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Ajmer situated in the green oasis wrapped in the barren hills has been a witness to an interesting past. The city was founded by Raja Ajai Pal Chauhan in the 7th century A.D. and continued to be a major centre of Chauhan power. When Prithviraj Chauhan lost it to Mohammed Ghauri leaving behind indelible marks of their culture and traditions on the cities history, converting it to an amalgam of various cultures and a blend of Hinduism and Islam.

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.

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.

Places to See :

Durgah in Ajmer ( Khwaja Sahib ) :
It is the landmark of Ajmer and one of the holiest of Muslim shrines in the country. It has a secular appeal and revered by people of all sect. Khwaja Moin-ud-din Chisti, a Sufi saint from Persia made this place his abode from 1192 till he died in 1236 AD. Mughal King Humayun completed the construction of the shrine. The Dargah is approached through a massive gate with silver doors built in several stages. Emperor Akbar made an annual pilgrimage to Ajmer.

Lakes in Ajmer :

Ana Sagar :
It is an artificial lake named after Anaji Chauhan. The catchments were built with the help of local populace. The 'Baradari' pavilions was built by Shah Jahan, to facilitate his long stays in Ajmer. the Baradari and the adjoining parks are the lungs of city and favourite outing spot.

Dargah Khwaja Sahib :
It is the landmark of Ajmer and one of the holiest of Muslim shrines in the country. It has a secular appeal and revered by people of all sect. Khwaja Moin-ud-din Chisti, a Sufi saint from Persia made this place his abode from 1192 till he died in 1236 AD. Mughal King Humayun completed the construction of the shrine. The Dargah is approached through a massive gate with silver doors built in several stages. Emperor Akbar made an annual pilgrimage to Ajmer.

Mughal Emperors Akbar and Shah Zahan have built mosques in the complex. The saint's tomb is in the centre of the second courtyard and the actual tomb inside is surrounded by a silver railing and partly by a marble screen. The tomb is of marble and dome is gold plated. The atmosphere inside the shrine is charged and supernatural with burning of incense and offerings of flowers mainly rose and sweets.

As you enter the Dargah courtyard, you see two massive 'degs' meaning cauldrons. Mughal Emperors Akbar and Jahangir donated these cauldrons originally but they have been replaced in the nineteenth century. The larger cauldron can contain as much as 4480 kgs of rice while the smaller one contains 2240 kgs of rice.

The shrine comes alive with activity when millions of devotees throng the shrine during Urs fair. Urs is held on the seventh lunar month according to Islamic calendar and is variable according to the solar calendar. Sufis and believer converge from all over India and abroad, as it is believed that those visiting during Urs receives special blessings of the saint.

It is compulsory that you cover your head while inside the complex so remember to carry a skullcap or a scarf. The skull-cap is on sale in the colourful market just outside the Dargah. It is also customary to make floral offerings mainly of roses, incense sticks and sweets that are locally available.

Fair & Festival in Ajmer :

URS FAIR (Twice a Year) :

An interesting ritual is the looting of kheer (milk-pudding) which is cooked in two large cauldrons called degs and distributed to the devotees as tabarruk (blessed food).

On the 6th of Rajab, after the usual mehfil and the sound of cracker-bursts accompanied by music, the Sajjada Nashin performs the ghusal of the tomb. Fatiha and Salamti are read. A poetic recitation called mushaira is arranged in which poets of all communities arrive to recite compositions dedicated to the Khwaja. The Qul (end-all) on the 6th of Rajab marks the end of the Urs.

At night, religious assemblies called mehfils are held in the mehfil-khana, a large hall meant for this purpose. These are presided over by the Sajjada Nashin of the dargah.

Qawwalis are sung and the hall is packed to capacity. There are separate places 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.

The Dargah is located at the conjunction of three bazaars. There are a number of restaurants around the Dargah where visitors can choose from a variety of dishes most of which are non-vegetarian preparations. Guest houses on the road leading to the Dargah offer accommodation that ranges from economical to luxurious. Many other guest houses are strewn across the city.

The shops in the market around the Dargah sell flowers, prayer mats, rosaries, textiles, and general merchandise as well. Ajmer is 132 kms. south-west of Jaipur and 198 kms. east of Jodhpur. It is connected by road to Jaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Udaipur and Kota. Ajmer is a railway junction on the Delhi-Ahmedabad section of the Western Railway. During the Urs, special buses ply from cities all over India carrying people to Ajmer and back.

Excursions of Ajmer :

Kishangarh :
Kishangarh is 27 Kms north east of Ajmer and was founded by Kishan Singh a Rathore Prince. In the 18th century it acclaimed fame as one of the finest schools of miniatures paintings. Though a smaller school with a much shorter duration it had a more refined style. It peaked under the patronage of Savant Singh an heir to the throne, who later became a hermit. It is said that Savant Singh modeled as Krishna while his mistress nicknamed as Bani Thani modelled for Radha. Paintings of Bani Thani are it most celebrated. The artist of this school favoured evening lights and grey skies with fine colours.

Tilonia :
Tilonia is a small town 25 kms from Kishangarh near Ajmer and 7 kms off Jaipur-Ajmer highway. Barefoot college inspires this town, which began in 1972 with the conviction that solutions to rural problems lie within the community. The College, officially known as Social Work and Research Centre, addresses problems of drinking water, girl education, health & sanitation, rural unemployment, income generation, electricity and power, as well as social awareness and the conservation of ecological systems in rural communities.

Pushkar :
For a devout Hindu Pushkar is a very important pilgrim centre, for one visit to this holy place in a lifetime is highly prescribed.

Brahma forms the great Hindu trilogy of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, each symbolising the lifecycle of birth, preservation and destruction. Brahma the creator is depicted as of four bearded heads and four hands each holding a book of Vedas (knowledge). His vehicle is the swan and his consort is Savitri.

Forts & Monuments in Ajmer :

Taragarh Fort
The giant fort stands guarding the city. It has six gates. The fort also has Miran Saheb ki Dargha who was the governor of the fort and laid down his life in an encounter. It gives a panoramic view of the city situated in Nagpahari of Aravalli ranges, this fort has immense archaeological and historical importance.

Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra
This is a masterpiece of Indo - Islamic architecture. As legend goes its was constructed in two and a-half days (Adhi-Din). It is a relic of an old mosque consisting of a quadrangle with a front screen wall of seven pointed arches. The distinct pillars and arched screen with its ruined minarets make it a splendid architectural masterpiece.

How to Reach

Air :
The nearest airport is Jaipur which is 135kms away.

Train :
Ajmer is on the Delhi-Jaipur-Marwar-Ahmedabad-Mumbai line and most trains stops at Ajmer.

Road :
It is connected with bus from all places like Jaipur, Agra, Aligarh, Abu road, Bikaner, Bharatpur, Barmer, Haridwar, Chittourgarh, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and Nagaur.

Alwar Travel Guide

150km from Jaipur and 170km from Delhi, Alwar is nestled between a cluster of small hills of the Aravali range. Perched on the most prominent of these hills is a massive ancient fort that whispers tales of the rich history of the city.

Once an ancient Rajput state, formerly known as Mewar, Alwar was nearest to the Imperial Delhi. The people of the state did not accept any external interference and daringly resisted against foreign invasions. In the 12th and 13th centuries they formed a group and raided Delhi. But finally Sultan Balban (1276-A.D.- 1287a.D.) suppressed them, bringing the area under the a Muslim rule.

In 1771 A.D. Maharaja Pratap Singh, a Kuchhwaha Rajput belonging to the clan of Jaipur's rulers, won back Alwar and founded a principality of his own. Apart from its long history, the city has a rich natural heritage with some beautiful lakes and picturesque valley thickly wooded in parts.

Some of the finest variety of birds and animals are spotted here. Alwar has one of the finest wildlife sanctuaries in Rajasthan - Sariska, which is an excellent tiger country.

Known as THE TIGER GATE of Rajasthan surrounded by Aravali hills, it has a perfect picture postcard setting and looks as if carved magnificently out of rocks. Lush green deciduous forests and lakes, dotted with architectural splendors, surround the harsh hills. The deep valleys and the thick forest cover is a haven for many species of birds and animals.

It is one of the oldest cities of the state and its prehistoric and historic sites are an archaeologists delight. Paradoxically Alwar is both the oldest and the newest of the Rajput Kingdoms of Rajasthan. On the one hand, it traces its tradition back to the kingdoms of Viratnagar that flourished here around 1500 B.C. It is also known as Matasya Desh where the pandavs. The mightly heroes the Mahabharata, spent the last year of their 13 year exile.

The city of Alwar is believed to have founded by a member of the Kachh family who hailed from Amber, but control was wrested from the Kachhwahas of Nikumbhas. The grandeur, beauty and delicacy of design of innumerable forts and palaces of the region, the tranquil lakes, stately hunting lodges, sites of archeological importance, thick forests with several of birds and animals intermingled with an equally diverse socio-cultural configuration have made this region a traveler delight.

Forts & Monuments in Alwar

Bala Qila :
Fort, which bound the people to watch its magnetic beauty, towering on a hill dominating the town, is the BALA QILA (young fort). Amazing fortifications surround the NIKUMBHA MAHAI PALACE at the top, which has graceful Bengal caned marble columns and delicate latticed balconies. The fort is 595 mts. above the city, and extends about 5 Kms from north and south and 1.6 Kms from east and west.

City Palace :
The City Palace was built in 1793 A.D. by Raja Bakhtawar Singh. It represents a intermingling of Rajput and Mughal stvles. It has graceful marble pavilions set on lotus flower bases in the central courtyard

Rani Moosi Chhatri :
This impressive centopath (chhatri) on the banks of SAGAR a beautiful lake is dedicated to Bakhtawar Singh mistress who performed sati here. The centopath reflects Indo-Islamic style of architecture. The upper portion in marble with columned pavilions and domed arches with exquisite floral tracery rests over the pillared red sand stone story.

The Museum :
The palace Museum has a wonderful collection of exhibits of the personal wealth of the Maharajas of Alwar and some rare manuscripts including an illustrated Mahabharata on a 200 -foot-long scroll, Others prize pieces here after illustrated manuscripts of GULISTAN, SHAH NAMA, and on EMPEROR Babur's life.

Tomb of Fateh Jung :
This spectacular tomb has a massive dome, which is a fine blend of Hindu and Islamic architectural styles. Fateh Jung was a minister of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan and related to the Khanzada rulers of Alwar.

Purjan Vihar (Company Garden) :
The beautiful garden was laid out during the reign of Maharaja Shiv Dan Singh built in1868 a most picturesque place locally known as Simla (the Summer House), was added to lush greenery of this garden do not give the blazing sun a chance to peep in.

Vijay Mandir Palace :
It is the royal residence of Maharaja Jai Singh built in 1918. The largely uninhabited palace is a window on the life style of the royals. Migratory' birds and waterfowls can be obsened feeding on fish in the small lake, beside the palace.


Excursion of Alwar

Siliserh Lake :
The water palace of Siliserh with a lake sur­rounded by low wooded hills, enroute to Sariska12 Kms. southwest of Alwar.The tranquil lake is nestled in the hills, the twinkling ripples of the lake cover an area of about 10.5 sq. Kms, surrounded by thick forest and magnificent cenotopaths on its embankment. A royal hunting lodge /palace was built by Maharaja Vinay Singh for his Queen Shila in 1845. It has been converted into a tourist bungalow and is an attractive spot for peaceful holiday.

Talvrakash :
Sariska-Alwar road takes to this enchanting site where pilgrims bathe in hot SULPHUR SPRINGS. Langurs (apes) stroll about and the bell of the scattered temples tinkle all day long. lt was the place of penance of Mandav Rishi.

Bhartrihari Temple :
A throbbing pilgrimage center, which revokes around the legend of King GHARATHARI who spent the closing years of his life, ancient place amidst hills.

Sariska :
This park is situated only 200 km from Delhi and 107 kms from Jaipur. Although larger than Ranthambor, it is less commercialised and has less tigers but a similar topography. It covers an area of 800 sq km in total, with a core area of approximately 500 sq km. The Northern Aravali Hills dominate the skyline with their mixture of sharp cliffs and long narrow valleys. The area was declared a sanctuary in 1955 and became a National Park in 1979.

Sariska Palace :
Set inside the Sariska Tiger Reserve this was Maharaja Jai Singh's hunting lodge it has beautiful sprawling lawns antique furniture and interesting photographs of the Royal Shikar of the 1920s. Now a heritage hotel.

Pandupol :
The metalled road commencing from the Sanctuary gate ends at this temple dedicated to LORD HUNUMAN. This backed by the delightful sight of Pandupol or Pandu gate where a cascading spring emerges from hard and compact rocks. Legend has it that the Pandava brother took refuge here during their exile.

Kankwari Fort :
Within Sariska Tiger Reserve 18 Kms from the entrance gate, lies Kankwari Fort, it is a fine example of a VANADURG or jungle fort. High inaccessible, deep in the tiger infested forest, it once was host to Prince Dara Shikoh heir to the Mughal throne held captive brother Aurangzeb.

Bhangarh :
Inside Sariska sanctuary lies the splendid mined town of Bhangarh built in 17th century by RAJA MADHO SINGH brother of RAJA MAN SINGH of Amber its medieval bazaars, the old palace. Someshwar and Gopinath Temples have some fine carvings. According to legend, the town was cursed by an evil magician and had to be abandoned. The curse is still believe.

Jain Temple, Tijara :
Ancient Jain temple dedicated to the eighth Tirthankar (great - teacher) Shri Chandra Prabhu Bhagwan can be seen here, it has elaborate carvings and paintings, exquisite pillars and arches. Situated 60 Kms on the Alwar Delhi road route, it is an important Jain pilgrimage.

How to Reach Alwar

Air :
Delhi 163kms is the nearest airport

Rail :
Good connection from prominent locations in and around the state. Some of important train connections are : Shatabdi Express (New Delhi-Alwar-Ajmer) Superfast Express (New Delhi-Alwar-Ajmer); intercity Express (Delhi Sarai Rohilla-Alwar-Jaipur); Mandore Express (DelhiSarai Rohilla-Alwar-Jodhpur)

Road :
Regular services link Alwar with key destinations in and not far off Rajasthan and Delhi.

Shopping
Jewellery and other handicraft items. A sweetment specially made of Milk Alwar Mawa is not to be missed. Market areas are Hope circus, Bajaj Bazar, Kedalganj Bazar.