Ajmer – The Heart of Rajasthan

Ajmer the Heart of Rajasthan, Mecca of India, City of Garib Nawaz. Awarded for being the first fully literate district of Rajasthan and the second fully literate district of the country, Ajmer city, famous by many names like ‘Heart of Rajasthan’, ‘Mecca of India’ and ‘Dharm Nagari’, a confluence of communal harmony, was established by Chauhan king Ajayraj in 1113 AD, but the Ajaymeru fort was established in the 7th century by Chauhan ruler Ajaypal. After the Chauhan ruler, Pribyoran III lost to Muhammad Gauri in the second battle of Tarain (1192 AD), Muslim rule was established here and Ajmer came under Delhi Salamat.

Akbar annexed Ajmer to the Mughal Empire in 1558 AD and made it a province and made it the headquarters for the control of Rajputana and Gujarat. Sir Thomas Roe, the envoy of the ruler of England, James I, came to Ajmer on 22 December 1615 to seek permission from Mughal emperor Jahangir to do business in India. He met Jahangir at Akbar’s fort (Magazine) on 10 January 1616 and obtained permission for the East India Company to do business in India. The last war of succession was won by Aurangzeb at Daurai near Ajmer.

During British rule, the Ajmer Merwara region was a central commissioner province directly under British rule. During British rule, the office of AGG (Agent to Governor General) was first established in Ajmer in 1832 AD, which was later transferred to Mount Abu in 1857 AD. Ajmer City, the district headquarters of Ajmer district, has been the workplace of many great personalities. It has been the workplace of freedom fighters Arjun Lal Sethi and Haribhau Upadhyay, who sacrificed everything in the struggle to get freedom from British rule. Seth Damodardas Rathi, who generously provided financial assistance to the revolutionaries fighting in the freedom struggle, Pushkar Mela, was also from Beawar (Ajmer). Swami Dayanand Saraswati, the great ascetic and founder of Arya Samaj and author of Satyarth Prakash, also spent some time in Ajmer and wrote it. Swamiji’s Samadhi is also located here.

The background of the Right to Information Act was prepared in Beawar city of Ajmer district, when Magsaysay Award winner and famous social worker Mrs. Arunaray started a movement in Beawar on 6 April 1995 to make the Right to Information Act and establishing accountability and transparent administration. Due to these efforts, the Right to Information was implemented in the state in the year 2000.

After independence, till 1956, it was a ‘C’ category state. Shri Haribhau Upadhyay was the first and only Chief Minister here. In 1956, Ajmer was merged into Rajasthan. It became the 26th district of Rajasthan and the Ajmer division was formed. Public Service Commission, Rajasthan Board of Secondary Education, and Revenue Board were established here. Ajmer Development Authority was formed on 14 September 2013.

• Ajmer City has been included in the National Heritage City Development and Promotion Scheme.
• Area: 8481 sq km. The northern border of Ajmer district located in the middle of Rajasthan touches Nagaur and Jaipur, the eastern border touches Tonk, the southern border touches Bhilwara and Rajsamand and the western border touches Pali district.
• The origin of the most important river of western Rajasthan ‘Luni River’ is the Nag Hills of Ajmer district.
• Major fairs and festivals Place Pushkar – Kalpvriksh Fair, Urs of Khwaja Saheb Mangaliyawas Ajmer Fair Day Kartik Shukla Ekadashi to Purnima. A cattle fair is also held here. Hariyali Amavasya of Shravan month is from 1st to 6th of Rajab month.

Brahma Temple

The world-famous Brahma Temple is located in Pushkar (Ajmer). This is the only temple of world famous Brahma built in the 14th century, where worship is done properly. It has a four-faced idol of the creator of this world/the father of the universe, Brahmaji. Gayatri (on the left) is seated with Brahmaji and Savitri is seated on the right. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) department declared it a monument of national importance on March 4, 2005.

Ranganath Temple

A magnificent temple built in Dravidian style in Pushkar, which is a Vishnu temple. Famous for its gopuram structure, Ranganath Temple was built by Seth Puranmal in 1844 AD.

Savitri Temple

A temple of Brahmaji’s wife Savitri is situated on Ratnagiri mountain to the south of Pushkar. A fair is held here on Bhadwa Shukla Saptami. There is also a statue of Goddess Savitri’s daughter Saraswati Maa here.

Red Temple

Its construction was started in 1864 by the late Seth Moolchand Ji Soni. It was built in 1865 by his son late Seth It was completed during the time of Tikamchand Soni. This is a famous temple of the Jain community. The idol of the first Jain Tirthankar Adinath Bhagwan and the composition of Samavasarana are worth seeing. The goldwork in the Swarn Nagari Hall is very beautiful. It is also called ‘Siddhkut Chaityalay’. The place of Baba Ramdev, famous as the second Ramdevra, is located on the Ajmer Nagaur border, which

Kapalpeeth Dadhimati

This temple of the goddess is very huge. This Bhagwati is the most worshipped goddess of Dadhich Brahmins. Chhatris of saints of Digambar Jain sect located to the north of Ana Sagar Lake in Ajmer (in present-day Vaishali Nagar). Most of the chhatris have inscriptions and Padukas engraved on them.

Chhatris of Auteda

This temple located in Kishangarh (Ajmer) has the form of Radha Krishna. The idol of Krishna is of Ghanshyam Vanam made of eight metals. The service of the Lord in the temple is done according to the Nimbarka method. Dolotsav is celebrated here on the second day of Holi.

Rama Baikunth Temple

The Rama Baikunth Temple located in the eastern part of Pushkar Lake is a huge temple of the Ramanuja sect. Built in 1920 in the Southern architectural style, this temple is the largest temple of Pushkar.

Laghu Pushkar Dhaneshwar (Dhani-Bhata)

Dhaneshwar, located at the end of the confluence of Khari and Mansi rivers near Sampla town in Ajmer, can be called Laghu Pushkar.

Some other Temples to visit in Ajmer

• Ramdevra Than
• Khoda Ganesh Ganapati temple is located near Kishangarh.
• Shri Masaniya Bhairavdham
• Rajgarh, Ajmer
• Gayatri Temple
• Varah Temple, Pushkar
• Soni Ji Nasiyan
• Nareli
• Kachariya Temple and Navgrah Temple
• Salemabad

Sightseeing places to visit in Ajmer

Tomb (Sixteen Pillars): This tomb with three domes is built on 16 pillars. This tomb located in Ajmer city was built by Sheikh Allauddin in Hijri year 1070 (AD 1692).

• Kos Minar: Influenced by the postal post system established by Afghan king Sher Shah Suri (AD 1540-45), Emperor Akbar built ‘Kos Minar’ (octagonal structure made of brick and lime) as milestones at every kos (3.2 km) on the way from Jaipur to Agra.
• Bhikaji’s step well: This step well located 18 km from Ajmer on Ajmer-Jaipur road has an inscription of Hijri Samvat 1024 (AD 1646) engraved on it.

• Taragarh (Ajmer Fort): Ajmer Fort (Garh Beetli) was built on Beetli hill by Chauhan ruler Ajaypal in the 7th century. Here is the dargah of Miran Sahab. The fort has nine doors and 14 turrets. The last door is Taragarh Gate.

• Akbar’s Fort (Magazine Daulatkhana): This fort was built by Akbar around 1570 AD in honour of Khwaja Muinuddin Chishti and was the centre of political activities during the Mughal period as well as the British period. This fort was used to conduct and control military campaigns in Rajasthan and Gujarat. During the British period, it was made an armory and later its central part was made the Rajputana Museum. It was also known as Akbar’s Daulatkhana.

The Mughal emperor often stayed here during his Ajmer visit. This fort is the only fort in the state built in Muslim style. This fort, which is square in horizontal plan, has four huge turrets on the four corners. It has a grand and huge entrance gate in the west and a spectator room in the central part. During the British period, on October 19, 1908, on the instructions of Lord Curzon, Sir John Marshall established a state museum here. State archaeologist Gaurishankar Hirachand Ojha was made its first superintendent.

During Jahangir’s time, the public’s grievances were heard here. The plan for the battle of Haldighati was made in this Daulatkhana in February 1576 and in January 1615, Prince Khurram was welcomed here because he had convinced Mewar Maharana Amar Singh for a treaty. The ambassador of the Emperor of England, Sir Thomas Roe, also met Jahangir here on January 10, 1616 and presented his introduction letter and obtained the decree for permission for trade in India for the East India Company, which gradually established English rule over the entire country after about 150 years and ruled here for about 200 years.

• Kehrigarh Fort: This fort located near Kishangarh’s Gundolav pond has now been made a heritage hotel. The inner part of this fort is called

• Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra: Originally a Sanskrit school built by the first Chauhan emperor Bisaldev (Vigraharaj IV), it was converted into a hut (a mosque) by Shahabuddin Muhammad Ghori’s commander Qutubuddin Aibak around 1199. Since then it is known by this name. At the same time, Aibak also built the Quwwal-ul-Islam mosque in the Qutub Minar complex in Delhi.

• Ana Sagar Lake: The memorial of Chauhan emperor Prithviraj III on Taragarh Hill was dedicated to the nation on January 13, 1996. The lake was built by Prithviraj’s grandfather Anaji (Arnoraj) in 1137 (between 1135-50 according to NCERT class 8). It is fed by the water of the Bandi river. Daulat Bagh (Subhash Udyan) was built here by Emperor Jahangir (between 1605-28) and a marble pavilion was built by Emperor Shah Jahan in 1627 AD (1637 AD according to Archaeological Survey of India). It has 5 marble pavilions and a Hamam (Royal Bath). The third pavilion is the largest which is a replica of the Diwan-e-Khas of Delhi’s Red Fort. In the same complex, there is a building called ‘Saheli Bazaar’ near Daulat Bagh. There is a temple of Hanuman ji on Bajranggarh hill near Daulat Bagh.

• The tomb of the horse: A town located 26 km from Ajmer where there is a pair of kalpvriddhas, about which it is known that every year is completed here. The tomb of the horse located in the premises of Hazrat Moran Saheb’s dargah at Taragarh in Ajmer is only in Ajmer in the whole of India. This horse was the most loved horse of Hazrat Maurya Saheb.
• Abdul Khan’s Tomb: This tomb, located at a distance of 100 km from Ajmer Railway Station, was built in 1710 AD. It is also known as the tomb of Miyan Khan. It was built by Hussain Ali Khan, the minister and son of Mughal emperor Farrukhsiyar. Abdullah Khan Bibi’s tomb is located in front of this tomb.

Panchkund: Built in 1891-92 by the Engineer’s team under famine relief works. It has a tank. Its excess water goes to the sea through the Bandi river. A mythological place located near Pushkar where it is believed that the Pandavas stayed during their exile. Panchkund ‘Krishna Sanctuary’

• Phool Sagar Bir Talao: Phool Sagar and pond in Ajmer were built in 1872 by the then Commissioner of Ajmer-Merpada State, Colonel Dickman.

Badshahi Haveli: A mansion built in the shape of a bower on the orders of Emperor Akbar in Ajmer. Along with it, the first gate (Akbar Mahal) is of the same type as the magazine (Akbar’s fort).

• Delhi Gate: Mughal Emperor Akbar built the boundary wall of Ajmer city. It has five gates Delhi Gate, Agra Gate, Madar Gate, Cursori Gate and Tripolia Gate.

Happy Paley

This pleasant place in Ajmer is surrounded by hills on all sides and has a beautiful waterfall which looks very beautiful.

Pitambar Ki Gaal

8 km from Kishangarh (Ajmer). A beautiful tourist place located where apart from Shiva temple, there is a natural waterfall and a picturesque lake. About 20 km from Pushkar and 35 km from Ajmer. Ancient Vaijnath situated in the lap of a hill is the most pleasing tourist place among the tourist places of Pushkar.

Diggi Talab: Diggi Talab situated at the foot of Ajaymeru hills in Ajmer city is a natural water source. This garden was inaugurated on 27 April, 2005 in the Military School campus of Ajmer. This garden describes the heroic tales of the soldiers who died for the protection of the country and illustrated information of all the Paramveer Chakra winners is given.

Sarwad

• Tilonima

Mockliga

Rawli Rodgarh

• Aheda (Sarawah)

• Other places

Here is the dargah of Khwaja Fakhruddin. The fort of Sarwad, the tomb of Kalu Mir and the temple of Mathuradhish are also worth visiting. The Gopinath temple built by the Rajput ruler Gopinath Gaur is also located here.

The Bare Foot College was established here in 1972 by Shri Bunker Rai (husband of Aruna Roy). It is known as the ‘Social Work Research Center’.

This place is the refuge of the state bird Great Indian Bustard.

This is the hill station of Ajmer district. The fort built by Colonel James Todd at a place called Borwada and the ancient Protestant church built by Papdar Rosh are worth visiting. The fort of Toddgarh was also in the news due to the detention of freedom fighters. A treasure of Gupta coins has been found at this archaeological site, in which gold coins of Gupta ruler Samudragupta (Krant Parashu) and Chandragupta (II) Vikramaditya period have been found.

Dadabari (Jain worship place built in Ajmer city in memory of Jinadatta Suri).

Pushkar

A famous pilgrimage place of Hindus located 11 km to the north-west of Ajmer city. Here is the holy Pushkar lake. Which has 52 ghats. There is a grand temple of Brahmaji here. Pushkar is considered the most sacred among the 5 major pilgrimage places of Hindus. Pushkar is called Adi Tirtha and Tirtharaj. Another name of Pushkar was ‘Konkan Tirtha’. The famous mythological place Panchkund is located nearby, where the Pandavas lived in exile for some time. Rajasthan’s biggest cultural fair ‘Pushkar Mela’ is held every year from Kartik Shukla Ekadashi to Purnima in Pushkar. Kartik bath has great importance here. There is a tradition of ‘Deepdaan’ in Pushkar lake. On the banks of Pushkar lake is the grand palace Man Mahal built by Raja Man Singh of Amer, which has now been converted into Hotel Sarovar by RTDC. Santosh Bavla’s chhatri is in Pushkar (Ajmer). Near the main Pushkar there are two holy lakes named Old Pushkar and Kanishka Pushkar. In Pushkar opposite Varah Ghat is Jahangir’s palace (Badshahi Mahal). This palace was built by Mughal emperor Jahangir. Here two Baradari are built on high platform facing each other and there is a pillared platform in it. On the southern Baradari there is an inscription in Persian (1615 AD). Evidence