Know The City
The very utterance of the word Ajmer inspires awe in the Muslims. And the reason is quiet obvious - the esteemed Dargah of Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti (r.a.) that lies here. But be clear it's not the sole site that ropes in tourists. Almost all over the place are scattered bits of history that, if you can piece together, might turn out to be a worthy experience. The city claims a position in the heart of the Thar Desert and was set up by Ajaipal Chauhan in the 7th century. Previously known as Ajaimeru, the city sets forth a fascinating blend of Sufi culture and Hindu religion. The town remains ringed by the Aravalli Hills in the state of Rajasthan and is 131 km west of Jaipur.


Go There For
Several forts, palaces and temples dot the landscape of this desert city. The city being the final resting place of the great saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti (r.a.) sees a great number of pilgrims and devotees during the Urs Festival. People from all over the country and the world, breaking all the barriers of cast and creed, arrive at the Dargah to seek blessings from the sufi saint and to offer their tributes to him. The next structure to visit here is the Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra. What's interesting about this Indo Islamic edifice is the fact that it was erected in two and a half days time alone. The Taragarh Fort is also a worth visiting site. Akbar's Palace is a brilliant example of the Mughal architectural opulence. The palace houses a museum that lets you have a look at numerous artifacts from the past. Erected during 1135 - 1150 AD, the Ana Sagar Lake is a must visit for tourists and pilgrims here. The Edward Memorial Hall, which stands close to the railway station, makes us recollect the colonial era.

11 km away from Ajmer lies the sacred city of Pushkar. World renowned for the Only Brahma Temple, the city is held in high regard by the Hindu community. The Pushkar Lake invites devotees to cleans their souls of all impurities. Once you know that at a distance of 110 km from Ajmer is positioned a town from where marble was procured to give shape to the splendid Taj Mahal, you would definitely like to pay a visit to the place. It's the town called Makrana that is known for its super quality marble.


People & Culture
Myriad dynasties that ruled the region bequeathed Ajmer a composite culture comprising of various castes and sects. However, wherever you go you would surely notice a warm smile across people's faces and a traditional hospitality that is the hallmark of the people of the town. The languages spoken by the people include Rajasthani, Hindi, Urdu, English and Sindhi. Before India gained her independence the Rajputs were the major land holders. Today Jats majorly hold lands while traders and money lenders mostly include Jains. Mers, the aboriginal tribes also inhabit the region.

Feasting & Celebration
Ajmer, by way of its eclectic mix of cultures and religions, weaves a tapestry of festivals, pulling in hordes of travellers from all parts of the globe. The most important is the religious Urs Festival that is held once every year. The next big event is the Pushkar Fair organised during October/ November at Pushkar. Celebrations include camel races, turban tying competitions, beauty contests, cultural performances etc. Local artists, jugglers, snake charmers, puppeteers and traders gather from all around the state to create a scene that thrills vacationers for twelve days. As the fair nears its final days, the excitement becomes more and more exhilarating. The boisterous celebration continues deep into the night. Diwali and Holi are the other prominent Hindu festivals here.