Tourism in Ajmer

Ajmer lies in the North Western part of India on the foothills of the Aravalli Ranges. Once touted as a quiet town in Rajasthan; Ajmer today has evolved into a major tourist destination. Known as the as the place where famous Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti initiated Sufism and which also became his final resting place - Ajmer has attracted devotees in thousands ever since. Both Hindus and Muslims pilgrims from all over the world participate in every activity held here.

History says that it was discovered by King Raja Ajay Pal Chauhan in the 7th century and he made it an important center of commerce. The city reached it's prime under King Prthviraj Chauhan until Mohammed Ghori conquered it. Since then, Ajmer has seen several rulers and kingdoms pass through it's eyes, leaving behind a glorious past and a cultural mix which makes Ajmer indeed a splendid city. Ajmer today is considered as a window into the faith and history of Rajasthan.

Places to See in Ajmer

Nareli, is a great place to see which is run by Jain devotees. It lies on the outskirts of the city and houses a big Jain temple for pilgrims. Visit this place for a glimpse of history of Jainism in Ajmer and some authentic Jain cuisine. (There are specific timings for visiting the temple and meals, so check in few hours early to avoid rush).

Ana Sagar Lake is an artificial man-made lake in Ajmer. You can rent a boat and go for a stroll in the lake and submerge in the ambience. Surrounded by a garden known as Daulat Bagh, this picturesque location is great for relaxing, reading a book on cities history and chilling out. You can find various street food vendors selling street delicacies like papri-chaat, bhujia-chaat, papad and ice cream. There are also other Jain temples in the way to the lake which are quite beautiful. You can have a look at the ancient architecture of Rajasthan through these temples.

Ajmer Shariff Dargah, is the resting place of famous Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti and the sole reason why the city is famous world wide. The Dargah is a famous place of pilgrim for Hindus as well as Muslims. Tourist need to be careful with their belongings as the shrine is heavily crowded.

Visiting Pushkar is a must thing, which is another famous pilgrim. Each year thousands of tourist visit this enchanting town, which comes alive with all sorts of colours, music, arts and food during the annual Pushkar fair. Known for being the largest camel fair in the world, Pushkar is an instant charmer and attracts your curiosity.

Mosque of Shah Jahan, is a tremendously striking structure in Ajmer's vicinity, delicately crafted with a framework of white marble.

Ajmer Museum, which was Emperor Akbar's royal residence, is turned into a museum which houses some of the excellent collection of Rajputana and Mughal artillery and sculptures.

Eating Out in Ajmer

Ajmer is not just about religious spots, the inner lanes of the city is also home to one of the finest cuisines in the world. Some of the best places to enjoy traditional food are the roadside eateries in Dargah Bazaar. These joints specializes in mouth watering biryani. Honeydew restaurant on Station Road offers a good mix of western and Indian dishes, especially the curries.

The new part of the restaurant is fully renovated, in case you're not accustomed to the weather outside. Dhaba lovers can try Mahadev ka Dhaba situated opp. Daulat Bagh. The Sheesh Mahal restaurant in Hotel Mansigh Palace is a great place to enjoy a relaxed brunch with a lake view. Silverleaf, another famous restaurant at Hotel Embassy is known for it's appetizing vegetarian dishes. Apart from the landmarks, one can also relish on Kachoris, Kadi-Bhujje and Samose, while on the move.

Hotels in Ajmer

Hotel Mansingh Palace, a 3 star hotel with good facilities, is the best place to stay in Ajmer. Khadim Tourist Bungalow controlled by RTDC offer rooms under affordable range, located near to bus stands, it could be a good accommodation option. Hotel Pandit is another economic option to stay in Ajmer.

How to Reach Ajmer

By Train: Ajmer is well connected to almost all the major cities in India through the Indian railway network. Most tourists take Delhi as their base, since it is connects major international flights. In such a case, the Delhi-Ahmedabad Mail is the fastest option to reach there. For foreign tourists, traveling in trains could add to their great Indian experience. Through trains you can also visit other famous cities in Rajasthan like Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur and more.

By Road: Ajmer lies on NH 8 which connects it from Mumbai and Delhi. From Jaipur, Ajmer is about an hour and a half or maximum 3 hours away, falling on the Jaipur-Ajmer expressway. From Jodhpur, you need to travel 4-5 hours in the opp. direction. Apart from the government and privately owned buses, you can also take taxis to reach Ajmer. There are different travel agencies which also offer chauffeur driven taxi services and the rates are charged as per kilometers or per day basis. You can also hire them for sightseeing withing the city as well.

By Air: There aren't any airports in Ajmer and the nearest one is the Jaipur International Airport. You can also opt for the Delhi airport and take other modes of transport to reach Ajmer. Connecting flights to these two cities are also available from other major cities in India like Bengaluru, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai.

Shopping and Getting Around in Ajmer

There's a limited scope for shopaholics in Ajmer, still you can find some amazing rural and authentic Rajasthani markets. Dargah Bazaar is among the most famous places to shop and just a 15 mins walk from the railway station. Ajmer has always been famous for it's handicrafts, antique pieces, embroidered Jodhpuri Jootis, bags, clothes, artificial, junk jewelry, Ittar (perfume), Bandhini sarees and more. Some other famous places to shop at are, Station Road, Naya Bazaar, Madar Gate, Purani Mandi, Mahila Mandi, Kaisarganj and Nala Bazaar.

Explore all the markets here.

Tourists can opt for strolling these markets on foot, on cycles, or hire auto-rickshaws and tonga (carriages). There are few mini buses and local taxis on the main routes, available at minimal rates.
  

Best Time to Go

November - March is the best time to visit Ajmer. It is also the time when Khwaja Chisti's death anniversary (Urs) is observed.

Ajmer Tourist Information
Tourist Reception Centre,
Hotel Khadim (RTDC),
Ajmer
Phone number: 0145 - 2627426