Ajmer

The invincible city

Founded by Ajai Pal Chauhan in the 7th century, it was originally called Ajaimeur or the invincible hill, and remained a centre of Chauhan power till 1193 A.D. when Prithvi Raj Chauhan lost to Muhammed Gohri in a battle that still makes hackles rise from the pages of history textbooks. Since then Ajmer has passed through different hands – the Marwar rulers, the Mughals, the Marathas and finally the East India Company. Perhaps that explains the vibrancy of Ajmer’s culture, and its rich heritage of music, dance and art.

Orientation

Located on the lower slopes of T?r?garh Hill, in the Aravalli Range, Ajmer city lies in the heart of Rajasthan state, and is situated about 400 km from Delhi, and 368 km from Agra.

Weather

Rajasthan is a predominantly dry state, and Ajmer too is known for its cracking heat in summer where the temperatures soar above 40°C. It’s one of those places you need to keep clear of between April and June. The best time to visit is between October and March where the temperature varies between 5° to 22°C.

And like most places, Ajmer is at its beautiful best during the monsoons; and since rainfall is invariably moderate in the city, it’s fun to visit between July and September if you don’t mind a little rain.

Best time to visit:

Between July and September.

Getting there / Route Information

Distances from major cities:

Jaipur – 138 km
Udaipur – 274 km
Agra – 368 km
Ahmadabad – 480 km
Delhi – 400 km
Mumbai – 1,038 km

By Road

Ajmer is well connected, as it has NH 8 (that connects Mumbai to Delhi, and runs through Udaipur and Jaipur) running through it. It is also well connected to other major cities in Rajasthan

By Train

Ajmer is connected by Rail to Delhi, Agra, Ahmedabad, Barmer, Bharatpur, Bikaner, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Mount Abu and Mumbai. Pink City Express and Shatabdi Express connect Ajmer to Delhi and Jaipur; while Aravalli Express connects Mumbai to Ajmer via Ahmadabad.

By Air

The nearest air terminal is Jaipur International Airport (140 km from Ajmer city).

Pictures of Ajmer

Major attractions

Dargah Khwaja Sahib

Situated at the base of a small hill in the old part of the city, this Dargah of the Sufi saint Hazrat Khwaja Muinuddin Chishti (who came to Ajmer from Persia in 1192) is a sacred centre of pilgrimage. The Dargah includes many constructions, tombs, courtyards and Daalaans, some of which were erected during the Mughal rule. The annual Urs festival is celebrated with great gusto; and people of all faiths are always welcome in the Dargah.

Adhai-Din Ka-Jhonpra

Located just on the outskirts of the city, it is believed that this mosque (now one of the greatest specimens of Indo-Islamic architecture) was built in two and half days during the rule of Mohammed Ghouri. History claims that the site was originally an old Sanskrit college that was destroyed, and the mosque built in its place. Pillars of various destroyed temples were used to support the structure, and hence, you still see traces of Hindu architecture on the stone pillars.

Taragarh Fort

Built in 1354 A.D, Taragarh Fort is a masterpiece of Rajasthani Architecture, and still stands tall, guarding the city from a hilltop. During the Mughal rule, the fort was a centre of military activity, and much later during the years of British occupation of the city the fort was used as a sanatorium. Look out for the Miran Saheb ki Dargha and the Bhim Burj, a battlement, located inside the fort premises.

Akbar’s Palace

A great example of Mughal architecture, Akbar’s palace was built in the year 1570 to serve as a home for Emperor Akbar during his visits to the city. In 1908 a portion of the Palace was converted into a museum, where a mindboggling array of military armour and weapons are on display.

Government Museum

Built in 1908, the Ajmer Government museum tells every story from Ajmer’s rich history. It is located in the Lohagarh Fort and speaks of Ajmer’s turbulent Military history that dates back to the 18^th Century, and then of the days of the British Raj.

Ana Sagar Lake

Ana Sagar is a manmade lake created in the 12^th Century by damming the River Loni. It is a beautiful sight with its surrounding hills and Daulat Bagh (a park built during Shah Jahan’s rule) on its banks.

Nasiyan (Red) Temple

Built in 1865, this Digambar Jain Temple is commonly called Red Temple because of its colour. It is worth seeing for its portrayal of the Jain concept of the World, and for its lavish jewelled decor.

Mayo College

Built in 1878 by Lord Mayo, the Viceroy of India, Mayo College is still one of the best Public schools in the country. Built in white unpolished marble with a delicate clock tower, this structure is definitely worth a dekko.

Pushkar

Situated 11 km North-West of Ajmer, Pushkar is considered to be a sacred village of the Hindus. It is worth visiting for its serenity, tranquillity, and sheer beauty. Located all round the holy Pushkar lake, the place has about 400 temples, with the main deities being Brahma and Nag.