Ajmer
Covered in this Article :
Fast facts, Ajmer - Introduction, Tourist Places, Transportation, Accommodation, Tour Packages.
Fast Facts
City : Ajmer
Location : Rajasthan Centre
Distance : Jaipur 138 kms, South West
Attractions : Taragarh Fort, Pushkar Lake, Nasiya Temple, Dargah Sharif, Camel Safari
Best Time To Visit : October – March
Introducing Ajmer
Ajmer lies towards the centre of the Rajasthan state. The place is widely known for its pilgrimage places for Hindu and Muslim followers. The famous Dargah Sharif of Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti lies in the city and is visited by thousands of devotees every year. The history of Ajmer is varied due to frequent change of ruling power, amongst various Muslim and Rajputana dynasties. The place as such bears impressions of several cultures and traditions. An overview of the city reveals distinct green belts surrounded by barren hills.
Ajmer was founded in the 7th century by Raja Ajay Pal Chauhan. The Chauhan dynasty retained its hold on the territory until 1193 A.D. In the same year Prithvi Raj Chauhan, local ruler of Ajmer at that time, lost the battle with Muhammad Ghori. The following decades and centuries witnessed a frequent shifting of the power and left behind a rich legacy, which can be found at many places in the city.
Tourist Places at Ajmer
Major tourist attractions of Alwar are the pilgrimage centers, especially the Dargah Sharif. The city further leads to the famous holy place Pushkar. The tourist places located in and around Ajmer are provided below
The Dargah : This beautiful tomb lies in the foot hills and is one of the most visited pilgrimage center in the state. The tomb marks the burial place of the renowned Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Hasan Chisti. The place features several courtyards and mosques. The tomb is topped by a dome of white marble and has massive gates that were provided by the Nizam of Hyderabad.
Taragarh Fort : Popular as Star Fort, this 12th century fort stands on a hill top. The fort gives a spectacular view of the Ajmer city. The fort was built in the year 1100 A.D., by Ajaypal Chauhan. The fort, due to its strategic position and height, was considered as invincible.
Shah Jahan's Mosque : This great mosque is provided in the inner courtyards of the Dargah at Ajmer. Built in Mughal architectural style, the mosque features 11 arches and a stunning height of 41 metres. The mosque is topped by a magnificent marble dome, which is believed as having been extracted from the same mines from which marble for Taj Mahal was extracted.
Pushkar Lake : This famous lake of Rajasthan is located in a small town - Pushkar, some 11 kms from Ajmer. With some 500 temples located on its banks, the lake encompasses the divinity and holiness all around. There are 52 Ghats that connects the series of temples. These temples were built by the erstwhile rulers of different regions of Rajasthan and as such many of the Ghats and temples have been named by their founders. The lake water at Pushkar is considered holy by the Hindu followers. Thousands of pilgrims reach the place, every year, for salvation. The Pushkar Fair, held in the month of Kartik (November) is a special attraction. One gets a lot to see in this week long animal fair.
Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra :
This ancient mosque, which at present is in ruins, is one of the primitive Indo-Islamic buildings in North India. The building, believed to be a Sanskrit institutions, was modified and restructured by the Muslim invader Muhammad Ghori. There are seven arches lining up the facade and the entire structure is built over pillars. One astonishing fact about these pillars is that no two of them are same. There are contradictory reports about the name attributed to this structure. Some people believe that the mosque was constructed in two and a half days; adhai meaning two and a half ( adhai din ka jhonpra - two and a half day cottage). Yet, another version holds a two and a half days fair responsible for the name.
Camel and Horse Safari : One of the best amusements in Rajasthan is a camel ride. At Pushkar a number of locals provide this unique opportunity, to explore the sand stretches on ship of the deserts. Apart from that one can also get to ride a horse, as horse safari are also frequently conducted from here.
Nasiyan Temple : Located on Prithviraj Marg and popularly called as Red Temple, stands as a great attraction in the backdrop of Ajmer. This Digambar Jain Temple was built in the year 1865 and features a double storey structure, wooden figures and precious stones.
How To Reach
By Air Nearest airport is located at Jaipur, some 138 kms from Ajmer. It is a domestic airport and linked to all major cities of India.
By Rail : The place is provided with a railway station and trains from Delhi frequently stop here.
By Road : The place is connected to most of the regions around like Jaipur, Bikaner, Bharatpur, Agra, Delhi, etc. Long distance bus services are available from these regions.
Places Where You Can Stay
There is a range of hotels available at Ajmer and Pushkar. The hotels are provided separately for each destination
Ajmer Hotels : Mansingh Palace, Bijay Niwas Palace Resort, Roopan Garh Fort, Hotel Regency, Nagpal Tourist, Poonam hotel, Khadim (RTDC).
Pushkar Hotels : Lake View hotel, Navratan Palace, Ambika hotel, Oasis hotel, Pushkar Palace, Amar hotel. Besides these, there are numerous dharamsalas, at Pushkar, for pilgrims.
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