Bharatpur (305 km), Jodhpur (210 km),
Udaipur (303 km), Kota (200 km)
STD Code
0145
Best time
Oct to March
Local
Languages
Hindi,
Rajasthani, Urdu, English
History
About Ajmer City :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.
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 when 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 bus stand in Ajmer is located near the RTDC hotel Khadim. And
the railway is further north and most of the hotels are west of the
stations. Northeast is the main post office and most of the cities
market is located behind and up to Agra Gate. Further north is a
large artificial lake called the Anna Sagar.
Dargah
Khwaja Sahib It
is the landmark of Ajmer and one of the holiest of Muslim shrines in
the country. It has a secular appeal and revered by people of all
sect. Khwaja Moin-ud-din Chisti, a Sufi saint from Persia made this
place his abode from 1192 till he died in 1236 AD. Mughal King
Humayun completed the construction of the shrine. The Dargah is
approached through a massive gate with silver doors built in several
stages. Emperor Akbar made an annual pilgrimage to Ajmer. Mughal
Emperors Akbar and Shah Zahan have built mosques in the complex. The
saint's tomb is in the centre of the second courtyard and the actual
tomb inside is surrounded by a silver railing and partly by a marble
screen. The tomb is of marble and dome is gold plated. The
atmosphere inside the shrine is charged and supernatural with
burning of incense and offerings of flowers mainly rose and sweets.
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).
Getting around
Ajmer is a relatively small town and easy
enough to get around on foot, but there are plenty of auto -
rickshaws and cycles - rickshaws.
Shopping
Shopping is fun in Ajmer. One can go on a
buying spree for various kinds of items representing
Rajasthani culture and style, Silver and gold ornaments,
jewellery, tie & dye textiles, embroidered Jodhpuri shoes (Mojari)
are some of the specialities available on the shelf.