Destination Features

Located 132 km south-west of Jaipur, Ajmer is one of the holiest cities of India. The Dargah of Khawaja Moinuddin Chisti, the founder of the Chisti order in India is located here. Ajmer was founded in by Raja Ajay Pal Chauhan in the 7th Century A.D. and continued to be a major centre of the Chauhan power till the 12th century. Thereafter it became a part of the sultanate of Delhi and thence of the Mughal Empire and the British. The Mughal Emperor Akbar used to make a pilgrimage to the Dargah by walking down all the way from Delhi to Ajmer.

Getting there:  Ajmer is 132 km south-west of Jaipur and 198 km east of Jodhpur. It is connected by road to Bikaner (233kms), Jaisalmer( 490 kms), Udaipur, Kota Delhi( 392 kms) &  Ahmedabad(526 kms).

• The Dargah:  An important pilgrimage center for people of all faiths, the mausoleum of the Sufi saint Khawaja Moinuddin Chisti is a splendid marble dome located in the centre of the second courtyard and surrounded by a silver platform. While the tomb is of marble and dome is gold plated. The entry to the mausoleum is through a gigantic gate, which was built by the Nizam of Hyderabad. Two large cauldrons (degs) donated by Akbar are used to cook rice during the Urs. The preparation called Tabarruk is then distributed amongst the destitute. The Langar Khana is located on the northern side of the mausoleum. There is also the Mehfil Khana or the main hall of the Dargah where Qawwalis are sung throughout the year. During the Urs, Mehfil Khana  mehfils are held in the Mehfil Khana. Separate places are reserved for women who attend the mehfil. The mehfil terminates late in the night with a mass prayer for the eternal peace of the Khwaja in particular and mankind in general. There are also two mosques – the Akbari Mosque and the Shahjahan Mosque located in the courtyard of the Dargah.  It is compulsory to cover your head while inside the complex and to make floral offerings mainly of roses, incense sticks and sweets called nazrana at the spot where the saint has been entombed.  Votive offerings like the chadar, ghilaph and neema can also be made.The shrine attracts thousands of pilgrims during the annual Urs- the death anniversary of the Saint, held from the 1st to 6th day of the Islamic month of Rajab. The festival comes to an end with the culmination of the first “QUL” on the 6th Rajab and the second “QUL” on 9th Rajab .A colourful fair is also held during this period.
•  Adhai-din-ka-jhonpra:  Originally a Sanskrit college, it was converted to a mosque by Mohamed Ghauri when he took over the city. The construction of the mosque- adding a seven arched wall in front of the pillared hall, took two and half days and hence the name. These pillars display distinctive Hindu and Jain decorations as they were taken  by breaking down the temples as was the norm then. . The mosque is located on the outskirts, of the city, just beyond the Dargah.
• Taragarh Fort: The Taragarh Fort lies beyond the Adhai-din-ka-jhopra and it takes a steep one and a half hour climb to reach it. Now in ruins, the fort provides an excellent view of the city. 
•  Ana Sagar:  An artificial lake named after Anaji Chauhan, the 'Baradari' pavilions were built by Shah Jahan, to facilitate his long stays in Ajmer while the catchments were built with the help of local populace. The Lake is now a favorite picnic spot. Boating facilities are also available. Time : 10 AM - 4:30 PM (Saturday-Thursday).
•  Nasiyan Temple: This Digambar Jain temple dedicated to Adinath has a series of large gold plated wooden figures depicting legends from Jain mythology. The main highlight of the temple is its double- storey hall which is richly adorned by glass mosaic, precious stones, gold and silver work. The Nasiyan temple is open to visitors from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 
•  Other places of Interest: Sai Baba Temple, Buddhist Math, Swami Dayanand Smarak (Rishi Udyan) Bhakti Dham,  Nimbark Peeth,Mayo College, the Museum  etc.

 Shop: For Antiques, curios, gold and silver jewelry, colorful tie-and-dye sarees and embroidered Jodhpuri ‘Jootis’.

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Kishangarh: 27 Kms north east of Ajmer famous for its unique miniatures paintings known as the Bani Thani Paintings. The uniqueness of these paintings is the evening lights and the grey skies.

Pushkar: 14 kms from Ajmer, known for its temples, lake and of course the fair.