Ajmer, Rajasthan: The City by the Invincible Hill

Founded in 1100 AD by Aijpal Chauhan, Ajmer is perhaps the most important Islamic pilgrimage site in India. Ajmer derives its name from ‘Ajaya Meru’ (literally translated as the invincible hill), the hill which towers over the city. Located 138 kms away from Jaipur, Ajmer has historically been the most strategically important city of the region. Once the twin capital of the Chauhans (along with Delhi), after the defeat of Prithviraj Chauhan at the hands of the Mohammed Ghauri, Ajmer was ruled by the Sultanate of Delhi. It was during the times of the Delhi Sultanate that the Sufi Saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti, the patron Saint of Ajmer who is buried here, arrived in the region.

Ajmer came under the rule of the Mughals in the medieval times. Ajmer was also the city where the first contact between the British and Mughals took place when Jahangir met Sir Thomas Roe in 1616. Following the decline of the Mughal Empire, the Scinidias of Gwalior gained control over Ajmer which was then passed to the British. Note that Ajmer is not only deemed a holy city in Islam; Pushkar near Ajmer which houses a temple dedicated to Lord Brahma is considered to be one of the earliest Hindu pilgrimage sites.

PLACES to VISIT in Ajmer

• Most important place in Ajmer is the Dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti where the saint was buried. The revered durgah is thronged by visitors from all over India. The durgah also houses the tomb of the saint’s daughter Bili Hafiz Jama and the tomb of Shah Jahan’s daughter Chimni Begum. The entrance to the durgah is via the Buland Darwaza (literally translated as strong door), a massive gateway featuring silver carvings and doorways.
• Equally revered is the settlement of Pushkar (located a mere 12 kms away) and the Pushkar Lake by which the town is situated. Pushkar’s significance in Hinduism; stems from the fact that it houses one of the few Brahma temples in the world.
• Some of the other important tourist places in Ajmer are as follows:

• Adhai-din-ka-Jhonpra and Taragarh (the ruins of a once Sanskrit college turned mosque)
• Akbar’s Palace (an imposing structure created by Akbar which now houses a museum)
• Nasiyan (Red) Temple (a somewhat recent yet significant Jain temple)
• Dault Bagh (a garden containing marble pavilions erected in 1637 by Shah Jahan).

Ajmer Pilgrim- TRAVEL TIPS

• Languages: Hindi and Urdu are widely spoken, and as such communication should not be a problem.
• Cuisine: Due to the mixed religious influence, Indian cuisine catering to all tastes and stomachs is readily available in Ajmer.
• Ajmer is strategically located and the most prominent heritage landmarks of the region are at best a few hours’ drive. Pushkar tours and Ajmer tours and combined Ajmer Pushkar tours are offered by many tour operators.

BEST TIME to visit Ajmer

Though, Ajmer can be visited any time of the year, the summers here can be as scorching as hell. The winters are rather better but temperatures here sometimes drop to near zero. Consequently, it is believed that the best time to visit Ajmer is between the months of October and March. Find Travel Agents suiting your travel on Tripraja.com

BEST WAY to reach Ajmer

• By Air: Jaipur, one of India’s most prominent international airports, is the nearest airport and is located 138 kms away.
• By Rail: Ajmer is one of the region’s more important railway stations, and is well connected to almost all major cities in the region.
• By Road: Ajmer is well connected to all the important cities in the region. Buses are plenty from all towns/cities in the region.

ACCOMMODATION

Hotels, inspection bungalows, private cottages, etc. are available to suit all budgets. Ajmer abounds in family holiday bungalows. One can obtain excellent discounts on accommodation via Rajasthan tour packages.