South
west of Jaipur, Ajmer is an oasis wrapped in the green hills. The
city was founded by Raja Ajay Pal Chauhan in the 7th Century A.D.
and continued to be a major centre of the Chauhan power till 1193
A.D. When Prithviraj Chauhan lost it to Mohammed Ghauri. Since then,
Ajmer became home to many dynasties.
Today, Ajmer is a
popular pilgrimage centre for the Hindus as well as Muslims.
Especially famous is the Dargah Sharif-tomb of the Sufi saint Khwaja
Moinuddin Chisti, which is equally revered by the Hindus and
Muslims. It is a centre of culture and education, the British chose
Ajmer for its prestigious Mayo College a school exclusively for
Indian nobility
Ajmer is also the base for visiting Pushkar
(11 km.), the abode of Lord Brahma, lying to its west with a temple
and a picturesque lake. The Pushkar Lake is a sacred spot for
Hindus. During the month of Kartik (Oct./Nov.), devotes throng in
large numbers here to take a dip in the sacred lake.
Pushkar
is also famous for its annually camel fair festivals
Main
Tourist Attractions In Ajmer : -
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.
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.
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.
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.
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