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Ajmer
 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.
For those who wish to observe a pilgrimage center
in India, they should travel to Ajmer Rajasthan. Situated on the
way to Pushkar, Ajmer houses the tomb of the 13th century Sufi
saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti, which is uniformly valued by the
Hindus and Muslims. The once a year Urs at the Dargah of
Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti is held on a impressive scale and attracts
pilgrims from all over the world irrespective of their caste and faith.
A visit to Rajasthan would showcase within its domain a travel tour to
Ajmer, situated in Rajasthan, North India, which is standard and
comfortable in nature and form. A visit to Rajasthan, coupled with an
assistant travel tour to Ajmer, situated in Rajasthan, North India, are
two resources of travel information to be collected about Ajmer,
Rajasthan, North India. A visit to Ajmer, situated in Rajasthan, North
India, is a skillful reminder of the information that Ajmer is a
existing example of secularism and passive co existence, with the dargah
of Khwaja Moinuddin chisti at Ajmer along with the pilgrimage at
Pushkar, and the Brahma temple in the near surrounding area, to be the
worshippers point of the both the Hindus and Muslims. Tour to Ajmer,
Rajasthan, North India, would showcase a combination of the Mughal and
Rajputani style of structural design. Anasagar Lake serves as an
ideal picnic and holidaying spot for the tourists and the local
population similar.
Shopping in Ajmer Rajasthan is a pleasurable experience. Ajmer is known
for antiques, ornaments, charming gold and silver jewelry in modern
designs, bandhini (colorful tie-and-dye sarees) and
overstated jodhpuri 'Jutis' (shoes). Ittar, a special form
of local scent is sold in small and large packs all over Ajmer Rajasthan
and is a specialty that one can take home from Ajmer Rajasthan. The
yearly Urs Fair is the time one can buy the colorful formations of
traditional folk artisans of Ajmer. Colorful clothes and products from
Tilonia village and small paintings from Kishangarh and a range
of wood crafted products are available throughout the festival. Ajmer is
a famous pilgrimage spiritual tourist attraction in the state of
Rajasthan. Ajmer provides as the base for most of the long distance
journeys to Pushkar, which holds a yearly spiritual festival.
Ajaipal Chauhan founded Ajmer in the seventh century. He constructed a hill fort "Ajaimeur" or the invincible hill. The Chauhans ruled Ajmer till the 12th century when Prithviraj Chauhan lost Mohammed
Ghauri. Thereafter it became a part of the sultanate of Delhi. Ajmer was also favourite residence for the great Mughals. One of the first contacts between the Mughal King Jahangir and Sir Thomas Roe took place here in 1616. The
Scindias took over the city in 1818 and then handed it over to the British and it became one of the only part of Rajasthan controlled directly by the East Indian Co.
The bus stand in Ajmer is located near the RTDC hotel Khadim. And the railway is further north and most of the hotels are west of the stations. Northeast is the main post office and most of the cities market is located behind and up to Agra Gate. Further north is a large artificial lake called the Anna Sagar.
PRIME ATTRACTION
TEMPLES
 Ajmer-e-Sharief Dargah
At the foot of a barren hill, is situated India's most important pilgrimage center for people from all faiths. It is the splendid tomb of the Sufi saint Khawaja Moinuddin Chisti more popularly known as Khawaja Saheb or Khawaja Sharif. The shrine is next only to Mecca or Median for the Muslims of South Asia. Emperor Akbar used to make a pilgrimage to this Dargah
from Agra once a year. Adhai-Din-Ka Jhonpara - One of the finest examples of Indo-Islamic architecture, this mosque was a Sanskrit college in the 12th century. In 1193 AD Mohammad Ghori destroyed the college and a mosque was built in its place. The mosque is built on pillars and surprisingly no two pillars are alike. The archways are finely engraved with Kufi and Jughra inscriptions from the Holy Quran (also spelt as Koran).
Nasiyan (Jain Temple) - This red coloured Jain temple was built in the late 19th century. The wooden gilt in the double storeyed hall depicts scenes from the Jain mythology. The beauty of this temple is widely acclaimed.
MUSEUMS
Govt. Museum
The Royal palace of Akbar was converted into a museum and today it houses a rich collection of Mughal and Rajput armoury.
Some of the fine and delicate sculptures of the region have been
displayed here. The building itself has been constructed of red
sandstone, which have been laid down in a square pattern giving it a
fabulous look.
LAKES
Ana Sagar Lake
This lake was built by Anaji during 1135-1150 AD. Later the Mughal Emperors made additional constructions to beautify the lake. The 'Baradari', a marble pavilion was built by Shah Jahan and the Daulat Bagh Gardens were laid by Jehangir. This lake is located towards the north of Ajmer city. more...
FORTS
Taragarh Fort
Built in the 7th century by Ajaipal Chauhan, the fort gives a bird's eye view of the city. Taragarh Fort or the 'Star fort' is situated on a hill and to reach there, one has to take winding bridle path. { Book Fort Tours }
OTHERS
Mayo College
One of the India's best public schools, located in the south-east of the Ana Sagar, has now been converted to the Circuit House. The lake and the cenotaph and the shrine of the Hindu reformer Swami Dayanand, founder of the "Arya Samaj Movement" in India, can be viewed from here.
CITIES
 Pushkar
The sister city of Ajmer, Pushkar is just 11-km away from the city. The road to Pushkar passes through the Nag Pahar or the Snake Mountain.
Pushkar is an ancient city and has seen history being made since the Ramayana period. The account of this city can be found in the 4th century writings of the Chinese traveller-- Fa-Hien and also in the scripts written during the era of Muslim invasions. The city is considered by Hindus to be one of the most sacred places in India and has, perhaps, the only existing temple in Asia, dedicated to Lord Brahma. Life in the city is very much related to the Pushkar Lake. Mythology says that this ancient lake was formed when a lotus flower fell in the valley, from the hands Brahma.
The 52 bathing ghats that surround the lake are believed to have special powers e.g. 'Naga Kund'
for fertility, 'Roop Tirth' for beauty and 'Kapil Vyapi Kund'
for curing Leprosy.
The famous Pushkar fair is held every year on the Kartik Purnima day. This fair is famous as a bazaar for the animals particularly the camels. But the folk dancers and the folk musicians add traditional colour
in the fair, which gives a new leash of life to the town.
Mangliyawas
This town is famous for two 800 years old trees of a rare species-
ADANSONIA DIGITATA LINN
Popularly known as 'Kalpa-Vriksha'. People visit this place through out the year but on dark moon day of 'Sravana' (also spelt as Shravana) thousands of people come to worship the trees. The town is 26-km from Ajmer.
Beawar
This town is located 54-km from Ajmer and is famous for the Badshahi procession festival held on the next day of Holi. On this occasion, people participate in large numbers and throw 'Gulal'
on each other.
LAKES
Foy Sagar
This artificial lake was built during a famine relief programme. Named after the engineer responsible for its construction, the picturesque lake is 5-km from Ajmer.
Kishan Garh
On the road to Jaipur, 27-km from Ajmer is located this medieval treasure house of art. This place had one of the finest schools for miniature paintings during 18th century. This town of artists is also famous for Gundelao Lake, Phool Mahal Palace, Temple of Sri Kalyan Raiji and the Majhala Palace
Transportation
By
Air : Nearest Airport Jaipur is Jaipur (138 kms).
By Rail: Ajmer is connected by rail to Delhi, Agra, Ahmedabad, Barmer, Bharatpur, Bikaner, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Mount Abu and to Bombay Via Ahmedabad.
By Road: Ajmer is well connected by road with Agra (370 km), Bharatpur (312 km), Bikaner (234 km), Bundi (139 km), Chittaurgarh (182 km), Delhi (444 km), Jaipur (138 km), Jaisalmer (458 km), Jodhpur (205 km), Kota (178 km), Mount Abu (371 km) and Udaipur (269 km). Rajasthan State Trans. Corpn. Buses connect Ajmer with the above places.
PLACES TO STAY
The RTDC has done a lot to retain the traditional flavour in its hotels in and around Ajmer. Hotels like RTDC's Khadim, come with AC Deluxe rooms as well as ordinary rooms, which give a comfortable stay in the city. There are also Sarai facilities for the pilgrims. The government sponsored paying guest scheme makes the visitor feel at home.
SHOPPING
Ajmer presents items, which carry the Rajasthani fervour and reflect ancient mood of the area. One can purchase here amazing old silver jewellery with designs of a totally different era. The annual Urs gives an opportunity to bargain some of the intriguing and colourful items of the region.
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