Introduction
South west of Jaipur, Ajmer is an oasis wrapped in the green hills. The city was founded by Raja Ajay Pal Chauhan in the 7th Century A.D. and continued to be a major centre of the Chauhan power till 1193 A.D. Then Prithviraj Chauhan lost it to Mohammed Ghori, after which Ajmer became home to many dynasties. Today, Ajmer is a popular pilgrimage centre for the Muslims as well as Hindus. Especially famous is the Dargah Sharif-tomb of the Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti, which is equally revered both by the Hindus and the Muslims. Ajmer is a centre of culture and education. The British chose Ajmer for its prestigious Mayo College, a school exclusively for Indian nobility at one time. However, now it is one of the best public schools in the country. Ajmer is also the base for visiting Pushkar (14 km.) which has the distinction of having the only Brahma temple in the world. The Picturesque Pushkar Lake is a sacred spot for Hindus. During the month of Kartik (Oct/Nov), devotees throng in large numbers to take a dip in the sacred lake.
Ajmer was also a favourite residence for the great Mughals. One of the first contacts between the Mughal King Jahangir and Sir Thomas Roe took place here in 1616. The Scindias took over the city in 1818 and then handed it over to the British. Thus Ajmer was the only region to be directly controlled by the East Indian Company.
The bus stand in Ajmer is located near the RTDC hotel Khadim. The railway station is further south and most of the office lies in the northeast and most of the city’s market is located behind and up to Agra Gate. Further northwest is a large artificial lake called the Anna Sagar.
Ajmer was also a favourite residence for the great Mughals. One of the first contacts between the Mughal King Jahangir and Sir Thomas Roe took place here in 1616. The Scindias took over the city in 1818 and then handed it over to the British. Thus Ajmer was the only region to be directly controlled by the East Indian Company.
The bus stand in Ajmer is located near the RTDC hotel Khadim. The railway station is further south and most of the office lies in the northeast and most of the city’s market is located behind and up to Agra Gate. Further northwest is a large artificial lake called the Anna Sagar.
Ajmer, which has become a popular pilgrimage center for both Hindus and Muslims, is famous for the Dargah Sharif- the tomb of a Sufi saint Khawaja Moinuddin Chisti. Both Hindus and Muslims revere this Dargha equally. Pushkar, a pilgrimage center for the Hindus lies about 11 km from here. Pushkar, which has a beautiful lake, is the abode of Lord Brahma and it has a temple for the deity. Devotees from all over India throng this place in the month of Karthik (Oct-Nov) to take a dip in the holy lake of Pushkar.
Sight seeing in Ajmer
Kwaja Saheb Dargha: One of India's important pilgrimage centers is situated at the foot of a hill and is much revered by people from all faiths. Khawaja Saheb or Khawaja Sharif as it is more popularly known, the marvelous tomb of Khawaja Moinuddin Chisti is considered to be one of the most important shrines, next only to Mecca or Madina by the south Asian Muslims. The great Mughal Emperor Akbar used to visit this Dargah on pilgrimage every year from Agra.
Kwaja Saheb Dargha: One of India's important pilgrimage centers is situated at the foot of a hill and is much revered by people from all faiths. Khawaja Saheb or Khawaja Sharif as it is more popularly known, the marvelous tomb of Khawaja Moinuddin Chisti is considered to be one of the most important shrines, next only to Mecca or Madina by the south Asian Muslims. The great Mughal Emperor Akbar used to visit this Dargah on pilgrimage every year from Agra.
The Nizam of Hyderabad built this mausoleum which has a huge gate. Akbari Masjid built in white marble is on the right side of the courtyard, which is of interest to the visitor with its two enormous cauldrons. Another mosque built by Shahijan is located inside the courtyard.
Surrounded by a silver platform, the center of the second courtyard houses the saint's tomb with a marvelous marble dome. Thousands of pilgrims visit the shrine during the Urs, which is observed in commemoration of the death anniversary of the Saint. The Urs is held every year from 1st to 6th day of the Islamic month of Rajab. A major attraction is a colorful fair that is held during this season.
Shahjhan's Mosque: The most fabulous of all the sanctums inside the sanctuary of the Dargah is this superb building in white marble. It has a 30.5-m long and narrow court that has a low arcade and fragile carvings with trelliswork.
Adhai-din-ka-jhonpra On the outskirts of the city of Ajmer about a few yards from the Khawaja Saheb Dargah, we see this amazing structure which is a blend of Indo-Islamic architecture. The construction of this was completed in two and a half days and hence the name. Mohammed Ghauri converted a building, which was originally a Sanskrit college into a mosque. He added a seven-arched wall facing the pillared wall in a short time. This architectural masterpiece of the arched screen with its ruined minarets and distinct pillars look marvelous.
Fort of Taragarh: The ruins of the Taragarh Fort can be reached by climbing steep steps which takes nearly one and a half hours. Perched on a hill this fort is just beyond the Adai-din-ka-jhonpra. From here you can have a wonderful view of the city. The Mughals used this fort as the site for their military activities, but the British used the place as a sanatorium.
The Museum: The royal residence of Emperor Akbar has been converted into a museum which houses beautiful sculptures and is a rich storage of Rajput and Mughal armor.
Pushkar Lake: Nag Pahar or the snake mountain separates the Pushkar Lake from Ajmer. Located on the edge of the desert, the lake is surrounded by hills on three sides. The Panchkund and Saint Agastya's cave are situated here on this mountain. Scholars believe that Kalidas, the 4th Century Sanskrit poet and playwright wrote his masterpiece Abhigyanam Shakuntalam with this setting of forest heritage as its backdrop.
Legend has it that, the origin of Pushkar dates back to several years. Lord Brahma was in search of a peaceful land to perform a Yagna when a lotus fell down from his hand into this place. Soon a lake appeared on this spot and people dedicated it to the Lord. People revere this place as Brahma's abode and there is a temple dedicated to the deity.
Pushkar Fair: The annual cattle fair during Pushkar fair is very popular. Thousands of pilgrims throng this lake to take a holy dip on the full moon day of Kartik (Oct-Nov. There are cultural events and exciting camel-cart races in addition to trading of horses, camels, cows and bulls. Pilgrims get an opportunity to buy clothes, household items and leather goods during this colorful fair.
Man Mahal: Man Mahal, situated along the banks of the Pushkar Lake is the former palace of Raja Mansingh of Ajmer. It has been converted as Rajasthan Tourist Development Corporation's (RTDC) Sarovar Tourist Bungalow. This is a convenient place for travelers. Adjacent to it is Pushkar Palace or the Krishna Garh house, which is a heritage hotel.
Foy Sagar: An artificial lake created by an engineer under a famine relief project is named after him.
Shopping in Ajmer
Ajmer is a shoppers delight during the annual Urs fair when you can shop for curios, antiques, captivating gold and silver jewelry in contemporary designs, embroidered Jodhpuri Jutis and vibrant tie-and-dye sarees. Delightful creations of traditional folk artisans attract the visitors.
Ajmer is a shoppers delight during the annual Urs fair when you can shop for curios, antiques, captivating gold and silver jewelry in contemporary designs, embroidered Jodhpuri Jutis and vibrant tie-and-dye sarees. Delightful creations of traditional folk artisans attract the visitors.
Details about Ajmer for travel and visit
Ajmer situated in the green oasis wrapped in the barren hills has been witness to an interesting past. The city was founded by Raja Ajai Pal Chauhan in the 7 th century A.D. and continued to be a Major centreof the Chauhan power till 1193 A.D. when Prithviraj Chauhan lost it to Mohammed Ghauri.Since then, Ajmer became home to many dynasties, which came and left - leaving behind indelible marks of their culture and traditions on the city's history, converting it to an amalgam of various cultures and a blend of Hinduism and Islam.
Today, Ajmer is a popular pilgrimage centre for Hindus as well as Muslims.Especially famous for is the Dargah Sharif-tomb of the Sufi, saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti, which is equally revered by the Hindus and Muslims.Ajmer is also the base for visiting Pushkar(11 Km),the abode of Lord Brahma,lying to its west with a temple and a picturesque lake. The Pushkar Lake is a sacred spot for Hindus.During the month of Kartik (Oct/Nov) devotee’s throng in large numbers here to take a dip in the sacred lake.
TRAVEL INFORMATION
How to get thereAir: Jaipur 132 Km is the nearest airport.
Rail : Regular train services link Ajmer with important cities. Some important train connections are :
- Gujarat Mail(Mumbai-Ajmer-Delhi Sarai Rohilla)
- Jodhpur Mail(Marwar-Ajmer-Jaipur)
- Delhi Express(Ahmedabad-Ajmer-Jaipur)
- Shatabadi Express(New Delhi-Ajmer-New Delhi)
Local Transport : City Bus service operates in the city and to Pushkar.Unmetered taxis,auto-rickshwas,tongas and cycle rickshaws are also available.
WHERE TO STAY
:Standard Hotels
- Hotel Mansingh Palace
- Hotel Regency
- RTDC Hotel Khadim
- Hotel Ajaymeru
- Shobraj Hotel
- Hindu Hotel
- Hotel Anand
- Hotel Bhola
- Hotel Malwa
- Hotel Payal
- Hotel Prithviraj
- KEM Rest House
- Nagpal Tourist Hotel
- Sancheti Hotel
- Hotel Surya
- Hotel Paramount
- Hotel Samrat
- Hotel Ambassador
- Hotel Motimahal
- Hotel Aaram
Railway Retiring Rooms and Dharamshalas
For details contact
| Tourist Reception Centre,RTDC Hotel Khadim | Tel:0145-20490 |
| Savitri College Road,Ajmer | Tel:0145-52426 |
OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION
| Bank | Tel no. |
| Bank of Baroda,Prithviraj Marg | 22575 |
| Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur,Station Road | 429646 |
| Bank of India,Kaisarganj | 432153 |
| Bank of Rajasthan,Mayo College | 431424 |
| Punjab National Bank,Prithviraj Marg | 429696 |
| State Bank of India,near Collectorate | 52048 |
J.L Nehru Hospital Tel no. 52521
Club
Ajmer Club Tel no. 2003
Tourist Reception Centre
Assistant Director,Tourist Reception Centre,Hotel Khadim(RTDC) Tel no. 52426
Tourist Reception Counter at Railway Station.
Guide Service
Approved guides may be hired through the Astt. Director Tourist Reception Centre
Tel: 52426
IMPORTANT TELEPHONE NUMBERS
| Police Control Room | Tel no. 21000 |
| Roadways(Central Bus Stand) | Tel no. 429398 |
| Railways | Tel : 131(Enquiry),132(Reservation) |
| General Post Office | Tel:427603 |
GENERAL INFORMATION
| Area | 55.76 sq. Km | |
| Altitude | 486 metres | |
| Climate Summer Winter | Mean Max. 38.10 C 23.30 C | Mean Min 27.7 0C 05.50 C |
| Rainfall | 38 to 51 CMS | |
| Clothing | Summer | Light Tropical |
| Winter | Wollen | |
| Best Season | July-March | |
| Languages | Rajasthani,Hindi,Urdu,English, Sindhi |
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