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Ajmer Sightseeing |
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Taragarh Fort |
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The Taragarh Fort was built on a hilltop by Ajaipal Chauhan, the founder of the city in the 7th century and is about 3 km from the city of Ajmer. A steep climb up rewards the weary visitor with an amazing birds eye view of Ajmer. The first hill fort of India was built in 1100 by Ajayapal Chauhan. The fort gives excellent views of the town below and also known as the Star Fort. It has a thickness of four and a half meters and a winding uphill path leads to this rectangular fort. Most of the fort is now in ruins though at the time of its construction, it was supposed to be the invincible fort and so named as Ajai Meru (invincible fort). |
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Adhai-din-ka-Jhonpara |
Adhai-din-ka-Jhonpra (two-and-a-half-day shelter) is considered as the first important Islamic structure to be built in India. According to the legends, Arhai-din-ka-Jhonpra was a Sanskrit College initially and Mohammed Ghori converted the college into a mosque within two and a half days, hence the name. According to another legend, the structure is named after a festival, which carried on for two and a half days. The monument has seven arched walls with Islamic calligraphy, though most of it now remains in ruins. |
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Dargah of Garib Nawaz - Khwaja Moin-ud-din Chishti |
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Mayo College |
Still counted as one of the finest public schools in India, Mayo College was built in AD 1873. The aim of the school was to provide liberal education to the young Indian princes and wards of the colonial rulers. Today, school is open for anyone who can pay the steep fee and take admissions. |
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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 Jahangir. This lake is located towards the north of Ajmer city. |
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Nasiyan (Jain Temple) |
The Red temple on Prithviraj Marg is a Jain temple built last century and is definitely worth checking out. Its double storey hall contains a fascinating series of large, gilt wooden figures from Jain mythology which depict the Jain concept of the ancient world. 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. |
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Government Museum (Daulat Khana) |
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The Royal Palace of Akbar was converted into a Museum and today it houses a rich collection of Mughal and Rajput armoury. The Rajputana Museum as it is significantly named, has in its galleries important exhibits from almost all the princely states. 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. |
Ajmer is venerated as a holy place for both Hindus and Muslims. It has the mausoleum of the Sufi saint, Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti whose blessings are eagerly sought by pilgrims to his dargah. Known as the ‘Dargah Sharif’ the last resting place of the saint who died in 1235 lies at the foot of a barren hill. It is said that Mughal Emperor Humayun built the shrine and the Buland Darwaza, carved in silver, was built by the Nizam of Hyderabad. The tomb of Khwaja is surrounded by a silver railing and there is a separate women's praying room, said to be built by Chimni Begum - the daughter of Shahjahan. The tomb attracts hundreds of thousands of pilgrims every year on the anniversary of the saint's death.
