Ajmer

Ajmer

Ajmer is surrounded by the Aravalli Mountains and situated in Rajasthan. It is also one of the major cities in the Rajasthan. It is home to the Ajmer Sharif shrine. The city was set as Ajayameru by a Rajput Rular Shakambhari Chahamana (Chauhan), either Ajayaraja I or Ajayaraja II. It remained as the Chahamana capital until the 12th century.

Tourist Places in Ajmer

Pushkar

Pushkar is set a few kilometers from Ajmer and an important tourist and pilgrimage destination of Ajmer city. It is popular for Pushkar Lake and Brahma Temple of 14the century and dedicated to Brahma.

Pushkar Lake

Pushkar Lake is also known as Pushkar Sarovar which is located in the town of Pushkar in Ajmer. Pushkar Lake is a holy lake of the Hindus. The Hindu called it as Tirtha-Guru. God Brahma whose most main temple positions in Pushkar. The Pushkar Lake is mention on coins as early as the 4th century BC.

Pushkar Lake is surrounded by 52 bathing Ghats. Pilgrims come here to take a sacred bath mainly around Kartik Poornima (October–November) when the Pushkar Fair is held. It is believed that to take a bath in the sacred lake will wash sins and cure skin diseases. There are more than 500 Hindu temples are situated around the lake premises.

Pushkar Fair

The Pushkar Fair is known as the Pushkar Camel Fair. It is held in the town of Pushkar which is called Kartik Mela or Pushkar ka Mela by the local people. It is an annual livestock fair and culture programs which starts in the month of Kartik - October and November. The Pushkar fair attracts over than 200,000 visitors every year.

The Pushkar fair is one of India's biggest camel, horse and cattle fairs.  Not only it is a place of trading of livestock but also it is an important pilgrimage season for Hindus to the Pushkar Lake. Pushkar fair has also become an important tourist destination for both domestic and international tourist because of the colorful cultural themes. In the Pushkar fair there are Cultural events as well as competitions such as dances, longest moustache competition, bridal competition, camel races and others make it famous among tourists. During fair, a lot of handicraft stalls are decorated at the full of bracelets, clothes, textiles and fabrics. The full moon day of Kartik (October–November) sees a lot of crowd of Hindu pilgrims. They worship in the temple after a holy dip in the Pushkar Lake and visit the fair.

Brahma Temple in Pushkar

Jagatpita Brahma Mandir is a Hindu temple. It is situated at Pushkar near to the sacred Pushkar Lake. The temple is one of very few existing temples dedicated to the Hindu God Brahma in India.

The temple structure is about the 14th century and made of marble and stone slabs. In the temple sanctum there is four-headed Brahma and his consort Gayatri (goddess of milk). A festival is held on kartik Poornima dedicated to Brahma. On this day a lot of Pilgrims take a bath in sacred lake and visit the temple.

Manibandh or Chamunda Mata Mandir

Chamunda Mata Mandir is situated at Gayatri hills near Pushkar around 11 km from Ajmer. It is also known as Manibandh tample which is one among the 108 Shakti Peeth. It is about 6 km far from Pushkar Lake.

Ajmer Sharif Dargah

Ajmer Sharif Dargah is located at the foot of Taragarh hill. It is a temple of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti. It has several white marble buildings.  There is a huge gate donated by the Nizam of Hyderabad and the Akbari Mosque. Akbari Mosue is made by the Mughal king Shah Jahan and having the domed tomb of the saint. It is said that Akbar and his queen used to come here by foot each year from Agra in observance of a promise when they prayed for a son. There are large pillars Kose Minars on the entire way between Agra and Ajmer. These show the places where the royal pilgrims stopped every day. These can be also seen today. More than 100000 pilgrims visit here every day. Every year on the 6th and 7th of Rajab, The Urs of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti is celebrated.

Tomb of Khwaja Husain Ajmeri

Khwaja Husain Ajmeri is also called Shaikh Husain Ajmeri. He was a Grandson of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishty of Ajmer. He was SajjadaNasheen & Mutwalli of Ajmer Dargah at the time of king Akbar & Jahangir. His tomb is set near Sola Khamba Tomb and behind Shahjahani Mosque Dargar Sharif Ajmer. His tomb is built in 1637-38.

Soni Ji Ki Nasiyaan

It is a Jain temple which is built in the late nineteenth century. Its main chamber Swarna Nagari ‘City of Gold’ is made from 1000 kg gold which has prominent depiction of Ayodhya.

Akbari Fort & Museum

The city's museum has a collection of Mughal and Rajput armor and sculpture. Before this the city's museum was the residence of Prince Salim who was the son of the Akbar king. This is a superb example of Mughal architecture and was built by Akbar. It is the same place where the Emperor Jahangir read out the Firman and allowing the British East India Company to trade with India.

Taragarh Fort

It is said to be the oldest hill fort in India and it is partially enclosed by a 20 feet thick wall. This hill fort used to protect Ajmer so it was the first choice of the Chauhan rulers. It was made by King Ajaypal Chauhan on the top of Taragarh Hill. Within There was the temple of a Muhammadan saint Saiyid Husain who is also known as the Ganj Shahldan. Nur-chashma is still remains here which is a garden-house used by the Mughals. There is also a water-lift started by Maldeo Rathor. It is used to raise water to the Taragarh citadel.

Nareli Jain Temple

It is a Jain shrine compound of fourteen temples that are recently built. It is famous for its architecture and stone carvings. This gives it a traditional and contemporary look.

Anasagar Lake

It is a man-made lake built by Maharaja Anaji.  A garden named Daulat Bagh lay out by King Jahangir. Later king Shah Jahan added five pavilions which are known as the Baradari, between the garden and the lake. It has the site of the former hammam (bath-room). Three of the five pavilions were made into residences for British officials and was enclosed by gardens.

Lake Foy Sagar

It is an artificial lake which is located around 3 miles from the main city. It was made as a famine relief project in 1892. It is very attractive lake which gives excellent views of Aravali mountains range as well as migrating birds. The city used to get water during colonial times. The water was taken into the city through pipes which were laid underground. 150,000,000 cubic feet is the capacity of the lake.

Prithviraj Smark

Prithviraj Smark is situated on the way to Taragarh Fort. It belongs to the Maharaja Prithviraj of Rajput Chauhan dynasty of Ajmer. This place has a statue of King Prithviraj Chauhan mounted on a horse.

How to Reach

By Air: The nearest airport is Sanganer Airport. It is around 135 km far from the Ajmer city. Private and Government Buses, cabs and rented taxis can be taken easily from outside of the airport to reach the city.

By Rail: The Nearest railway station is the Ajmer railway station. It has good train connectivity with other major stations in Rajasthan and from Delhi and Ahmedabad. Ajmer railway station is also well connected to others tourist places in Rajasthan such as Jaipur and Udaipur. Traveling by train within Rajasthan is a good and cheap option.

By Road: Ajmer has good road connectivity to various part of the country. State transport, Volvo and deluxe buses are regularly available. Sleeper buses are available from Delhi, Kota, Ahmedabad, Udaipur and Jaipur. It is typically an overnight journey and reaches in Ajmer in morning. This journey is quite cheap and comfortable.

Best time to Visit

Ajmer can be visited any time of the year. The best time is to visit it from October to March. These months are enjoyable and pleasant. The annual Urs festival is held during the month of May every year and a lot of devotees visit here to worship not only to the Muslim community but also from other religious communities.