Ajmer Sharif

In the lap of Rajasthan, Ajmer is an oasis surrounded by barren hills but having a fertile history. Raja Ajai Pal Chauhan founded it in the 7th century and his dynasty continued to rule the city until the famous romantic chivalrous heroic King Prithviraj Chauhan finally lost the city to Mohammed Ghauri. The culture and traditions of the city were strongly influenced by the rulers and still one can see find its expression in modern Ajmer. It is a popular pilgrimage centre for both Hindus and Muslims because of the 'Dargah Sharief', the tomb of the famous and kindhearted Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti.

Both Muslims and Hindus revered Chisti equally and the Urs fair held on his death anniversary attracts thousands and lakhs of pilgrims every year. This six-day long festival is quite a popular event in Ajmer. People visit Ajmer Sharif, which is held in great reverence by the devotees, as it is the place where the relics and remains of Khwaja Moin-ud-din Chishti are buried. Khwaja was Persian by birth and was the founder of Chishtia order of 'fakirs' in India. Besides the dargah, Taragarh Fort and the Adhai Din Ka Jhopra are amongst the most visited places in Ajmer.

Ajmer's Prime Attractions

Taragarh Fort The gigantic fort overlooking the city and having six entrance points houses Miran-Saheb-ki-Dargah. It is the tomb of the governor of the fort who died fighting valiantly. The fort offers excellent views of the city along with the bordering Nagpahari hills of Aravalli ranges. It has a rich history and significant archaeological importance.

Adhai-Din-Ka-Jhopra A much antiquated version of the modern mosques, this Indo-Islamic masterpiece was built in 'Adhai Din' meaning 'two and a half days'. It has a front screen wall with seven pointed arches and distinctive pillars and arched screen with ruined minarets.

Dargah Sharif' Dargah Sharif' meaning 'Holy Dargah', is the tomb of the Sufi saint Khwaja Moin-ud-din Chisti, who migrated to India from Persia and devoted his life to the help and upliftment of the poor. It is one of the most sacred Muslim shrines in India and is venerated by both Hindus and Muslims. Its massive gate has silver doors. Many Moghuls ranging from Humayun to Shah Jahan contributed to build this mosque. The actual tomb of the saint is built in marble with a gold-plated dome and is surrounded by a marble screen with a silver railing.

Ana Sagar Lake The artificial lake named after Anaji Chauhan is a popular picnic spot for the people of Ajmer. It has a 'Baradari' surrounded by beautiful parks and elegant pavilions. It was built by Shah Jahan to pass time during his long stays in Ajmer. The catchments have strong Rajasthani influence to their constructions as the locals built them.

Ajmer City Facts

Location: Situated in Rajasthan, India. Ajmer is 131 km from Jaipur and 389 km from Delhi.

Climate: Influenced by the nearby desert climate, the summers in Ajmer are hot while winters are cool. The best time to visit the place is from November to February, when the days are only mildly sunny and are pleasant while nights bit cooler.

How to Reach:

By Air: The nearest airport to Ajmer is in Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan.

By Train: Trains to Ajmer are available from all the major cities of India. The best options from Delhi are Shatabdi Express, The Pink City Express and Chetak Express.

By Road: A good network of roads connects Ajmer well to Delhi, Agra and all the major cities of Rajasthan.