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Rajasthan Travel |
"A land of valiance and chivalry,' which is endowed with invincible forts, magnificent palaces, waves of sand dunes."
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| Ajmer Travel |
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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. When Prithviraj Chauhan lost it to Mohammed Ghauri. Since then, Ajmer became home to many dynasties.
Today, Ajmer is a popular pilgrimage centre for the Hindus as well as Muslims. Especially famous is the Dargah Sharif-tomb of the Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti, which is equally revered by the Hindus and Muslims. It is a centre of culture and education, the British chose Ajmer for its prestigious Mayo College a school exclusively for Indian nobility.
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.), devotes throng in large numbers here to take a dip in the sacred lake.
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Ajaipal Chauhan founded Ajmer in the seventh century. He constructed a hill fort "Ajaimeur" or the invincible hill. The Chauhans ruled Ajmer till the 12th century w  hen Prithviraj Chauhan lost Mohammed Ghauri. Thereafter it became a part of the sultanate of Delhi. Ajmer was also 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 and it became one of the only part of Rajasthan controlled directly by the East Indian Co.
The geographical location is ideal as it is on the main North-South avian route of India. Although small in size, 29 sq km. Only, it boasts to house more than 375 species of beautiful birds, and more than 132 of them breed inside the Keoladeo Ghana National Park and nearly every year new ones are added to the list.
The sanctuary not only attracts birds from India but also from places like Europe, Siberia, China and Tibet Before monsoons hundreds of these exotic birds roost and nest building activities start on the babool and kadam trees of the park. Water coming through the Ajan Bandh starts filling the various ponds and lakes of the Park. |
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| Fairs & Festivals in Ajmer |
Urs Ajmer Sharif (According to Lunar Calendar)
Held in the memory of the revered Sufi saint Khawaja Moinuddin Chishti, it is an occasion for thousands of believers to congregate at the shrine and offer their prayers. All of Ajmer seems to take on a festive air and several programs are organized to mark the festivals.
Ajmer History
Historically, Ajmer always had great strategic importance and was sacked by Mahumud of Ghazni on one of his periodic forays from Afghanistan. Later it became a favorite residence of the great Moghula. One of the first contacts between the Moghula and the British occurred in Ajmer when Sir Thomas Roe met with Jahangir here in 1616. The city was subsequently taken by the Scindias and, in 1818, it was handed over to the British, becoming one of the few places in Rajasthan controlled directly by British rather than being part of a princely state. |
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| General Information of Ajmer |
By Air
The nearest airport from Ajmer is Jaipur. Jaipur is well connected to all the major cities which includes Delhi, Mumbai, Calcutta, Jodhpur, Udaipur. Recently, flights to Dubai has also started from Ajmer by Indian Airlines.
By Bus
Rajasthan Roadways run very comfortable deluxe buses from Jaipur. There are buses from Jaipur to Ajmer every 15 minutes, some nonstop. The roads are very good, and it takes around 2 hrs from Jaipur. You can also come by taxi.
By Train
Ajmer is on the Broad Gauge and hence connected to all the metro cities of India. There are daily trains from Delhi in morning (Shatabdhi Exp) and evening (Intercity Exp).
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| Places to See in Ajmer |
Darragah
The Darragh is the Tomb of a Sufi saint, Khwaja Muinud - din Chishti, who came to Ajmer from Persia in 1192. Construction of the shrine was completed by Humayun and the gate was added by the Nizam of Hyderabad. Akbar used to make the pilgrimage to the Darragh from Agra once a year. The saint's tomb is in the centre of the second court. It has a marble dome and the actual tomb inside is surrounded by a silver platform. The tomb attracts hundred of thousands of pilgrims every year on the anniversary of the lunar calendar.
Adhai - din - ka - jhonpra
According to legend, its construction, in 1153, took two and half days, as its name indicates. It was built as a Jain college, but in 1198, Muhammad Ghori took Ajmer and converted the building into a mosque by adding a seven - arched wall in the front of the pillared hall.
Akbar Palace
Back in the city, near the railway station, this fort was built by Akbar in 1570 and today houses the Ajmer Museum. The collection has some fine sculpture and a rather poor collection of Moghul and Rajput armour. The museum is closed on Friday and charges a small admission fee.
Nasiyan Temple
The 'Red Temple' on Prithviraj Marg is a Jain Temple built last century. Its double - storey hall contains a series of large, gilt wooden figures from Jain mythology which depict the Jain concept of the ancient world. It's certainly worth a visit. |
Taragarh
Three km and a steep one and half hour climb beyond the mosque in Adhai - din - ka - jhonpra, Taragarh, or 'Star Fort' commands an excellent view over the city. The fort was the site of much military activity during Moghul times and was later used as a sensation by the British.
Sahjahan's Mosque
In the corner of the inner court of the Darragh, is a magnificent building in white marble with a long (30.5m) 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 Darragh.
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.
Pushkar Lake(11 Km)
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.
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 Savorar Tourist Bungalow ensuring convenient accommodation to travellers. Pushkar 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
Ana Sagar
Ana Sagar is an artificial lake created in 12h century by damming the river Luni.This lake is flanked by hills .It has two fine parks on its bank with a series of marble pavilions that were erected by Emperor Shah Jahan. |
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