Ajmer was founded by Raja Ajai Pal Chauhan in 1100 A.D. Ajmer City in India stands on the foot of Ajaya Meru - The invincible Hill and Ajmer derives its name from "Ajaya Meru". Ajmer is a major religious center for Muslim Pilgrims during the holy month of Ramazan, When thousand of devotees from all over the world flock the Ajmer town to be sanctified by the holy Dargah of the Sufi Saint.
Ajmer City in the state of Rajasthan in India is a holy integration of two religions with the Holy Pushkar Temples on one hand and The Durgah of Khwaja Moinuddin-Chisti Sahab on the other. The annual Urs at Dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti is held on a grand scale and attracts pilgrims from all over the world irrespective of their caste and religion.
Population of Ajmer : 4 Lakhs (approx.)
Area of Ajmer : 55.76 sq.kms. (approx.)
Languages spoken at Ajmer : Rajasthani, Marwari, Urdu, Hindi, Sindhi and English.
Best time to visit Ajmer : October to March
STD Code of Ajmer : 0145
Museums in Ajmer : One and only Government Museum.
Fairs and Festival in Ajmer :
URS fairs : The Urs are held every year at the dargah of the Sufi Saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chirsti, Commemorating his symbolic union with God. Pilgrims from all over the world gather here to pay their homage. Qawaalis (poems) are sung in the Saint's honour. At the foot of a barren hill, is situated India's most important Pilgrimage center for people from all faith. It is the splendid tomb of the Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, more popularly known as Khwajia Sharif.
Pushkar Fair : Pushkar Fair, held sometime in the month of November, is the largest and the most participated fair of Rajasthan. Apart from pilgrimage, it is the occasion of a large cattle fair. Bazaars, auctions, music and sports are highlight of this event. Though this Fair is not held in Ajmer, the town of Ajmer witnesses heavy crowd and livens up during this time due to its close proximity to Pushkar. Pushkar takes its name from the Pushkar lake near Ajmer where it is held annually. A dip in the holy waters of the lake is considered auspicious.
Tourist Attraction in Ajmer :
Adhai Din Ka Jhopda : Initially it was a Sanskrit college that was destroyed by the Mohammad Ghauri and was converted into mosque in just 2 and half days and hence it was named after the situation. This is one of the very old mosque in India built in 1193 AD and is a great example of Indo- Muslim architecture.
Dargah Khwaja Moin-ud-din Chisti : The shrine is in honor of Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti - a Sufi saint who came to India from Persia in 1192 with Mohammad Ghori's invading army. He died here in 1236. For the Muslims of India, the shrine's importance is only second to the sacred shrine at Mecca. The construction of the Dargah was started by Altamash, the Sultan of Delhi, and completed by the Mughal Emperor Humayun. It was the venue of an annual pilgrimage for Akbar the Great.
Taragarh Fort : Taragarh or the Star Fort, was one of the main sites, of the military activity, during the Mughal period. This fort offers, a beautiful view over the city.
The Museum : Once the royal residence of Emperor Akbar ,the museum houses a rich repository of the Mughal and Rajput Armour and exquisite sculptures
Ana Sagar Lake : Although, being artificial, this lake provides one, with a splendid feeling of love. It is a perfect place for boating. Daulat Bagh, the pleasant park, on its bank, contains a series of marble pavilions.
Pushkar : Located 11km from Ajmer, according to Hindu mythology the town is the creation of Lord Brahma - the Creator of the Universe. A temple dedicated to Brahma has been built here.
Pushkar also hosts one of the most colorful cattle fairs in the country. Lakhs of visitors throng the Pushkar Fair - a once-in-a-lifetime experience that you will not want to miss.
Mayo College : Founded by the British Viceroy Lord Mayo - it is one of the finest schools in India. Mayo College is famous not just for the quality of education it imparts, but for its architecture as well. Designed by Sir Samuel Swinton Jacob, the state engineer of Jaipur, Mayo College is built of white marble. Founded in 1875, as a school for Indian princes, its first pupil was the Maharaja of Alwar.
Temples at Ajmer :
Brahma Temple : This is the only existing temple dedicated to lord Brahma and was constructed in the 14th century, standing on a high plinth with marble steps leading up to it. A beautiful carved silver turtle sits on the floor facing the sanctorum or Garbha Griha. The marble floor around the silver turtle is embedded with hundreds of silver coins, with donors name engraved on them.
Nasiyan Temple : The red temple is a Digambar Jain temple which has a double- storey hall adjacent to the main temple. The hall displays a series of large gold plated wooden figures depicting legends from Jain mythology. The entire hall is richly adorned by glass mosaic, precious stones, gold and silver work. The place is also popularly called Soni Ji Ki Nasiyan.
Savitri Temple : The temple of Lord Brahma's first wife. It is located on the hill behind the Brahma temple and one has to climb a long series of steps to reach the shrine. It commands a panoramic view of the beautiful lake and the picturesque surrounding of the villages.
Saraswati Temple : Saraswati is the wife of Brahma. Literally her name means 'the flowing one' .In the Rig Veda she represents a river deity and is connected with fertility and purification. She is considered the personification of all knowledge - arts, sciences, crafts and skills. She is the goddess of the creative impulse, the source of music, beauty and eloquence.
Rangji Temple : Lord Rangji is an carnation in of lord Vishnu. This temple was built in 1823 by Seth Puran Mal Ganeriwal of Hyderabad.This temple is unique due to confluence of South Indian style (Dravid) Rajput and Mughal style of architecture.
Shopping in Ajmer :
There are a number of other shopping places in Ajmer, Rajasthan. One of them is the Ajaymeru Udyog Crafts Mela. Here you will find typical Rajasthani items of home decor items, silver souvenirs, bangles, hand embroidered cloth bags, leather belts, woodcrafts, etc. Then, there is the Pushkar Fair, near Ajmer, where you can buy many handicraft items at reasonable prices. Woven Fabric Items, Block Printed Items and Traditional Handicrafts and Miniature Paitings.
Accommodation in Ajmer :
Royal Desert Camp : Offering well appointed cottages with attached bath, restaurant, travel desk services, laundry service, doctor on call, car rental, money exchange, locker facility and coffee shop.
Roopangarh Fort : Providing services and facilities such as accommodation, multicuisine restaurant, tennis court and camel safari.
Mansingh Palace, Ajmer : Provides centrally air conditioned & well furnished rooms, multicuisine restaurant, bar, conference facilities, secretarial services and shopping arcade.
Hotel Regency : A 2 star hotel offers facilities and services including well furnished rooms, running hot & cold water, 24 hours room service, conference hall, restaurant, bar, doctor on call, laundry & dry cleaning and car rentals.
How to reach Ajmer :
By Air : The nearest airport to reach Ajmer city in India is located a Jaipur Sanganer Airport. Sanganer Airport of Jaipur is at a distance of about 135 Kms. far from Ajmer City.
By Rail : Pink City, Chetak and Shatabdi Express are the regular Trains that provides the best Rail services to the tourists from Delhi and Jaipur. Although the Ajmer City is well connected with other major cities of Rajasthan as well as from the other major states of India.
By Road : Ajmer city in the state of Rajasthan in India is well connected by Road from almost all the major cities of India.
