts for several days before returning.

Entry into the sanctum sanctorum of the Shiva temple is restricted to Hindus, and in the Meenakshi temple to Hindu women.

The Chitirai Festival in April/May sees the idols being taken around on their chariots in celebration of the divine marriage. The zestful thumping of drums or nadaswarams accompanies the procession.

Getting there and around
Madurai has a domestic teminus with daily flights from Chennai, Bangalore, Tiruchirapalli and Mumbai. Rail connections are available from Chennai (8 hrs) and Rameswaram (6 hrs.) Madurai is also very well connected by road. Rent a car or use your own to drive in. Private and state-run buses ply regularly from all major cities in Tamil Nadu.

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Golden Temple

The city of Amritsar was built around the Golden Temple and the Amrit Sarovar lake, from which it derives its name. Surrounded by a fortified wall with eighteen gates, the temple complex has its main north entrance under a Victorian clock tower known as the Darshani Deori. The entrance is up a flight of steps and down again to the temple and holy tank.
 

The Golden Temple sits on a rectangular platform in the centre of the Amrit Sarovar. It is surrounded by a white marble corridor, through which pilgrims visiting the shrine walk, circumnavigating the temple. A narrow causeway links the Harmandir, or Darbar Sahib, as the temple is also called. The entrance to the temple is through an ornate archway with intricate inlay work, inscribed with verses from the Granth Sahib.

The temple building is three storeys high and is crowned with a dome shaped like an inverted lotus. The lower storey is in white marble, while the two upper storeys have gold plating. The temple has four entrances instead of the usual single entry, symbolic of the openness of Sikhism and the fact that followers of all faiths are welcome here. The walls within are decorated with carved wooden panels and elaborate inlay work in silver and gold. The Adi Granth, compiled by Guru Arjan Dev, rests on a throne beneath a jewel-encrusted canopy. Priests continuously recite verses from the holy book in 3-hour shifts. A complete reading of the text takes 48 hours.

The Akal Takht, next to the Golden Temple, is the seat of the Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee, the religious governing body of the Sikhs. The building of the Akal Takht was begun by Guru Arjan Dev and completed in 1609 by Guru Hargobind. The Adi Granth is housed in the Akal Takht and is taken out in procession every morning to be placed at the Harmandir, and is brought back to the Akal Takht at night.

Shrines on the northern edge of the corridor are venerated as the 68 holy shrines of the Hindus. According to the teachings of Guru Arjan Dev, it was enough for the devout to visit these shrines and not visit all the original Hindu shrines which are distributed across India. Many of these shrines have now been converted into a martyr’s gallery showing the gruesome history of the Sikhs. Around the Parikrama, or pathway, are four rectangular cubicles where Granthis (priests) sit and recite the Granth Sahib. Pilgrims leave offerings at the steps, and can also get the holy book recited in their names for a donation.

The Jubi tree, at the northwestern corner of the complex, was planted some 450 years ago by the temple’s first head priest. The old, gnarled tree is believed to have special powers and childless women tie strips of cloth on it to be blessed with sons. Marriage deals are also fixed under the tree, though this practice is disapproved of by the temple authorities.

Getting there and around
As the religious capital of Punjab-and one of India’s most important cities- Amritsar is well connected by plane, train and road to the rest of the country. Amritsar’s Rajasansi Airport has air links to Delhi, Srinagar and Chandigarh; the local train station has regular trains to most major cities in the country.

In addition to air and rail connections, Amritsar also has frequent bus services from cities and towns both within Punjab as well as in other states. Besides this, there’s a bus service from Lahore (35 km away), the only overland service between India and Pakistan.

Within the city, rented cars, taxis, local buses, unmetered auto-rickshaws and cycle rickshaws can be used for transport.

When to go
The Golden Temple, and the city of Amritsar itself, are best visited in the winter. The months between November and March are pleasant (even cold), although the summer can get blisteringly hot.

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Basilica of Bom Jesus

9 km east of Panaji, along the Mandovi river, lies the town of Old Goa, once the centre of power for the Portuguese in India and the Far East. Old Goa was virtually abandoned in 1843, when the capital was shifted to Panaji. All that remains now is a handful of cathedrals and churches, a monastery and a convent. But, deserted though this area may be, it isn’t forgotten- and here, among the ruins of an empire, lie some of India’s greatest churches- and among the best known of them is the Basilica of Bom Jesus. The Basilica is a World Heritage monument, and next to it is the Professed House- the `Casa Professa’ of the Jesuits. An impressive edifice with a façade of black granite, the Professed House was built in the late 16th century and is linked to the Basilica by a colonnaded arcade.

Renowned throughout the Catholic world, the 16th century cathedral of Bom Jesus (`Good Jesus’ or `Infant Jesus’) has beautifully gilded altars and is decorated with frescoes and inlay work. The church was India’s first Minor Basilica, and is considered one of the best examples of baroque architecture in India. It’s an opulent structure which incorporates white marble, and is best known for the tomb of St Francis Xavier, which it houses. The embalmed body of the saint, who died in 1552, was gifted to the church by Cosimo de Medici III, Grand Duke of Tuscany. Today, the body lies in an airtight glass coffin positioned in a silver casket crafted by a 17th century Florentine jeweller.

Till some years back, the body of St Xavier was ritually exposed- in its coffin- once every decade, to allow pilgrims to view it. The saint is believed to have miraculous powers of healing, and pilgrims would come from all over the country to offer prayers. The prayers and the pilgrimages still continue, although church authorities have decided not to display the body any more, to guard against deterioration.

When to go
Goa is best visited in the winter, between October and March, when the weather’s pleasant. December, especially, is a good time to visit the Basilica of Bom Jesus; special ceremonies to honour St Xavier are held on December 3.

The Basilica is open to visitors from 9 am to 6.30 pm on weekdays and from 10 am to 6.30 pm on Sundays. Masses are held at 8 am and 9.15 am on Sunday and at 7 am and 8 am on weekdays.

Getting There
Goa, thanks to its popularity as a tourist destination, has plenty of connections to the rest of India. The domestic airport at Dabolim (30 km from Panaji) has frequent flights from Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi, Bangalore and Kochi, besides chartered flights from overseas. The two railway stations- at Vasco da Gama and Margao- also have a number of trains arriving at Goa from the rest of the country. In addition to that, there are bus networks which connect the state to other cities and towns in Western and Southern India.

From Panaji- or any other place in Goa, for that matter- there are excellent bus connections to Old Goa. Alternately, you can hire a car or take a taxi, including the interesting motorbike taxis.

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Ajmer Sharif

Ajmer is venerated as a holy place for both Hindus and Muslims. It has the mausoleum of the Sufi saint, Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, whose blessings are eagerly sought by pilgrims to his dargah. Known as the ‘Dargah Sharif’, the last resting place of the saint who died in 1235 lies at the foot of a barren hill. The saint’s marble domed mausoleum is India’s most important shrine for Muslims and receives an endless flow of visitors of all religions as the sick, the troubled and the childless come here seeking a boon, a blessing or just peace of mind. Legend has it that the Mughal emperor, Akbar came here to the saint in the 16th century in quest of a boon for an heir and the saint obliged.
 

The Urs or annual pilgrimage of the devout is celebrated each May at the Dargah with millions of pilgrims arriving in Ajmer to pay homage. Lengthy queues of several kilometres snake their way past the tomb at the shrine while outside the Dargah precincts, two massive cauldrons cook sweet rice garnished with dry fruits and condiments to be served as ‘tabarukh’ or sanctified food. Within the dargah lies a mosque, built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. Like all of Shah Jahan’s buildings, the mosque too, is an architectural marvel - a magnificent building in white marble with a long and narrow courtyard for the faithful to pray in, richly embellished with ornate calligraphic inscriptions, delicate carvings and detailed trelliswork.

Getting there and around
Although Ajmer does not have an airport of its own, there is an airport at Jaipur (130 km away), from where regular buses and taxis come to Ajmer.

Ajmer is very well linked by train; there are frequent (in many cases daily) trains to and from the city to other destinations in India, including Delhi, Mumbai and Jaipur. Delhi is connected to Ajmer by the fast Shatabdi Express, easily the quickest and most comfortable way of getting to Ajmer.

Within the city, rented cars, local buses, auto-rickshaws and cycle rickshaws are the means of transport available.

When to go
The best time to visit the Dargah is during the annual Urs of Moinuddin Chishti in May. Even if you’re unable to make it to Ajmer for the Urs, time your visit for the winter instead- summer all across Rajasthan means hot, dry weather which can take some getting used to. Winters are much more pleasant and comfortable.

Accommodation and other facilities
There is a wide variety of hotel accommodation for travellers to Ajmer to choose from - deluxe, standard and economy, depending on the budget and choice of hotel. A heritage hotel will cost more than a deluxe while RTDC provides decent, clean accommodation at reasonable prices albeit with few frills.

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