Ajmer Tourism And Travel Guide

Ajmer, the city that was once the seat of the Chauhan Dynasty is roughly 700 years old. The rich history of Ajmer presents itself in breath-taking monuments and some of the most colourful and joyous festivals in India. Tourism in Ajmer is also famous for its pilgrim spots and tourists world over visit the city to experience the divinity that Ajmer offers. The echoes of the qawaalis and the lively fairs keep things exciting throughout the year. Located on the lower slopes of the Taragarh Hills, Ajmer is surrounded by the Aravalli Mountains. Cut off from the Thar Desert by the huge rocks of the range, Ajmer offers a completely different view of Rajasthan, reflected in this travel guide we have devised for your Ajmer visit.

Located almost at the centre of Rajasthan, Ajmer is quite easily accessible.

By Air:

The closest airport to Ajmer is the Jaipur International Airport located at a distance of 132 kilometres from Ajmer. This airport is well connected to all the major cities in the country with frequent flights. There are a number of transport services from the Jaipur airport to Ajmer. The newly constructed Kishangarh Airport, much closer to Ajmer will be functional by July, 2017 with daily flights to the Capital city of New Delhi and other major cities.

By Rail:

Ajmer is connected to the rest of the country via rail. It is an important junction for trains to the cities of Jodhpur, Alwar, Jaipur, Udaipur, Indore, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bangalore and even Jammu.

By Road:

The city is located on the Golden Quadrilateral National Highway 8 which connects the national capital New Delhi to the financial capital, Mumbai. This connects Ajmer to numerous cities in the country in all directions. It is also well connected to the major cities of Rajasthan by the Ajmer-Jaipur Expressway. Located at around 135 kilometres from Jaipur and at around 400 kilometres from Delhi, Ajmer has bus services from Delhi, Jaipur, Udaipur, Kota and other cities. 

Ajmer has a semi-arid climate almost throughout the year. It is quite hot during the summer months but the temperatures during the monsoon, winter and spring are quite pleasant.

The Urs festival during March and April and the Pushkar Fair during the months of October and November are a great time to be in Ajmer.

The Festive Extravagance:

The famous Urs festival is believed to mark the meeting of the Sufi Saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti with Allah; the festival is a six day event accompanied by divine renditions of qawaalis and poems at the Dargah. It is around the months of March and April. A number of tourists, locals and foreigners alike flock up to attend this extravagant festival.

The Pushkar ka Mela:

Pushkar Mela (also known the Pushkar Camel Fair) is an annual camel and livestock fair. Starting off with a camel race, the fair goes on with competitive events and stalls that sell accessories, jewelry and clothes that you will find nowhere else. The silver work is considered one of the highlights of the Mela representing designs from the old times. The Pushkar Mela allows for a short, yet unforgettable glimpse into the medieval magic of this place.

Divine Deception:

The list of temples and dargahs is as long as the queues at their gates. Ajmer finds its place as one of the important pilgrimage destinations in the world. The Brahma temple in Pushkar will let you wonder about the genius of the 14^th century architecture and the intricate silver carving will definitely take your breath away. The Dargah Sharif, comprised of a number of marble buildings is believed to be the final resting place of the Sufi Saint Chishti. It is the perfect place for some fresh air and a kind of soulful silence.

Of Historic Importance: 

The Taragarh Fort once served as the grand seat of the Chauhans from where they ruled the city of Ajmer. The artificial Ana Sagar lake was built by Arnoraja Chauhan, and is named after him. The Marble pavilions or Bardari were later built by Shahjahan. 13 kilometres of pure, serene waters expanding into the horizon with the scenic mountainous backdrop is truly a pleasant surprise. There are numerous other monuments, temples and forts that make up the city of Ajmer.

The mouth-watering kachoris and samosas served with delicious chutneys are found in all the busy lanes of Ajmer. The Halwai ki Gali is quite famous for its spicy snacks and sweets. You will be sure to find colourful aromatic biryanis that play an important part of the festival of Urs. On the whole the city serves some of the most exciting dishes, you will cherish for a long time.  

Exclusive jewelry with designs that will have you travelling back to the ancient era and colourful clothes that reflect the culture of Rajasthan are sure to catch your eye. The long bazaars and the intriguing shops will let you take home souvenirs that are truly magical.