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.
