Located in the ancient valley range of Aravalli is the beautiful city of Ajmer. An emerald oasis and a culturally rich city in Rajasthan, Ajmer is believed to be over 700 years old and is known for being the seat of the Chauhan Dynasty. They were the early rulers of the city and also founded it. The things that will stand out when visiting Ajmer are the colorful streets, cultural diversity, the amazing-smelling street food, and the green spaces. Ajmer is a city that offers a completely different view of Rajasthan.
The breathtaking monuments, palaces, and forts will take your breath away while the pilgrim spots will portray the rooted divinity of the city. It’s also known for its celebration of colorful and joyous festivals like Nagaur Fair, Mewar Festival, Pushkar Fair, Urs festival, and the Winter Festival to name a few. With all that this city has to offer you as a tourist, your trip to Ajmer will definitely be worth it. If you're yet to plan your trip, here's the Ajmer travel guide to help you know more.
Ajmer is a city that has had a very important role to play in the history of India. The city was founded in the 7th century by Raja Ajay Pal Chauhan and it remained to be the powerhouse of economics, trade, and commerce for the Chauhan Dynasty of Rajputs. The Chauhan Dynasty of Rajputs built Ajmer’s first-ever hill fort, Taragarh, in the 7th century.
They ruled over Ajmer until 1193 A.D; this is when Prithviraj Chauhan, the ruler of the dynasty, lost the city to Mohammed Ghori. Since then, Ajmer was home to many other dynasties. The city came under the rule of the Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1556. He used Ajmer as his headquarters and controlled all of his important operations in Rajasthan. Even during this time, Ajmer continued to flourish economically in trade and commerce.
Later, Emperor Aurangzeb took over Ajmer for a brief period and lost it to the Maratha Empire. The Maratha Empire was the powerhouse ruling over major parts of the country and they ruled over Ajmer until 1818. After the Marathas, the British got control over Ajmer and made it their operational headquarters to look over all the Rajput Kingdoms.
Along with its strong presence in history, the food and culture of Ajmer leave a great impression on people. The samosa, kachori, dal-pakwan, pakoda, etc are some of the well-known food items that you can find on the streets of Ajmer and should try as well. The people of the city are also very friendly and celebrate many festivals all year round. Urs Festival, Pushkar Mela, Makar Sankranti, Gangaur Festival, and Mewar Festival are some of the major ones celebrated here.
Also read: Exploring The Forts And Palaces In Jaipur
Ajmer is the fifth-largest city in India and is also a prominent tourist destination. It's also a big pilgrimage destination in the state where thousands of pilgrims visit each year. This is one of the reasons why the transportation system in the city is excellent and it's very well connected by air, road, and railways. Here's how you can get to Ajmer using different modes of transportation.
Ajmer is well connected with most domestic and international cities via airways. It has Kishangarh Airport as its domestic airport located within the city. The Sanganer Airport or Jaipur International Airport is the international airport serving Ajmer, which is actually 135 km away from the city. These airports are well connected with major cities of India. You have regular flights coming in from Ahmedabad, Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Indore, and Surat.
Once you get to these airports, there are ample cabs and taxis that you can hire to get to your destination. From the Sanganer Airport, you'll take approximately 2 to 3 hours to get to Ajmer.
Ajmer has the Ajmer Junction railway station that connects well with the Mumbai-Delhi rail line. To this line itself, you also have cities like Ahmedabad and Jaipur that connect with the city. Allahabad, Kolkata, and Lucknow are some of the other prominent cities in India that are well connected with Ajmer Junction railway station. Plus, you have the Jodhpur Mail, Shatabdi Express, Delhi Express, and other express trains that run through on a regular basis.
From the Ajmer Junction railway station, you can hire an auto-rickshaw or a taxi to get to your desired destination. The benefit of traveling via railways is that the station is located such that it takes you only a few minutes to reach your desired destination anywhere in the city.
Getting to Ajmer by roadways makes for a great road trip. The city has enchanting architecture that makes for a great way to set your mood for the trip. Ajmer is well connected with the Golden Quadrilateral National Highway 8. It's midway between Delhi and Mumbai, which makes it extremely convenient to get to Ajmer from these cities. You also get regular private AC and non AC buses and government buses along the way from neighboring cities like Jaisalmer, Jaipur, Nathdwara, Jodhpur, Gurgaon, and Delhi. Buses are also available from farther cities like Pune, Vadodara, and Ahmedabad.
Also read: 5 Places To Go Glamping In Rajasthan
Ajmer is accessible all year long but monsoon and winters are the best time to visit this gorgeous city. The summer temperatures here rise well above 45°C and are not the ideal time to visit as the weather is hot, humid, and dry (which makes you want to cry!).
Monsoons in Ajmer start in mid-June and end in September. During this time of the year, the temperature ranges between 26°C and 34°C which is decent enough to enjoy the beauty of the city. Plus, the usually dry landscape of Ajmer looks absolutely stunning which is an added bonus you get when you visit the city during the monsoon. You can visit the Nareli Jain Temple as the lush green mountain view in the background is going to make the view even better for you to enjoy. Visiting Ana Sagar lake and Foy Sagar lake during this time of the year is a must. The pleasant monsoon weather and the lush greenery make the boat ride a soothing experience during the evening.
If you aren’t comfortable exploring the city in the rain, winter is probably the best time for you to visit Ajmer and enjoy the serene beauty of the city. The temperature during this time averages from 15°C to 18°C while the temperature falls during the night to almost 6°C. This gives you the perfect weather to walk around and enjoy exploring the streets of Ajmer on foot. Gateways of Taragarh Fort, Buland Darwaza, Savitri Temple, and Durga Bag Gardens are some of the best places that you can visit during winters in Ajmer.
Also read: 8 Amazing Places To Go Camping In Rajasthan
Getting around Ajmer is extremely convenient as it's a spread-out city over a small stretch of land. Most of the sightseeing spots are in close proximity to one another and just a stroll away. Walking through the local streets and exploring the local spaces around will be a good experience if you're up for it.
Taxis and auto-rickshaws are also commonly found transportation options. You’ll find them readily available in most parts of the city and they make commuting to nearby places very easy and cost-effective. The only thing you need to remember when you get a rickshaw is to fix the price beforehand. They don't function on a metered basis and can be overpriced most times. So it's better to decide on a price before you board one.
Hiring a tourist car is another option for you if you are a big group of people traveling together. This makes traveling together hassle-free and you can also split the fare among yourselves to make this trip more pocket friendly.
Also read: Top 9 Things To Do In Rajasthan
“Ajmer is only known for its Jain Temples”
Ajmer indeed has ample Jain Temples that are worth visiting and experiencing the bliss, but there's a lot more to the city than just that. Ajmer has beautiful lakes like Ana Sagar and Foy Sagar that you can visit and go on boat rides. Besides, it also has many palaces, museums, restaurants, and forts that you can explore when you're visiting. Just walking around the streets of Ajmer will allow you to first-hand experience the cultural diversity and colorful feel of the city. Keep reading to know about some of the most beautiful places to visit in Ajmer.
Also read: Experiencing The Ranakpur Temple In Rajasthan
Ajmer Sharif Dargah is a holy shrine built by the Mughal Emperor Humayun in honor of the propagator of Sufism, Garib Nawaz. It's one of the most visited and also renowned dargahs in the world and is considered the holiest place in Rajasthan. You can soak in the harmony and serenity of this place. This dargah is located such that you’ll take no longer than 30 minutes to get here from most touristy spots in Ajmer. Plus you also have all kinds of transit systems that will drop you off here. For a peaceful time after a long day of travel or just to start your day on a very calming note, you must visit the Ajmer Sharif Dargah at least once.
Taragarh Fort is popularly known as Star Fort and was built in 1354 AD. It's one of the oldest forts in the city and you get to witness a gorgeous sunset overviewing the city. The architecture of the fort is fascinating as it is intricately built and has three gateways, ample tunnels, battlements, and ramparts. The Rani Mahal and Grand Canyon or the 'Garbha Gunjan' are two of the more popular spots that are visited by tourists in large numbers. What remains of this majestic fort is only ruins now, but the panoramic view of the Bundi district still remains.
Akbar's Palace is where Akbar and his troops stayed during his visits to Ajmer Sharif Dargah. It was built in 1570 AD and was established as the Archaeological Museum in 1949. The museum portrays military weaponry, paintings, sculptures, and many other artifacts from the Mughal era. They also have two 'Yupa Pillars', some excavated material, and terracotta belonging to early historical periods that are dug up from the former Jaipur State itself. You can get a tour guide who will help you know more about these artifacts displayed.
How Many Days Are Enough For Ajmer?
Ajmer has ample places that you can visit and explore, so ideally about 3 to 4 days should be enough time for you to do so. You can easily cover up enough places in these many days and call it a trip. But if you'd like to explore more local places and enjoy a variety of things, you may want to visit Ajmer for 5 to 6 days.
What Is Ajmer Famous For?
Ajmer is known for its Jain Temples that are spread across the city. But it also has the most visited and religious place in Rajasthan, Ajmer Sharif dargah. These are the two things that Ajmer is popularly known for among people. Apart from these, Ajmer is also known for its cuisine, colorful architecture, and unique monuments spread across the city.
Is Ajmer Worth Visiting?
Ajmer is a city located in the Indian state of Rajasthan and is one of the more popular cities visited by tourists in large numbers. The backdrop of Aravalli Hills along with the Ajmer Sharif Dargah, Nasiyan Jain Temple, Ana Sagar Lake, Daulat Bagh Garden, and Taragarh Fort are some of the best places within the city that make it worth visiting.
What Is The Special Food Of Ajmer?
Ajmer has sohan halwa which is one of the best foods in the city. This halwa is made from three simple ingredients - milk, sugar, and flour and is topped off with some cardamom powder and dry fruits for a delicious flavor. You must try out the sohan halwa from the local shop when you visit Ajmer.
What Can We Buy From Ajmer?
Things like brassware, Sohan halwa, handicraft items, silver items, and embroidered apparel are some of the most famous things that one can buy in Ajmer.
What Time Is Best To Visit Ajmer?
Given the breathtaking views and pleasant weather all throughout the year, Ajmer is a city that is welcoming to all whenever they choose to visit.
What Are The Best Places To Visit In Ajmer?
Nasiyan Jain Temple, Dargah Sharif, Ana Sagar Lake, and Akbar's Palace & Museum are some of the most interesting tourist attractions in Ajmer.
Is Ajmer Safe To Visit?
Given the warm and welcoming people of Ajmer, it is a very safe city to visit for everyone.
