Home :: Rajasthan India Travel :: Ajmer

Area : 55.76 sq. km.
Altitude: 486 metres
Location: Ajmer, Rajasthan Rainfall: 38 to 51 cms.
Languages: Rajasthani, Hindi, Urdu, English, Sindhi.
Best Season: July-March

Ajmer History
Situated in the heart of Rajasthan desert, Ajmer was established by Ajaipal Chauhan in the 7th century and named it as Ajaimeru - the invincible hill that has a blend of Sufi culture and Hindu religion. Today, Ajmer is known as the final resting place of the great Sufi Saint - Khawaja Moinuddin Chisti. It is a center of culture and education. The annual Urs at Dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti is held on a grand scale and attracts pilgrims from all over the world.

Today, Ajmer is a popular pilgrimage center for the Hindus as well as Muslims.  Especially famous is the Dargah Sharif-tomb of the Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, 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.), devotees throng in large numbers here to take a dip in the sacred lake.

Places to See
The Dargah: Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti s DargahRajasthan is famous for Dargah's and the Dargah is the tomb of a Sufi saint, Khwaja Muin-uddin Chisti, popularly known as “Khwaja Gharib Nawaaz” (the Benefactor of the Poor). He is one of the most outstanding figures in the history of Islamic mysticism and the annual Urs at Dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti is held on a grand scale attracting pilgrims from all over the world irrespective of their caste and religion.

Other Attractions: Ana Sagar, Akbar's Palace, Nasiyan(Red) Temple The final resting place for 'Gharib-Nawaz'- people of all religions visit the dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti. The Khwaja left for heavenly abode in 1256 AD after a six day prayer in seclusion. These six days are celebrated every year as the annual Urs, which is attended by pilgrims irrespective of their faith. The shrine is considered to be a place of wish fulfilment for those who pray with devout and pure hearts. It is said that Emperor Akbar sought blessings for his son at the Dargah

The entry to the Dargah is through the Buland Darwaza that leads to the inner courtyard. The high gateway has beautifully carved silver doors. In the courtyard are kept two huge cauldrons with capacity of 2240 Kg and 4480 Kg. On special occasions, Kheer cooked in these cauldrons is distributed among the pilgrims. The grave of the Sufi Saint is surrounded by a silver railing and is partially covered with a marble screen. The daughter of Shah Jahan had built a prayer room in the Dargah for the women devotees. The primises of the Dargah also has the tomb of Bhishti, tomb of Saint's daughter-Bili Hafiz Jama, tomb of Shah Jahan's daughter Chimni Begum.

The Museum: Once the royal residence of Emperor Akbar ,the museum houses a rich repository of the Mughal and Rajput armour and exquisite sculptures.

Mayo College: One of the India’s best public schools, located in the south-east of the Ana Sagar, has now been converted to the Circuit House. The lake and the cenotaph and the shrine of the Hindu reformer Swami Dayanand, founder of the Arya Samaj movement in India, can be viewed from here.

Phool Mahal Palace, in Kishangarh, should be up and running as an upmarket hotel by the time you read this. Contact Roopangarh Fort for details.

Taragarh Fort: A steep one and a half hour climb beyond the Adhai-din-ka-jhopra leads to the ruins of the Taragarh Fort, perched on a hill.One can have an excellent view of the city from here. The fort was the site of the military activity during the Mughal period, later used as a sanatorium by the British.

Adhai-Din-Ka-Jhonpra: A remarkable structure, this is a masterpiece of Indo-Islamic architecture located on the outskirts, of the city, just beyond the Dargah. As the legend goes, its construction took two and a half days (Adhai-Din) to complete. It was originally a Sanskrit college, built within a temple. In 1193 A.D. Mohhamed Ghauri conquered Ajmer and converted the building into a mosque by adding a sevenarched wall in front of the pillared hall in just two-and-half days(adhai-din) and hence the name. The distinct pillars-and arched "Screen" with its ruined minarets make it a splendid architectural masterpiece

Nasiyan TempleThis red coloured Jain temple was built in the late 19th century consisting of two parts, the first is the worship area for Jain community with the idol of Lord Adinath and the second is the museum section where the five stages (Panch Kalyanak) in the life of Lord Adinath have been depicted in the form of statues. The 40 x 80 feet hall is exquisitely done up in pure gold, Belgium stain glass, mineral colour paintings and stain glasswork.

Ana SagarBuilt by Anaji during 1135-1150 AD, this lake is located towards the north of Ajmer city. Later the Mughal Emperors made additional constructions to beautify the lake. The 'Baradari', Shah Jahan built a marble pavilion.   

Climate
Summer: 38.1 degree C(Max.) 28.8 degree C(Min)
Winter: 23.3 degree C(Max.) 5.5 degree C(Min)

Visiting Time
Best Time to Visit: October and March

Temperature
Summer - Max: 38.1 Min: 27.7
Winter - Max: 23. 3 Min: 05.5

Clothing
Summer: light tropical
Winter: light woolen

Attractions In & Around
1). Akbar s FortOnce the royal residence of Emperor Akbar, this museum is housed in the beautiful fort and palace built by Emperor Akbar in 1570. It is centrally located and close to the railway station housing a rich repository of exquisite sculptures.

2). Baghera (107km from Ajmer)Situated in the Kekri subdivision of Ajmer district about 107 kms south east of Ajmer, this village is known for its treasure trove of archaeological and antiquarian relics. The most renowned of them all is the temple of Varaha Avtar.

3). Edward Memorial HallOther monuments, which stand as reminders of Ajmer’s colonial past are the Edward Memorial hall. Near the railway station is Edward Memorial Hall

4). Foy saggarA picturesque artificial lake named after the engineer who created it under a famine relief project. It has enhanced the beauty of the area.  

6). Makrana (110 Kms from Ajmer):The world famous marble has immortalized the name of this town. It was from here that the marble used for building the amazing Taj Mahal and Victoria Memorial in Calcutta was quarried. Taj Mahal is an outstanding example testifying to the excellent quality of the Makrana marble.  

7). Shah Jahan s mosque (Jami Masjid): In the corner of the inner court of the Dargah, is a magnificent building in white marble with a long and narrow court having low arcade and delicate carvings with trelliswork. It is the most marvelous of all the sanctums within the sanctuary of the Dargah.  

8). Sola Khamba as the name suggest, Sola Khamba means 16 pillars. This monument has 16 pillars that support its roof

Excursions
Pushkar Lake (11km.): The lake is situated on the edge of the desert and surrounded by hills on three sides, is separated from Ajmer by ‘Nag Pahar’-the snake mountain. On this mountain the Panchkund and the cave of the saint Agastya are located. No pilgrimage is complete without a visit to Pushkar. For most believers it is essential to visit Pushkar at least once in their lifetime.

Man Mahal: Along the banks of the Pushkar Lake is the former residence of Raja Man Singh of Amer, Man Mahal. Presently it is converted to RTDC Sarover Tourist Bungalow ensuring convenient accommodation to travellers.Pushakar palace ( Kishangarh House) adjoining it is a heritage hotel.

Foy Sagar(5km): A picturesque artificial lake named after the engineer for who created it under a famine relief project. (http://www.travelmasti.com)

Kishangarh: Located 27 km north-east of Ajmer, the small town of Kishangarh was founded by Kishan Singh in the early 17th century. Kishangarh is famous for its unique style of miniature painting, first produced in the 18th century.

Mangliyawas: This town is famous for two 800 years old trees of a rare species- Adansonia Digitata Linn- popularly known as 'Kalpa-Vrikhsha'. People visit this place through out the year but on dark moon day of 'sravana' thousands of people come to worship the trees. The town is 26 Kms from Ajmer.

Beawar: This town is located 54 Kms from Ajmer and is famous for the Badshahi procession festival held on the next day of Holi. On this occasion people participate in large number and throw gulal on each other.

How to Get There
By Air: Nearest  Airport Jaipur is Jaipur (138 kms).

By Rail: Ajmer is  connected by rail to Delhi, Agra, Ahmedabad, Barmer, Bharatpur, Bikaner, Jaipur, Jodhpur,  Mount Abu and to Bombay Via Ahmedabad.

By Road: Ajmer is  well connected by road with Agra (370 km), Bharatpur (312 km), Bikaner (234 km), Bundi  (139 km), Chittaurgarh (182 km), Delhi (444 km), Jaipur (138 km), Jaisalmer (458 km),  Jodhpur (205 km), Kota (178 km), Mount Abu (371 km) and Udaipur (269 km).

By Bus: Rajasthan  State Trans. Corpn. Buses connect Ajmer with the above places.

Tourist Information Centers(Govt)
• Rajasthan Tourism Bikaner House, Near India Gate New Delhi - 110 001 India
• R.T.D.C. Tourist Information Bureau, Khadim Tourist Bungalow, Near Railway Station,