Ajmer |
The strategic position of this city has been the key to its long, and rather turbulent history. Ajmer is connected to Delhi, Agra, Ahmedabad, Abu, Jodhpur, Udaipur and Jaipur, by main highways. It was a key centre of Chauhan power, along with the twin capital of Delhi. However, with Prithviraj Chauhan's defeat at the hands of Sultan Mohammed Ghori (1193), Ajmer was rendered vulnerable to many an invasion and gory battles.
Ajmer has been, for time immemorial, a great centre of pilgrimage, for both Hindus and Muslims, a feature that gives the city its character. The city is a genuine amalgam of rich Hindu and Islamic heritage. The sacred lake of Pushkar believed by Hindus, to be as old as the temple of Brahma, has been a place of pilgrimage, for ages. The great Sufi saint Khwaja Moin-ud-din-Chisti of Persia, was buried here, and his Dargah is equally sacred for the followers of Islam, as well as Hinduism.
Sightseeing
The Dargah
In the heart of the city, is the tomb of saint Khwaja Moin-ud-din-Chisti, popularly known
as Dargah Sharief. It has been, for long, a pilgrimage and spiritual centre, where
followers of every creed and faith, Muslims and non - Muslims, flock to, all through the
year. The shrine of Khwaja Moin-ud-din-Chisti, is considered to be a second Mecca/Madena,
for the Muslims of South Asia.
Shah Jahan's Mosque
This mosque is the most beautiful of all the structures, in the Dargah precinct. It is
made of white marble, delicately carved with trellis-work.
Adhai-din-ka-Jhonpra
Beyond the Dargah, among narrow and crowded lanes, is a remarkable, early Islamic
structure, the Adhai - din - ka - Jhonpra. Mohammed Ghori, with the remains of several
neighbouring temples, hurriedly put together, a mosque within two and a half days (Adhai
Din). Pillars, from at least thirty temples, must have gone into the making of this
elegant monument, a superb example of Indo-Islamic architecture.
The Museum
Emperor Akbar's royal residence, now serves as a museum, which houses an excellent
collection of Mughal and Rajput armour, and some fine sculpture.
Access
Air: Jaipur (132 km) is the nearest airport.
Rail: Regular train services connect Ajmer with important cities. Pink City, Chetak and Shatabdi Express, are the best trains for tourists from Delhi and Jaipur.
Road: A dense network of bus services operates from Ajmer to key destinations around.
Accomodation
Standard Hotels:
Hotel Mansingh Palace,
Hotel Regency,
RTDC Hotel Khadim,
Hotel Ajaymeru
Budget Hotels:
Shobraj Hotel,
Hindu Hotel,
Hotel Anand,
Hotel Malwa,
Hotel Payal,
Hotel Prithviraj,
Hotel Surya.
