Location : Rajasthan
Major Attractions : Dargah Sharif, Pushkar Lake, Nasiya
Temple
Best time to Visit : October to March
About Ajmer
Situated
in the central part of Rajasthan, Ajmer is a holy city known for its Hindu
and Muslim pilgrimages. The most prominent of these, the mausoleum of Sufi
saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti is visited by thousands of devotees belonging
to all religions. The chequered history of the city witnessed the rule of
several Muslim and Rajputana dynasties over the centuries, which is aptly
visible in the culture and traditions prevalent here.
Ajmer is believed to have been founded by Raja Ajay Pal of the Chauhan clan
during the 7th century AD. Ajmer was subsequently ruled by the Chauhan's
until the 12th century when Prithviraj Chauhan lost it at the hands of
Muslim ruler Muhammad Ghori in a fierce battle. The city passed into the
hands of several dynasties during the next few centuries.
Religious Attractions at Ajmer
The Dargah Sharif
The mausoleum of Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti is one of the most
visited pilgrimage places in the state of Rajasthan. The beautiful tomb
marks the spot where once walked the saint who with his magical powers
served and cured the sufferings of people. The place is still visited by
thousands of devotees of the saint who believe that their ills could be
cured by his blessings. The complex consists of a number of huge courtyards
and beautiful mosques. Massive gates lead to the inner complex where the
tomb stands covered with a beautiful marble dome.
Pushkar Lake
Just 11 km from Ajmer in the small town of Pushkar, the famous Pushkar Lake
is a Hindu religious site. The over 500 temples located on its banks and 52
ghats
connecting these structures make Pushkar Lake vibrate with divinity and
holiness all around. The temples and other religious structures were built
over the centuries by different rulers. A dip in the holy waters of the lake
is believed to be a sure way of leading one's life towards salvation. The
world famous Pushkar cattle and camel fair is held on the banks of the lake
every year during November. The week long fair is important for both traders
as well as people who would like to get acquaint with the culture of
Rajasthan.
Nasiya Temple
The Nasiya Jain temple located at Prithviraj road is also known as the Red
Temple. The temple belonging to the Digambar sect of Jainism was built
during the year 1865 and is a double storeyed structure consisting of
several beautiful woodden structures and semi-precious stones.
Stay At
Ajmer as well as Pushkar consist of a variety of hotels suitable for all
kind of budget travellers. The hotels are provided with all the amenities
required for a comfortable hotels. Some of the best staying options at Ajmer
are Mansingh Palace, Roopan Garh Fort, Poonam Hotel, Bijay Niwas Palace
Resort, Hotel Regency and Khadim. Other hotels located at Pushkar include
Lake View Hotel, Ambika Hotel, Pushkar Palace, Navratan Palace, Oasis Hotel
and Amar Hotel besides a number of dharamshalas which provide good quality
accommodation at reasonable prices.
Getting There
By Air : Jaipur is a domestic airport, located at a
distance of just 138 km from Ajmer. Jaipur is linked with all the major
Indian cities through regular flights. From Jaipur, one can board a bus or
hire a taxi to reach Ajmer.
By Rail : Ajmer has its own railway station which
connects it with other major cities in India.
By Road : A network of well built roads connect Ajmer
with neighbouring cities in Rajasthan. State transport buses ply regularly
between Ajmer and Jaipur, Bharatpur, Delhi, Pushkar, Bikaner and Agra.
