Here is the splendid tomb of the Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti, more popularly known as Khwaja Sahib who came to Ajmer from Persia in 1192 AD.
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The entrance to the complex is from the dargah bazaar, which leads to the
first courtyard. This courtyard has a mosque built by Akbar and two iron
cauldrons known as degs in which donations are made. These donations are
later divided among the families involved in the shrine's upkeep.
The construction of the shrine was completed by Humayun. 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. Constructed of white
marble it has a Persian inscription running the entire length of the
building. The mausoleum has a gigantic gate, which was built by the Nizam
of Hyderabad.
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The saint's tomb with a splendid marble dome is in the centre of the
second courtyard, which is surrounded by a silver platform. Horseshoes,
offerings from horse dealers are nailed to the shrine doors. The shrine
attracts thousands of pilgrims during the Urs-commemorating the death
anniversary of the Saint, held from the 1st to the 6th day of the Islamic
month of Rajab.
During the celebrations, the devotees' food is cooked in two enormous degs
(cauldrons), one of them nearly 10 feet in diameter, and then follows the
ritual of "looting the degs". After emptying them at lightening speed,
attendants jump inside the steaming hot interiors to scrape out the dregs
in less than 5 minutes.
A colourful fair that springs up during this time is another major attraction.
Shahjahan's Mosque
In the corner of the inner court of the Dargah, is a magnificent building
in white marble with a long (30.5m) and narrow court having a low arcade
and delicate carvings with trellis work. It is the most marvellous of all
the sanctums within the sanctuary of the Dargah.
| Pushkar, 11 km from Ajmer, with its picturesque lake, is believed to be the abode of Lord Brahma and has the only temple dedicated to him.
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Adhai-din-ka-jhonpra
Located on the outskirts of the city, just beyond the Dargah it is a
masterpiece of Indo-Islamic architecture. As the legend goes, its
construction took two and a half days (Adhai-Din) to complete. It was
originally a Sanskrit college, built within a temple. In 1193 A.D.
Mohammed Ghori conquered Ajmer from the then ruler Prithviraj Chauhan and
converted the building into a mosque by adding a seven arched wall in
front of the pillared hall in just two-and-half days (adhai-din) and hence
the name. The distinct pillars-and arched "Screen" with its ruined
minarets make it a splendid architectural masterpiece.
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Taragarh Fort
The Taragarh Fort, perched on a hill provides an excellent view of the
city. A steep one and a half hour climb beyond the Adhai-din-ka-jhopra
leads to the ruins of this fort, which was the site of the military
activity during the Mughal period, and 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.
Mayo College
Once described as "the Eton of the east", it is one of India's best public
schools. Located in the southeast of Ana Sagar, the institute used to
provide education to children of the royal families, but now anyone can
study here. The lake, the cenotaph and the shrine of the Hindu reformer
Swami Dayanand, founder of the Arya Samaj movement in India, can be viewed
from here.
Pushkar Lake (11km)
The Lake is situated on the edge of the desert and is surrounded by hills
on three sides, while being separated from Ajmer by 'Nag Pahar'-the snake
mountain. On this mountain the Panchkund and the cave of the saint Agastya
are located. It is believed that Kalidas-the 4th century Sanskrit poet and
playwright chose this forest hermitage as the setting for his masterpiece
Abhigyanam Shakuntalam
According to legend, the origin of Pushkar dates back to the time when
lord Brahma was in search of a tranquil land to perform a Yagna. A lotus
fell from the hands of the lord into this valley. A lake sprang up at this
spot and was dedicated to him. A Brahma temple located here is a popular
place of pilgrimage. On the full moon of Kartik (around Nov) pilgrims take
a holy dip in the lake.
Pushkar Fair
It is one of the most colourful fairs of India. Scores of pilgrims throng
the lake during the annual cattle fair. Besides trading of horses, camels,
cows and bulls, there are exciting camel-cart races, street theatre and a
bundle of stalls selling handicrafts. Musicians, mystics, comedians,
tourists, traders, animals and devotees all converge to Pushkar during the
fair. Clothes, household items and leather goods are up for sale during
the fair. Pushkar's bazaar is especially good for costume jewellery and
embroidered fabrics- an ideal place for picking up souvenirs.
Ana Sagar
This artificial lake was created in the 12th century by damming the River
Luni. Daulat Bagh, on the banks of the river contains a series of marble
pavilions erected in 1673 by Shahjahan. There are fine views from the
hillside beside the Daulat Bagh. At Ana Sagar jetty and paddleboats can be
hired. The lake tends to dry up if the monsoon is poor, so the city's
water supply is taken from Foy Sagar, 3 km farther up the valley.
Man Mahal
Along the banks of the Pushkar Lake is Man Mahal, the former residence of
Raja Man Singh of Amer. Presently converted to RTDC's Sarover Tourist
Bungalow it provides convenient accommodation to travellers. Adjoining the
Man Mahal is the Pushkar Palace (Kishangarh House), a heritage hotel.
Foy Sagar (5km)
A picturesque artificial lake named after the engineer, who created it
under a famine relief project.
General Information
Accommodation
Mansingh Palace is the only luxury hotel in Ajmer. Hotel Regency, Hotel
Embassy and Hotel Samrat are some mid range hotels. Aravali Holiday
resort, RTDC's Hotel Khadim and the Nagpal Tourist Hotel are the mid-range
options. King Edward Memorial Rest House and Hill Top Cottage are some
budget options.
Places to Eat
Sheesh Mahal at Mansingh palace and the Tandoor Restaurant reputedly offer
the best meals in town. Bhola Hotel and Honey Dew restaurant with its wide
variety of veg and non- veg food, Indian and Continental cuisine are
affordable places to eat.
How to get There
Air : Jaipur, 132 km, is the nearest airport.
Rail : Regular train services link Ajmer with important cities. Some important
train connections are: Gujarat Mail (Mumbai-Ajmer-Delhi Sarai Rohilla);
Jodhpur Mail (Marwar-Ajmer-Jaipur) : Delhi Express
(Ahmedabad-Ajmer-Jaipur); 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.
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.
Altitude : 486 meters
Climate : Max. Min. Summer: 38.1°C 27.7°C; Winter: 23.3 °C to 5.5°C
Clothing : Summer Light Tropical; Winter: Woollen
Best Season:: July-March
Languages : Rajasthani, Hindi, Urdu, English, Sindhi.
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 Asstt. Director, Tourist
Reception Centre Tel.:52426
At the foot of an arid 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 Chisti, more popularly known as Khwaja Sahib or
Khwaja Shareif, who came to Ajmer from Persia in 1192 AD. 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.
