Dive into your Beliefs and take a leap of faith at The AJMER SHARIF
The Contagious Excitement of Road Trip
The driver is late which makes me furious. Oh no, not on the driver, but my better half. All this so that we could start our Road trip. From Anjar in Gujarat to Jaipur in Rajasthan. We were to drive 800 Km today. The euphoria of the road trip was taking its toll and to be in the pink city of the Royals, containing the excitement wasn’t within my limits.
Ahmed our driver, did arrive not an hour or two but three hours late and, we did let out the steam but were en route. To take this road trip I had already traveled 800 km from my hometown in Maharashtra. The desert region of Kutch is very colorful, people are simple, and food tastes delicious and, everything about Kutch is exciting.
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Give in to the road
We have crossed Palanpur, and the sight of Aravalli ranges captures my attention as the arid desert landscape changes and greener landscape sets in. On one of my many in-between halts, I am lucky to witness the peacocks enjoying the fields. We have been traveling through Bhuj along with the maize fields and colorful camel carts, a prominent means of conveyance of the region. It’s a transition from the state of Gujarat to Rajasthan. The roads are superbly maintained and, road-tripping is fun as I see the sun setting at Beawar.
Sunsets with Supercilious Food
Road trips are enjoyed with many stops to enjoy the landscape and variety of food. MMMMM that’s how I can express, this is supercilious. I have already downed two and wish for more. The “Kadhi and pyazz ki kachori” at the roadside shack melted on my palette as the sunset behind the Aravali ranges ,which also gave us an idea that we are lagging on kilometres and have to detour to Ajmer.
Surprises of road Trip
Another aspect of the road trip is, what you plan you may not be able to achieve every schedule, as the road journey throws its surprises. With varying road and weather conditions, traffic, and driving fatigue adjust is the keyword. My mind and landscape changed colors every now and then so did the geography as per varying climatic conditions of the region.
Ajmer
With the detour, we land in Ajmer and my memories of visiting the dargah in my Home Town Nagpur along with my Dad flood back, I loved visiting the dargah particularly because that use to be my time spent with Dad, though a different culture than mine, it gave the same feeling of peace and tranquility. Today it felt like the puzzle block of almighty’s plan has fallen into place, as I find myself standing in the courtyard of Ajmer Sharif, lit with multiple lights, music, and energy.
A powerhouse of Wish Fulfillment
Ajmer sheriff is a Sufi shrine of huge Islamic Significance just 130 km away from Jaipur. Built during the Mughal reign by Emperor Humayun, the town gained popularity cause of the Dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti. A PHARSI wandered and settled in India in 1192 to make the country his home. His preaching and stories are highly revered. A preacher and a religious scholar, he gained his prowess from the works of Sunni scholar Khwaja Abdullah Ansari and it was believed that his work on the lives of the early Islamic saints reshaped Chishti’s ideologies and outlook of the world.
The Saint and his Ideologies
His story of locking himself, praying continuously for the less fortunate, and educating the masses about selfless service brings thousands to visit Ajmer making it a very crowded Town. At the age of 114, he was hugely blessed with superpowers. In today’s India, the Dargah is one of the most devoted Islamic places with spiritual Peace. The remains of the saint consolidate as Ajmer Sharif.
With The Mughal architecture, the marble edifice of the Dargah, and the saint’s powers attracted many stalwarts of the past era, and thus came the side edifices, some as a necessity and some as offerings. The Bulund Darwaja, the Jama mosque, and the Nizam gate. Out of the eight gates, only three are operational and the main being the Nizam gate.
Akbar being very fond of the saint and had seen many of his blessings coming from the saint’s powers was a frequent visitor and offered many precious offerings. One of which I could see was the DEGH.
My take on Guineas Book of records
Had Guinea’s book taken records in the older centuries than the 19th, many records would be from India. The DEGH a cast Iron WOK today on display could cook 4,800 kg of Biryani at one time. I wonder about the Chef who cooked or rather Chefs and the plan that went in cooking such huge quantities for distribution. Today people offer qualms into it.
Ajmer sheriff is world-famous for fulfilling wishes, the superpower of the saint does help. At any given time the place is thronged by tourists and you can’t spend more than a minute inside the sanctum .
But what is supreme is the belief which when you are offering you prayers, the vibe is strong giving you a message of all is well. I felt the same, it’s the power of the place, Inside for that one minute in sanctum I slipped into childhood holding my Dad’s hand while visiting the dargah, the green silk cloth laden with floral jail chadar looked beautiful, the essence sticks filled my nostrils and not to forget the bunch of Peacock feathers which were fondly tapped on my head than and today as a blessing.
The Bunch of Peacock feathers
As the peacock feathers are brushed again today, it brings me back to Ajmer sheriff Dargah and my thoughts go back to so many peacock feathers used worldwide for different purposes and I pray that the beautiful bird is not troubled for feathers. Back in the courtyard, I give in to the Sufi music, the Qawali, and the Hymns, the group putting its heart and soul to honor the saint and the public.
As I move out my heart is heavy but peaceful, walking through the lanes beside the Dargah the shops selling all that is needed make a color full sight. Their livelihood depends on the thronging crowd. I do not know about the selfless service teachings but can only capture the commercialization of many religious places across the country and, it’s the same here. The shouts to attract tourists, the force of buying for offerings.
And the Road trip Continues……
The driver today is on time and we are on our way to Jaipur. The Ajmer detour has worked on many aspects. The driving fatigue is gone as we had a great night’s sleep most important for driving, the mind is peaceful from the dargah visit, and the stomach is full from the delicacies of the region the satisfied soul that’s me, Is on the way to Jaipur……Keep reading
10 Things I did when I planned my Road Trip
- Got a hard copy of the Map to check distance and Route.
- Got my car serviced.
- Took a few lessons to know the nuances of my car in case of an emergency.
- Checked the tool kit.
- Packed Light.
- checked on weather Conditions and Road conditions.
- Pre-booked my stay to have a great night’s sleep.
- Packed a torch and Power bank.
- Worked on mental readiness for driving and on-road surprises.
- Checked mine and the cars documents .
