Destination of the devout and home to the holy. That, in brief, encapsulates the abiding spirit of the city of Ajmer, widely known for its pilgrim spots for the rainbow religions that make up the diverse landscape of India.
Located almost towards the centre of Rajasthan, the city has a chequered past, having been ruled by a multitude of dynasties, from the Mughal to the Rajput, a fact visible in its culture, architecture, places of worship and traditions. Ajmer sits like an oasis – a landscape relieved by green belts and surrounded by barren hills. Founded in the 7th century by Raja Ajay Pal Chauhan, Ajmer was ruled by the Chauhan dynasty well into the 12th century, till 1193, when Prithvi Raj Chauhan 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.
Sights to See
It is where gods come to rest, it is a land imbued with the spirit of devout religion and abundant faith. It is the place where devotees come for some panacea for their souls. The place that is a microcosm of India’s famous tolerant traditions, AJmer plays host to pilgrim places for all religious faith. It is a picture postcard for national integration and religious tolerance. The landcape of this ‘holy’ city is peppered with its share of forts and palaces too, a throwback to its warrior – and war-ravaged – past.
The Dargah
This beautiful tomb lies in the foothills and is one of the most-visited pilgrim centre 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 gifted by the Nizam of Hyderabad.
Shah Jahan’s Mosque is in the inner courtyards of the Dargah at Ajmer. Built in the Mughal architectural style, the mosque features 11 arches and stands tall at 41 metres. It is topped by a magnificent marble dome, believed to have been extracted from the same mines from which marble for the Taj Mahal was extracted.
The famous Pushkar Lake of Rajasthan is located in the small town of Pushkar, 11 km from Ajmer. The lake is surrounded by almost 500 temples around its banks and 52 ghats connect these series of temples. Built by the erstwhile rulers of different regions of Rajasthan, the temples and many of the ghats as well, have been named by their founders. The lake water at Pushkar is considered holy. The week-long Pushkar Fair is held in the month of November, which is a special attraction.
The ancient Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra mosque, at present in ruins, is one of the primitive Indo-Islamic buildings in North India. The building, believed to be a Sanskrit institution, was modified and restructured by invader Muhammad Ghori. There are seven arches lining up the façade and the entire structure is built over pillars. One astonishing fact about these pillars is that no two are similar. 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). Another version I that a two-and-a-half-day fair is responsible for the name.
Ana Sagar, also known as the “lake” locally, has marble pavillions in a garden and is a wonderful place to sit and relax, especially on hot days.
Taragarh Fort is more popular as the Star Fort and stands on a hill-top. This 12th-century fort affords a spectacular view of the Ajmer city. The fort, due to its strategic position and height, was considered as invincible.
Nasiyan Temple, popularly known as the Red Temple, is a Jain Temple belonging to the Digambar sect. Built in 1865, it features a two-storey structure, wooden figures and precious stones.
Excurions
City on Foot
There are some wonderful back-alleys in Ajmer that hides away breathtaking architectural gems – just wander down small side streets from the Dargah bazaar and you’ll see some wonderful old architecture and murals before you stumble back across a main street.
Camel and Horse Safari
One of the best amusements in Rajasthan is a camel ride. At Pushkar, a number of locals provide this opportunity to explore the sand stretches on ship of the deserts. Horse safari too are frequently conducted from here.
Getting There
By Air
The nearest airport is located at Jaipur, 138 km from Ajmer. It is a domestic airport and linked to all major cities of India.
By Rail
Ajmer has its own railway station and trains from Delhi frequently stop here.
By Road
The place is connected to most of the neighbouring cities and regions, like Jaipur, Bikaner, Bharatpur, Agra and Delhi. Long-distance bus services are available from these regions.
Getting Around
Ajmer is a mall-enough city that can be explored on foot. Every major tourist site is within walking distance from the main city centre. Other options include cycle rickshaws, auto rickshaws (who are intent on taking you to Pushkar) and horse-drawn tongas (the latter on selected routes only). There are also tempos that run from the bus stand to the railway station and all over town.