Ajmer, a green oasis on the shore of the Ana Sagar Lake, hemmed in by the barren Aravalli hills, is 132 kms south – west of Jaipur, the capital city of Rajasthan. Ajmer is an important religious centre as thousands of people from all around the world flock to the Dargah Sharif, the shrine of Khwaja Muin -ud- Din Chishti, a venerated Sufi saint who founded the Chistiya order
History:
The city of Ajmer was founded in the 7th century by Ajaipal Chauhan, who constructed a hill fort and named it Ajaimeru meaning Invincible Hill. It was ruled by the Chauhans until the late 12th century, when Prithviraj Chauhan lost it to Mohammed of Ghori, who sacked the city on his many forays from Afghanistan. Ajmer later became a favourite residence of the great Mughal kings. One of the first contacts between the Mughals and the British occurred in 1616 in Ajmer when Sir Thomas Roe met Emperor Jahangir. In 1659, Aurangazeb won the battle here against his brother Dara Shikoh. Later, the city was taken over by the Scindias and then handed over to the British, thereby becoming one of the few places in Rajasthan controlled directly by the British rather than being part of a princely state.
Best For:
The Dargah Sharif in Ajmer is the site of the largest Muslim Fair in India as the mortal remains of Khwaja Muin ud Din Chishti is buried here. The Urs ( death anniversary) of this saint also known as Gareeb Nawaz is observed here by thousands of followers.
The summer temperature range from a maximum of 45 C to a minimum of 25 C so light cotton clothes should be carried. The winter temperature ranges from 18C to 4 C. The rainy season is from July to mid September so the best time to travel is from October to March.
The Bank of Baroda on Prithviraj Road and the State Bank of India opposite the Collectorate exchange travellers cheques and foreign currency.
Ajmer has several ATMs, including an IDBI ATM on Jaipur Road.
A Visa to India is all that is required to visit Ajmer.
By Air: The nearest Airport from Ajmer is Jaipur Airport. Jaipur airport is well connected with most of the major cities of India. There are daily flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Jodhpur as well as Udaipur.
International Flight:
The nearest international airport is at Jaipur but Indian Airlines has started direct flights by launching direct flights from Dubai to Ajmer.
By Train- Ajmer is on the broad gauge hence it is well connected to all the metropolitan cities of India. Daily trains operate from Delhi to Ajmer – The Shatabdi Express in the morning and the Intercity Express in the evening. The Rajdhani Express, the Delhi – Ahmedabad Mail and the Khandwar Express also operate from Ajmer.
Local travel: Ajmer is a small city hence it is easily accessible on foot. A number of tongas (horse driven cart), auto rickshaws and cycle rickshaws are also available as a quick means of transport within the city. For longer trips a car or a jeep can be hired.
Ana Sagar – This large lake was created in the 12th century by building a dam on the river Luni. On its bank is Subhash Bagh, a park containing a series of marble pavilions erected in 1637 by Shah Jahan. This is a popular place for an evening stroll and visitors can hire a motorboat from the Fun N Joy Boat Club.
Dargah of Khwaja Muin-ud-din-Chisti – Situated at the foot of a hill and in the old part of the town, this is the tomb of the Sufi saint who came to India from Persia in 1192 and died here in 1236. Emperor Akbar used to make the pilgrimage to the dargah from Agra every year.
The first gate is known as the Nizam Gate since it was built by the ruler of Hyderabad in 1915. The green and white mosque, Akbari Masjid, constructed by Akbar, now functions as a school for religious education.
The Shah Jahan Mosque is a magnificent building in white marble at the corner of the inner court of the Dargah Sharif. It has a long and narrow court with low arcades and delicate carvings with trellis work.
Adhai -din-ka-Jhonpra Mosque – Beyond the dargah, on the outskirts of the town are the ruins of this mosque. It was initially built as a Sanskrit college, but after Mohammed of Ghori attacked Ajmer in 1198, the building was converted into a mosque by adding a seven arched wall with Islamic calligraphy.
Taragarh or the ‘Star Fort’ is 3 kms away and is a steep one and a half hour climb beyond Adhai – din – ka – Jhonpra Mosque. This fort was built by Ajaipal Chauhan, the founder of Ajmer and was a site of military action during Mughal times. It was later used as a sanatorium by the British.
Nasiyan (Red) Temple – Built in 1865, this Jain Temple is also known as the Golden Temple since the double-storied hall is filled with a huge golden diorama depicting the Jain concept of the ancient world.
Akbar’s Palace – Near the Ajmer Railway Station is the fort built in 1570 by Emperor Akbar. This monument now houses the Ajmer Museum. The exhibits here include stone sculptures dating back to the 8th century AD, ancient rock inscriptions, miniature paintings and old weapons.
Mayo College – Well known for its architecture, this monument was built during the pre-independence era, for the sole purpose of making British gentlemen out of Indian princes.
Where To Eat:
The main bazaar area offers a number of vegetarian and non – vegetarian restaurants for a quick bite. There is also a flourishing trade in ice creams and cakes.
Mango Masala: has an imaginative menu of tasty and freshly cooked pizzas, Chinese food, as well as North and South Indian vegetarian food.
Tandoor:as the name suggests, offers good tandoori and non vegetarian dishes. It has an appealing ambience with tables housed in little huts.
Honeydew Restaurant: near the Nagpal Tourist Hotel provides a good selection of Indian, Chinese and Continental food.
Sheesh Mahal: located in the Mansingh Palace has a bar and offers Indian, Continental and Chinese dishes.
Where To Stay:
Hotel Mansingh Palace overlooking the Ana Sagar on Circular Road offers 3 star luxury to visitors.
Haveli Heritage Inn set in a hundred year old ‘haveli’on Kutchery Road is by far the best place to stay at Ajmer. It provides a family atmosphere and home – cooked meals.
There are many budget hotels also at Ajmer.
Roopangarh Fort is located at Kishangarh which is about 25 kms away from Ajmer. The maharaja and maharani of Kishangarh have converted this fort into an evocative hotel. It has large rooms decorated with traditional furniture. The hotel can arrange village tours, bird watching excursions and camel, horse and jeep safaris. The maharaja’s private collection of miniatures can be viewed by staying at the hotel.
The main shopping area is just outside the Dargah Sharif.
Northeast of the main post office is the Naya Bazaar, known for its silver jewellery and tie and dye fabrics.
Kishangarh is 27 kms northeast of Ajmer. Founded in the early 17th century by Kishan Singh, a Rathore prince, this place is renowned for one of India’s most famous schools of miniature painting. Kishangarh is also famous for painted wooden furniture.
Pushkar is located 11 kms away from Ajmer and is separated from it by the Nag Pahar or the Snake Mountain.
Tilonia – This village located 7kms off the Ajmer- Jaipur road is an excellent place to purchase high quality souvenirs which are reasonably priced. All proceeds go towards maintaining and developing rural projects.
Pachewar village is 90kms east of Ajmer and has an impressive 300 year old fort and a lake that attracts migratory birds during winter.
Recommended Circuit:
One day excursions from Jaipur to Ajmer can be arranged or Ajmer can be visited en route to its neighbouring city, Pushkar.
Most travellers use Ajmer as a stepping stone to nearby Pushkar. With its high levels of noise, crowds and traffic, Ajmer is more of a pilgrimage site rather than a traveller’s hang out, accounting for the dearth of good accommodation. So it is a better idea to stay at nearby Pushkar. A good and often cheaper alternative to hotels is to stay with an Indian family participating in the Ajmer Paying Guest House Scheme. Details of these guest houses can be obtained at the tourist office.
