Dargah of Khwaja Mu'in-ud-din Chisti (1142-1236) and
Ana Sagar Lake. Also known for the famous boarding schools
Sophia college (Girls) and Mayo college (Boys).
Ajaipal Chauhan founded Ajmer in the
seventh century. He constructed a hill fort "Ajaimeur"
or the invincible hill. It is a centre of culture and
education, the British chose Ajmer for its prestigious
Mayo College a school exclusively for Indian nobility.
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. online surveys for money
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
PLACE OF INTEREST
Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra :-A
remarkable structure, this is a masterpiece of Indo
Islamic architecture located on the outskirts of the
city. Just beyond the Dargah. As the legend goes, its
construction took two and a half days (Adhai-Din) to
complete. It was originally a Sanskrit college, built
within a temple. In 1193 A.D. Mohammad Ghauri conquered
Ajmer and converted the building into a mosque by adding
a seven arched wall in front of the pillared hall in
just two-and-a-half days (adhai-din) and hence the name.
The district pillars and arched screen with its ruined
minarets make it a splendid architectural masterpiece.
Ana Sagar Lake :-Located
towards the north of Ajmer city this beautiful lake
was built by Anaji during 1135-1150 A.D, by damming
the river Luni. Later the Mughal emperors made additional
constructions to beautify the lake. The 'Baradari',
Shah Jahan built a marble pavilion and the Daulat Bagh
gardens were laid by Jehangir.
Dargah of Kwaja Moinuddin Chishti
:- At the foot of a barren hill, is situated
India's most important Pilgrimage centre for people
from all faith. It is the splendid tomb of the Sufi
saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, more popularly known
as Khwaja Sharif. The Khwaja left for heavenly abode
in 1256 AD after a six day prayer in seclusion. These
six days are celebrated every year as the annual Urs,
which is attended by pilgrims irrespective of their
faith. The shrine is considered to be a place of wish
fulfilment for those who pray with devout and pure hearts.
It is said that Emperor Akbar sought blessings for his
son at the Dargah. The entry to the Dargah is through
the Buland Darwaza that leads to the inner courtyard.
The high gateway has beautifully carved silver doors.
In the courtyard are kept two huge cauldrons with capacity
of 2240 Kg and 4480 Kg. On special occasions, Kheer
cooked in these cauldrons is distributed among the pilgrims.
The grave of the Sufi Saint is surrounded by a silver
railing and is partially covered with a marble screen.
The daughter of Shah Jahan had built a prayer room in
the Dargah for the women devotees. The primises of the
Dargah also has the tomb of Bhishti, tomb of Saint's
daughter-Bili Hafiz Jama, tomb of Shah Jahan's daughter
Chimni Begum.
Mayo College :- One
of Indian's best public schools located in the south
east of the city. It was founded in 1875 A.D. only for
the princes. Each prince along with his entire retinue
and an English tutor had his own house in the spacious
college grounds covering 81 hectares. Now it is a public
school open to all.
Soniji Ki Nasiyan :-
Also famous as Lal Mandir, it consists of models of
human development & Jain Purans engraved in main
hall. Models of Ayodhya & the panch Kalyanak are
present in he other part of the temple. 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. Built in the year 1865 by Rai Bahadur
seth Mool Chand Soni of Ajmer. The temple consists of
two parts, the first portion is the worship area for
Jain community where idol of Lord Adinath the first
of the 24 tirthsnkars, of Jain religion is installed.
The second portion is the museum section where the five
stages (Panch Kalyanak) in the life of Lord Adinath
have been depicted in the form of statues. The 40 x
80 feet hall is exquisitely done up in pure gold, Belgium
stain glass, mineral colour paintings and stain glasswork.
Thus this two-story museum is a treat to the Soul.
Taragarh Fort :- A
steep one and half hour climb beyond the Adhai-Din-ka-Jhonpra
leads to the ruins of the Taragarh Fort perched on a
hill. One can have an excellent view of the city from
here. The fort was the site of the military activity
during the Mughal period later used as a sanatorium
by the British.
The Museum :- Once the royal residence
of Emperor Akbar, the museum houses a rich repository
of the Mughal and Rajput armor and exquisite sculptures.
FESTIVALS
'Urs Ajmer Sharif' (May - June) :- The Urs,
a celebration is held in the solemn memory of 'Kwaja
Moinuddin Chishti', a sufi saint. Several Thousand pay
obeisance at his shrine in Ajmer every year.
Forts &
Places:-
Man Mahal
TARAGARH FORT
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