Sambhar Town: A Hidden Treasure near Pushkar

• • Ajmer, Jaipur, Rajasthan • Tags: ,
Salt Iodization & Processed Salt Plant, Sambhar, Rajasthan, India

After visiting Shakambhari Mata Temple and Sambhar Lake, we also visited the Salt Iodization & Processed Salt Plant built in 1962 near Sambhar railway station, Sambhar Town. We enter.

Two employees were present monitoring the salt plant process. Hello and request to share knowledge about salt. As salt is, obtained from Sambhar fields plant has to filter, and clean salt by various cleaning processes present within the plant – said Motaram. Once that is done salt is sent into the dryer that separates water and salt. Later the packaging process for the market for selling.

Half an hour was spent watching the salt cleaning process as it was the first time I have seen a plant so closely.

Knowledge enhanced. Thank you – said I.

The driver of the cab enhanced my knowledge about Dargah Sharif Hazrat Khwaja Hismauddin Chisty at Sambhar Town, and we proceeded towards the same. He was the grandson of Hazrat Khwaja Garib Nawaz.

The driver further said: If one is visiting Khwaja Garib Nawaz at Ajmer should also visit two more Mazar – Dargah Sharif Hazrat Khwaja Hismauddin Chisty and Hazrat Khwaja Fakhruddin Mazar (son of Khwaja Garib Nawaz) at Sarwar Town near Ajmer.

The direction board about the dargah is there within Sambhar Town. We reached the car was parked. Rose, Chaddar was offered and prayers and a wish to visit Sarwar.

You know Sambhar Town is famous for Pheni – the driver said. Pheni is one of my favorite sweet dishes. I decided to buy and will request a friend’s wife at Pushkar to make the same. Rs. 60 per kg – the shopkeeper said. Two kgs but in two separate boxes – one of self, friends and one for the driver – hurraayyyy!!!

Time to return Pushkar.

A request to the cab driver to follow the road via Naliasar Pond. They say it is the shortest one. Road condition OK. And we saw Antelope within fields. I have heard flamingos are seen during winter days at Naliasar Pond but No. Maybe next tour.

Naliasar Pond, Sambhar to Pushkar Distance by Road and Driving Directions

Naliasar Pond, Sambhar to Pushkar: 110 km approx.

Naliasar Pond, Sambhar > Saapo ki Dhani > Sitarampura > Aadarwa > Roopangarh > Kalidungi > Makrana More > Pushkar

Suggestion: To reach Sambhar follow National Highway 8 and towards Dudu for Sambhar. The distance via Dudu or via Roopangarh is almost the same but yes, the road condition via NH 8, Dudu is better.

Yes, I drop the idea of visiting Tilonia village near Ajmer city though it was on the tour chart because I was too tired. Anyways, if I calculate how much journey I have done it will be 294 km Pushkar > Sambhar Lake > Shakambhari Devi Temple > Sambhar Town > Pushkar.

I paid 1750 rupees i.e., 6 rupees per km excluding the Tilonia village tour. It is a good bargain for the taxi. Thanks to a friend. I paid Rs. 150 extra to the cab driver because he was very helpful.

Man Walking in Sambhar Lake

• • Jaipur, Rajasthan • Tags:
Man Walking in Sambhar Lake, Rajasthan, India

Sambhar Lake – The salt land with no end all I can say and the desire to drive the cab into the salty area.

Yes, you can – said the priest of Shakambhari Mata Temple but only 4-5 km because further the land is wet and maybe the cab will stuck. Better is not to drive. Only bigger vehicles especially tractors drive to transport salt otherwise no other vehicle visits.

I drop the idea and a walk about a km into the land. Another amazing experience walking into white land almost alone.

Pushkar to Sambhar Lake – Distance and Driving Directions

• • Ajmer, Jaipur, Rajasthan • Tags: ,

Pushkar to Sambhar Lake Distance is 116 km approx.

Pushkar > Dantri (70 km)

Dantri > Dudu (16 km)

Dudu > Narena (15 km)

Narena > Sambhar Lake (15 km)

Note:
Leave National Highway 8 and follow the road (below the bridge) once you reach Dudu. Half a km further drive a left turn for Sambhar Lake which is a straight drive till you reach Sambhar Lake.

FYI: Shakambhari Mata temple is approx. 23 km from Sambhar. Directions are there on the road.

Shakambari Devi Temple – Kuldevi of Chauhan Dynasty

• • Jaipur, Rajasthan • Tags:
Shakambari Devi Temple at Sambhar, Rajasthan, India

Shakambari Devi Temple – For months Sambhar Lake tour was pending. The reason: I was waiting for friends to join the ride or a guide to join. Both were not happening finally I decided to visit on my own. Royal Enfield Thunderbird Twinspark motorbike was there as usual but this time I decided to hire a cab i.e., a taxi for a day.

During evening hours I visited a tour and travel agent to know the per km rate. Location was discussed and the travel agent replied: Rs. 10 per km. I was sure it wasn’t definitely going to be a good bargain. As far as a few recent taxi travel I remember I have paid approx. 7 or 7.5 rupees per km but yes, it depends upon the location. In the land area, the rates are lower but within mountains the rates are high. Anyway for the best rate, I approached a friend to guide to help to hire a taxi. He called one of his friends over mobile and the rate was Rs. 1750 for all-inclusive day tours Pushkar > Sambhar Lake > Pushkar. This also includes the visit to Tilonia Village near Ajmer City. Tilonia Village is famous for handicrafts. The deal was done early morning at 6 am the request for the taxi was placed.

The next day 6:55 am the cab was ready. I towards Sambhar Lake via National Highway 8, Ajmer. Another side of the highway the Sun is about to start its day smiling brightly in orange color. Good Morning – said I.

Note:

  • There is two toll tax at NH 8 paid by the cab driver because the rate for the cab hiring was all-inclusive. 
  • A direction board on the left-hand side of NH 8 for Tilonia Village. Pushkar to Tilonia Village is approx. 60 km.
  • Leave National Highway 8 and follow the road below the bridge once you reach Dudu. Half km further drive a left turn for Sambhar Lake which is a straight drive till you reach Sambhar Lake. Dudu to Sambhar lake is 26 km.

Once we reach Sambhar, I decided to visit Shakambhari Mata temple first and later Sambhar lake.

Shakambhari Mata Temple is approx. 23 kms from Sambhar. Directions are there on the road.

As we drive, we pass through villages – Pilpla ki Dhani, Korsina villages, and a few more but the best part of the drive starts here only. The road is divided by two fields – silver on the right side and villages, vegetation on the left-hand side. Amazing display by nature.

We started to journey at 6:55 am from Pushkar and reached Shakambhari Mata temple at 10:25 am.

Road condition – OK.

Total Journey Hours from Pushkar till Shakambhari Mata Temple: Three hours and thirty minutes

After opening our shoes as we enter the temple by climbing a few steps few devotees after prayers were coming out of the temple. Upon seeing us, they requested for a photograph. I oblige. You know they even ask for the money I will charge? No money – said I.

After the photograph Prayers, donations, Prasad, and the curiosity to know the history of the temple.

Rajkumar Sharma – The priest was present. Upon the query the narration:

History of Shakambhari Mata Temple

Shakambhari mata is Kuldevi (family Goddess) of the Chauhan dynasty. It is said and believed Prithviraj Chauhan – The King had a blessing from the Goddess – as far as he roams his horse the entire land will turn into silver. Prithviraj roams his horse till 12 Kos i.e., 36 km, and all land turn into silver. But knowing about land turning into silver his mother said if all land will be silver what people will grow into fields to eat. Thus, Prithviraj re-worship Goddess Shakambhari to retract the wish but as it was not possible Goddess Shakambari turn all silver into salt which will be useful for the people and cannot be stolen.

And a quote by the priest that narrate the whole story:

Barah Kos Ghoda Phira, Hui Chaandi Ki Khaan

Mujhe Kaun Khane de Maiya, Ladsi alam jaan

Tabhi Kar Diya Namak Paani Maa Shakambari Rani

Since then rainwater the moment touches the land within this 36 km area turn into salt naturally. Villages around Sambhar Lake are in the salt trade. The priest enhanced our knowledge further:

The temple is about 1400 years old built by the grandfather of Prithviraj Chauhan. Each year Radha Ashtami there is a big festival at the temple and surrounding areas.

The question: I reached by cab but any train to reach Sambhar to reach the temple.

Yes, said the priest.

How To Reach Shakambari Devi Temple by Train?

One has to reach Phulera or Sambhar Railway Station and from there an auto for the temple. Charges for auto approx. 200 – 250 rupees to and fro. If you are coming from Ajmer by train, you have to get down at Phulera Railway Station but if you are coming via Jodhpur you can directly reach Sambhar Railway Station.

The distance between Phulera and Sambhar Railway Station is 5 km.

And accommodation? – I question.

You do not have to worry as Dharamshala is there. Food will be arranged by the priest, or you can bring your own and prepare yourself. Before visiting, you may talk at 0-99820 62068.

Thank you – said I and another query about the Chhatri that I saw while reaching the temple. That is built by Jahangir – The Mughal Emperor as he also visited the temple. And the way to reach?

Via a path behind the temple – guided the priest.

Where is The Best Place for Bird Watching in Pushkar?

• • Ajmer, Rajasthan • Tags:

Yes, there is one Best Place for Bird Watching in Pushkar approx. 11 km from Pushkar Town behind Savitri temple to watch peacocks in large numbers. I remember Kishore Ji – The local guide talked about the same and about a saint – Aaloo Baba who mostly eats potatoes (aaloo). The next day early morning 6:15 I with Kishore Ji riding Royal Enfield Thunderbird Twinspark motorbike along with the other two bikers towards Ajaypal Vatika – the place to watch birds as well as meeting Aaloo Baba.

It was a dark chilled early morning when we started the journey. No one was on the road except three bikers. During the journey, while riding close to Savitri temple mountain we saw Nilgai (Antelope/Blue Bulls) crossing the road just a few meters away from our motorbike and then a big rabbit running on the road finally entering into the bushes. After driving for approx. 25 minutes passing through the village we reached Ajaypal Vatika also known as Bhairo Mandir, Ajaypal.

It was still dark, bikes were parked in front of a temple and we walked inside. Kishore Ji’s voice was loud and said Namaste to Baba though I cannot see anyone present there except us. A thick voice from inside replied namaste and requested to come inside. Kishore Ji opened the shutter and we untie our shoes to remove them. We enter the temple area. Inside is the dark and voice of the baba again to take the blanket kept nearby to have a seat. We all sat on the floor on top of the blanket and after a few minutes, we saw an iron gate of the cave entrance and baba coming out. We all said Namaste. Kishore ji introduced us one by one. Baba requested Kishore Ji to make tea for all of us. Then came another person. Baba requested him to make tea for all of us. We were served hot tea. Thanks to baba. And I question baba: Why Aloo Baba the name why not any other name? Because I love Aaloo (potatoes) and only eat fruits and Aaloo that is why people call Aaloo Baba. We had a smile. As the sip of tea was going on, we were eager to know about birds. Baba said: Don’t be impatient. Let the Sunrise the area inside the temple and nearby temple will be full of peacocks and yes, it was very true. As the Sunrise, we saw peacocks walking from the other side of the hill area that goes towards Ajaypal temple. Within minutes there were about more than 50 peacocks some inside the temple area and some outside. Baba requested one of the person present to offer Aanaaj (meal) to peacocks. There is one big tank full of rice, wheat, bajra, etc. specially kept for peacocks. As the person offer meals to Peacocks we started clicking photos. The arrival time of Peacocks during winter is 7 am I noticed and leaving one hour later. It is indeed a nice place to watch so many peacocks. Baba said many times they are in hundreds and when no one is present except baba, Peacocks love to have meals from baba’s hands. Wonderful – whisper I. Pigeons too along with Peacocks in large numbers have morning breakfast served by baba and his men. After watching Peacocks, and clicking photos we decided to drive towards Ajaypal temple approx. one km further. Friends and I donated Rs. 100 each for bird’s meal.

Pushkar > Krekdi village via Savitri temple (8 km)

Krekdi village > Ajaypal vatika (3 km)

Pushkar to Ajaypal Vatika distance is 11 km approx.