Ajmer and Pushkar — A Rajasthani treat recommended by AudioCompass
At the edge of the arid Thar Desert in Rajasthan lies Ajmer, a city enveloped by the Aravalli mountains. Recently recognized as a heritage city for HRIDAY (Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana) — a Government of India scheme, the city is an important destination for Hindus, Muslims and Jains alike.
Ajmer is a city that is rich in history and architecture. It was founded by King Ajaipal Chauhan way back in the 7th Century AD. In fact, did you know that the city is named after Ajai Meur, the fort built by Ajaipal Chauhan. With the AudioCompass app, you can dive deeper into the tales of the city with just a couple of clicks on your smartphone. (Android/iOS)
Some of the attractions we cover in Ajmer:
Dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti
Perhaps one of the most iconic places to visit in Ajmer, the Dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti is definitely worth spending time at. It is here that the mortal remains of the Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti is buried. He was known for his work for the welfare of the poor and has many followers to this day.
The dargah is still active, conducting certain daily rituals along with celebrating special festivals. If you partake in the daily rituals, know that the dargah offers Langar (distribution of food). It is believed that whenever Mughal emperor Akbar, who was an ardent believer in Sufi ideals, visited Ajmer; he too would stand in queue like a commoner, waiting to be served.
The monuments, courtyards, buildings and tombs within the dargah are great examples of Mughal architecture. The main gate to the shrine is the Nizam gate, followed by the Shahjahani Gate, built by the famous Mughal ruler Shah Jahan. The tombstone of Saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti is bound by a silver fence and is partly enclosed with a beautiful marble screen.
Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra and Taragarh Fort:
The Adhai Din Jhonpra is a congregational mosque that was built in 1199 A.D. It is one of the oldest mosques in India. Its beautiful screens, archways and minarets make the building one of the earliest examples of Indo — Islamic architecture. At the time, Muslims from Central Asia had just conquered parts of North India. Sultan Qutbuddin Aibak and his successor Iltutmish had the mosque built. It was built by Hindu craftsmen who had never before even seen a mosque, making for a very interesting building indeed!
When describing the Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra, Sir Alexander Cunningham (Founder of the Archaeological Survey of India) used phrases such as “In boldness of design, and grandeur of conception, in delicate sharpness of finish, and laborious accuracy of workmanship”. His choice of words give you a pretty clear idea of why this attraction must be on your list of places to visit in Rajasthan. Not far from it is the Taragarh Fort, a site with a breathtaking view of Ajmer. Be sure to make your way there too.
Mayo College
Mayo College, one of the most renowned boarding schools in India today, has a history of princely alumni. It was founded in 1875 by the Viceroy Lord Mayo for the sons of royalty. When the school gates opened it saw its first student, H.H. Maharaja Mangal Singh of Alwar arrive seated on top of an elephant along with an entourage that included 500 attendants, and a number of tigers, camels, and horses. As with all schools, the corridors of this institution whisper many anecdotes of graduating classes over the years…oh well, since walls can’t talk, you just leave the storytelling to AudioCompass.
The Nasiyan (Red) Temple
The Nasiyan Temple is an attraction that holds great significance to the Jain Community. It is divided into two sections — a shrine and a hall. The shrine is dedicated to Lord Adinath, the first of 24 Tirthankaras while the hall depicts his life story and is decorated in gold, silver and stained glass. It’s an incredible sight, which we definitely recommend.
Akbar’s Palace and Museum
Built by the Mughals, Akbar’s palace is now a government museum that houses artifacts and sculptures, inscriptions and weapons that date back to the 19th century Gupta period are also on display here.
A mere 11 kilometers from Ajmer is the quaint town of Pushkar. One of the oldest cities in India, it is a town of fairs and festivities that is known to attract both tourists and locals alike. It is most famous for its colourful camel fair that is held around October or November every year.
The city is also home to the Brahma Temple, one of the only temples in the world that is dedicated to Lord Brahma. Many Hindus consider a journey to Pushkar to be a pilgrimage for this very reason. The marble structure is decorated with silver coins and has a distinct red spire along with an image of a swan, that was considered sacred to Lord Brahma. In the inner sanctum stands a four-faced idol of Lord Brahma called the chaturmukhi.
After having your spiritual fill, you can immerse yourself with the local sights and sounds, the people dressed in colourful garb milling around stalls, or simply a wander around the market where you can buy jewellery, clothes and other souvenirs.
