Ajmer is an important pilgrimage center for Muslims in Rajasthan. The town is famous for the Ajmer Sharif Dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti. Every year thousands of Muslim pilgrims travel to Ajmer from not only India but neighboring countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh as well.
Ajmer attracts large number of pilgrims not only Muslims but Hindus as well. The town is located just 11km from Pushkar, a very important religious town for Hindus. Ajmer works as a gateway for Pushkar. Since there is no direct train service to Pushkar, Ajmer works as a pit stop for the Hindu devotees.
Ajmer is quite a picturesque town. It is regarded as the oasis of the Aaravalli Hills. The Lake Foy Sagar is perhaps the most beautiful spot in the town with the backdrop of Aravalli Hills.
WHEN TO TRAVEL
The best time to travel Ajmer is October to March. The winters are generally pleasant to visit Ajmer. However Muslim pilgrims may prefer to visit during the annual Urs of Moinuddin Chishti in May. However the summer of Rajasthan is quite hot.
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS
Dargah Sharif - Every year more than 200,000 pilgrims visits the famous Ajmer Dargah Sharif of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti. The tomb is on the foothill of Taragarh hill. This white marble structure has two courtyards. Mughal Emperor Akhbar used to visit Dargah from Agra on foot every year. It is necessary for men and women to cover their heads. Women should also cover their shoulders.
Taragarh Fort - Taragarh Fort is the one of the oldest forts in world and the first in Asia to be built on a hill. It was built around the time when Aravalli Mountain range used to cover with snow. The fort overlooks the city of Ajmer and can only be reached via foot through rough paved slopes.
Adhai Din Ka Jhonpda - This structure was built as a Vaishnava Hindu temple in 1153. In 1193 it was destroyed and turned into mosque by the Qutbuddun Aybak. Today only the mosque part of the structure called Jama Iltutmish remains in good shape. The Hindu temple part has turned into ruins. But this does not takes away the Hindu architectural marvel of the place that has overshadowed the mosque.
Magazine - Magazine is a museum built on the former residence of Prince Salim. Today it houses collection of Mughal and Rajput sculpture and armour.
Ana Sagar Lake - Ana Sagar Lake is a man-made lake built by the Maharaja Anaji, who was the grandfather of great Indian ruler - Prithviraj Chauhan. During the Mughal rule, King Jahangir laid out a garden called Daulat Bagh near the lake. Later another Mughal emperor Shah Jahan added five pavilions to add to the beauty of the place.
Soniji Ki Nasiyan - Built in 1864 Soniji Ki Nasiyan is a Digambara Jain temple. The main attraction of the temple is the main chamber known as City of Gold due to several gold plated figuers.
Lake Foy sagar - This artificial lake is perhaps the most beautiful spot in Ajmer in the backdrop of Aravalli Hills. Its a nice sunset spot.
AJMER HOTELS
There are very few hotels in Ajmer. In addition there are several dharamshala to accommodate visitors. Some well known hotels in Ajmer are Mansingh Palace Hotel Ajmer, Hotel Merwara Estate Ajmer, Hotel Sahil Ajmer and Hotel Royal Palace Ajmer.
HOW TO REACH
By Air - Ajmer Airport is currently under construction and will be operational from 2012. The nearest airport from Ajmer is Jaipur some 132km away.
By Rail - Indian Railways has connected Ajmer to all major cities like Delhi, Ahmedabad, Bhopal, Mumbai, Nagpur etc. The Ajmer Shatabdi Express is the fastest train to reach Ajmer. The Delhi - Ahmedabad Mail is slow but a nice overnight train that gives tourists enough time to sleep.
By Road - Ajmer can be reached within 4 hours by Jaipur via Bus. If you are traveling by car then it would only take around 2 hours. You can also take bus from Jodhpur to reach Ajmer that would take 5 hours.
