Ajmer

PRIME SITES

The Dargah : At the foot of a barren hill, is situated India's most important pilgrimage centre for people from all faiths. It is the splendid tomb of the Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, more popularly known as Khwaja Saheb or Khwaja Sharif. The shrine is next only to Mecca or Medina for the Muslims of South Asia. Akbar used to make a pilgrimage to the Dargah from Agra once a year.

The mausoleum has a gigantic gate. which was built by the Nizam of Hyderabad.

The two massive cauldrons in the courtyard are of particular interest and on the right side of the courtyard is the Akbari Masjid built in white marble. There is another mosque in the courtyard built by Shahjahan.

The saint's tomb with a splendid marble dome is in the centre of the second courtyard which is surrounded by a silver platform.

The shrine attracts thousands of pilgrims during the Urs - commemorating the death anniversary of the Saint. held from the I st to 6th day of the Islamic month of Rajab. A colourful fair that springs up during this time is the major attraction.

Shahjahao's Mosque: In the corner of the inner court of the Dargah, is a magnificent building in white marble with a long (30.5 m) and narrow court having low arcade and delicate carvings with trellis-work. It is the most marvellous of all the sanctums within the sanctuary of the Dargah.

Adhai-din-ka-Jhonpra : A remarkable structure, this is a masterpiece of Indo­Islamic architecture located on the outskirts of the city, just beyond .the Dargah . As the legend goes, its construction took two and a half days (Adhai-Din) to complete. It was orginally a Sanskrit college, built within a temple. In 1193 A.D., Mohammad Ghauri conquered Ajmer and converted the building into a mosque by adding a seven­arched wall in front of the pillared hall in just two-and-a-half days (adhai-din) and hence the name. The distinct pillars and arched 'Screen' with its ruined minarets make it a splendid architectural masterpiece.

Taragarh Fort: A steep one and a half hour climb beyond the Adhai-din-ka­Jhonpra leads to the ruins of the Taragarh Fort, perched on a hill. One can have an excellent view of the city from here.

The fort was the site of the military activity during the Mughal period, later used as a sanatorium by the British.

The Museum: Once the royal residence of Emperor Akbar, the museum houses a rich repository of the Mughal and Rajput armour and exquisite sculptures.

The Circuit House: The former British Residency, overlooking the artificial lake, Ana Sagar, has now been converted to the Circuit House. The lake and the cenotaph and the shrine of the Hindu reformer Swami Dayanand, founder of the Arya Samaj movement in India, can be viewed from here.


EXCURSIONS

Pushkar Lake (II km) : The lake, situated on the edge of the desert and surrounded by hills on the three sides, is separated from Ajmer by 'Nag Pahar'- the snake mountain. On this mountain the Panchkund \lnd the cave of saint Agastya are located. It is believed that Kalidasa ­the 4th century Sa!lskrit poet and playright , chose the setting for his masterpiece 'Abhigyana Shakuntalam 'in this forest heritage.

According to legend, the origin of Pushkar dates back to the time when Lord Brahma was on his way in search of a tranquil land to perform a 'Yagna'.

A lotus fell from the hand of the Lord into this valley. A lake sprang up on this spot and was dedicated to him. A Brahma temple located here is a popular place of pilgrimage.

Pushkar Fair: It is one of the most colourful fairs of India. Lakhs of pilgrims throng the lake during the annual cattle fair. Besides trading of horses, camels, cows and bulls, there are exciting camel-cart races and cultural events. Clothes, household items and leather goods are for sale during the fair.

On the full moon of Kartik (Nov.) pilgrims take a'holy dip in the lake.

Man Mahal : Along the banks of the Pushkar Lake is the former residence of Raja Man Singh of Amer, Man Mahal. Presently it is converted to RTDC Sarovar Tourist Bungalow ensuring convenient accommodation to travellers. Pushkar Palace (Kishagarh House) adjoining it is a heritage hotel.

Foy Sagar (5 km) : A picturesque artificial lake named after the engineer Foy who created it under a famine relief project.

Shopping: Shopping in Ajmer is an enjoyable experience. One can shop for antiques, curios, fascinating gold and silver jewellery in contemporary designs, colourful tie-and-dye sarees and embroidered jodhpuri 'Jutis'. Especially during the annual Urs fair, a range of colourful items and marvellous creations of traditional folk artisans are for sale.


TRAVEL INFORMATION HOW TO GET THERE

Air: Jaipur 132 km is the nearest airport. Rail: Regular train services link Ajmer with imponant cities. Some imponant train connections are: Gujarat Mail (Mumbai-Ajmer-Delhi Sarai Rohilla); Jodhpur Mail (Marwar-Ajmer-Jaipur); Delhi Express (Ahmedabad-Ajmer­Jaipur); Shatabadi Express (New Delhi Ajmer-New Delhi).

Road: A good network of bus services operate from Ajmer to key destinations around.

Local Transport: City bus service operates in the city and to Pushkar. Unmetered taxis, auto-rickshaws, tongas and cycle-rickshaws are also available.

Where to stay: Standard Hotels: Hotel Mansingh Palace, Hotel Regency, RTDC Hotel Khadim, Hotel Ajaymeru.

Budget Hotels: Shobhraj Hotel, Hindu Hotel, Hotel Anand, Hotel Bhola, Hotel Malwa, Hotel Payal, Hotel Prithviraj, KEM Rest House, Nagpal Tourist Hotel, Sancheti Hotel, Hotel Surya, Hotel Paramount, Hotel Samra!, Hotel Ambassador, Hotel Motimahal, Hotel Aaram.

Supplementary Accommodation: Railway Retiring Rooms and Dharmshalas. For details contact: Tourist Reception Centre, RTDC Hotel Khadim (Tel. : 0145-20490) Savitri College Road, Ajmer (Tel: 0145-52426).


OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION

Bank/Money Changers: Bank of Baroda, Prithviraj Marg, Tel. : 22575; Bank of Bikaner & Jaipur, Station Road, Tel. : 429646; Bank of India, Kaisarganj,Tel. : 432153; Bank of Rajasthan, Mayo College, Tel. : 431424; Central Bank of India, Tel. : 32496; Punjab National Bank, Prithvjraj Marg, Tel. : 429696; State Bank of India, near Collectorate, Tel. : 52048.
Also, authorised money changers are available in the leading hotels.

Hospitals: J.L. Nehru Hospital, Tel. : 52521.

Club: Ajmer Club, Tel. : 20003.

Tourist Reception Centre: Assistant Director, Tourist Reception Centre, Hotel Khadim (RTDC). Tel. : 52426;
Tourist Information Counter at Railway Station.

Guide Service: Approved guides may be hired through the Asst!. Director, Tourist Reception Centre, Tel. : 52426

Important Telephone Numbers: Police Control Room, Tel. : 21000;
Roadways (Central bus stand),
Tel. ., 429398; Railways,
Tel. : 131 (Enquiry), 132 (Reservation),
General Post Office; Tel. : 427603.


GENERAL INFORMATION

Area : 55.76 sq. km.

Altitude: 486 metres

Climate: Mean Max. Summer: 38.1°C Winter: 23.3° C
                Mean Min. Summer: 27.7°C Winter: 05.5° C

Rainfall: 38 to 51 cms.

Clothing: Summer: Light Tropical
                  Winter: Woollen

Best Season: July-March

Languages: Rajasthani, Hindi, Urdu, English, Sindhi.

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