BY NIVI SHRIVASTAVA
In our previous story, we told you about the amazing hospitality and architecture at Gateway Resort at the Pushkar-Ajmer Bypass. The hotel is centrally located in the middle of two popular tourist destinations – Ajmer and Pushkar – which makes it a perfect choice for those who wish to see the cultural amalgamation of ancient Hinduism and Sufism in India.
The hotel provides a customized itinerary for visiting the spiritual and touristic locations in these cities. So, if you have a wedding party staying at the Gateway that wants to explore the region, you have plenty of options around.
TEMPLE RUN IN PUSHKAR: During our stay at the hotel we visited Pushkar, which is famous for Hindu God Lord Brahma’s only temple in the country. It is known as ‘the rose garden of Rajasthan’ and it gets the name from Hindi word ‘pushp’ which means flower.
We also found numerous other small temples sprinkled around the holy Pushkar Lake, where every evening a majestic aarti ceremony is held to celebrate traditional Hindu beliefs – a final highlight to our spiritual journey in the land of roses. During the month of November, the famous Pushkar mela (India’s only cattle exposition) attracts tourists from all parts of the world, so one can try and plan a trip around this unique event.
SPIRITUAL BLISS IN AJMER: The famous Dargah Khwaja Sahib in the city of Ajmer is one of the most important landmarks around the hotel. This spiritual shrine is perhaps the most secular places of worship in India where one can see the cultural mélange of Rajasthan and Mughal heritage woven together in a Sufi ambience.
On the second day of our stay, we got to experience the soulful essence of this spiritual site, where devotees flocked from all across the world to pay homage to Khwaja Moinuddin Hasan Chishti.
ART WALK IN KISHANGARH: After a soulful experience in Ajmer we headed towards the royal city of Kishangarh, which is famous for its marble artwork and intricate Bani Thani style of painting.
The royal palace known as the Phool Mahal located on the banks of Gundolaav Lake is a beautiful reminiscence of the rich heritage of the erstwhile kingdom, and we were lucky enough to meet the caretakers of this monumental property who told us about its legendary past. The artworks from this city are perfect souvenirs and the framed paintings can be perfect return gifts at a wedding party.
Now that’s another reason we needed another post to tell you how these quaint little getaways are actually the perfect way to relax, rejuvenate and experience real India!
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