Tourist Interest Palace Ajmer

Taragarh : Taragarhor the 'Star Fort' is situated three kilometers and a steep 1 and a half hour climb beyond the Adhai-Din-Ka-Jhonpra Mosque. As it is situated on a height, it commands a spectacular view over the city. It was built by Ajaipal Chauhan, the town's founder. The fort was the site of much military activities during Mughal times and was later used as a sanatorium by the British.

Shah Jahan Mosque : In the corner of the inner court of the Dargah, is a magnificent building in white marble with a long (30.5m) and narrow court having low arcade and delicate carvings with trelliswork it is the most marvelous of all the sanctums within the sanctuary of the Dargah.



General Tips
- You have to cover your head in certain parts of the shrine so remember to take a scarf or a cap along with you .
- Remove your shoes before entering the mosque.
- Beware of the guides hustling for donations around the Shahjahan's Mosque using standard fake donation books.

Pushkar Lake : This lake is situated at the edge of the desert and surrounded by the hills from three sides. This lake get apart from Ajmer by the snake mountain range called locally as ' Nag Parvat'.

According to the legend Pushkar was originated when lord Bhramha was looking for a peaceful place for 'Yagya'. It is said that a Lotus flower slipped from his hand and fell down on this hill, where the Pushkar Lake derived. Therefore the Bhramha temple situated here, is a famous pilgrimage for Hindus.

On this mountain, the Panchkund and the cave of the saint Agastya are located.

Nasiya Temple : Situated in the center of the town is a beautiful red Jain temple (Digambar), known as Nasiyan. This temple was built in 1865 and is also famous by the name Golden Temple, due to tis amazing and unique display. The main double storeyed hall is exceptionally beautiful with gold and silver decorations. Within the temple there is a splendid display of wooden gilt representations, glass engravings and paintings describing the Jain faith about the creation of the world.

General Tips: Remove your shoes before entering the Temple.

Mayo College : It is a school that was designed to make British gentlemen out of Indian princes. Years after its first student, Maharaja Mangal Singh of Alwar, rode into the campus on an elephant in 1875, Mayo College in Ajmer still retains the quality to attract the crème de la crème of India. Today however, the school is not looking for princes to turn into Englishmen. It seeks to impart excellence in academics as well as sports to boys with potential.

Man Mahal : Along the banks of the Pushkar Lake is the former residence of Raja Man Singh of Amer, Man Mahal. Presently it is converted to RTDC Sarover Tourist Bungalow ensuring convenient accommodation to travellers. Pushkar palace ( Kishangarh House) adjoining it is a heritage hotel.

 

Foy Sagar : Foy Sagar is a picturesque artificial lake named after the engineer for who created it under a famine relief project.

 

Dargah Sharif : Situated at the foot of a hill and in the old part of town, this is one of the most important places in india for muslim pilgrims. The Dargah is the tomb of a Suffi saint, Khwaja Muin-ud-din Chishti, who came to Ajmer from Persia in 1192 and died here in 1236. Construction of this shrine was completed by Humayun and the gate was added by the Nizam of Hyderabad. Akhbar used to make the pilgrimage to the Dargah from Agra once a year.

As you enter the courtyard, the mosque, constructed by Akhbar, is on the right. The enormous cauldrons are for offerings that are customarily shared by families involved in the shrine's upkeep. In the inner court there is another mosque built by Shah Jahan. Constructed of white marble, it has 11 arches and a Persian inscription running the full length of the building.

The saint's tomb is in the center of the second court. It has a marble dome and actual tomb inside is surrounded by a silver platform. The horse shoes nail to the shrine doors are offerings from successful horse dealers.

This shrine is a hive of activity and you can really get a sense of how deeply significant it is to the Muslim people. The tomb attracts tens of thousands of pilgrims every year on the anniversary of the Saint's death The Urs.

General Tips:
You have to cover your head in certain parts of the shrine so remember to take a scarf or a cap along with you . Remove your shoes before entering the mosque. Beware of the guides hustling for donations around the Dargah using standard fake donation books.

Ana Sagar Lake : This artificial lake was created by damming the river Luni.On its bank are the fine parks, the Dault Bagh and Subhash Bagh, with a series of marble pavilions that were erected in 1637 by Emperor Shah Jahan. There is an island in the center of the lake which is accessible by boats or water scooter. Boats and water scooters could be hired from the east side of the Dault Bagh. It is a famous place for evening stroll.

Time : 10 AM - 4:30 PM (Saturday-Thursday).

Akbar Palace : Back in the city, near the railway station, this fort was built by Akbar in 1570 and today houses the Ajmer Museum. Exhibits in limited collection of this museum include old weapons , miniature paintings, ancient rock inscriptions and stone sculptures that date back to the 8 th century AD.

 

Adhai Din Ka Jhonpda : Beyond the Dargah, on the outskirts of town, are the ruins of Adhai-Din-Ka-Jhonpra mosque. According to legend its construction, in 1153, took just 2 and a 1/2 days. (Adhai-Din-Ka-Jhonpra means '2 and a 1/2 day building'). Others believe it was named after a festival that lasted for 2 and a 1/2 days . It was originally built as a Sanskrit college , but in 1198 Mohammed of Ghori took Ajmer and converted the building into a mosque by adding a seven-arched wall covered with Islamic calligraphy in front of the pillared hall.