Ajmer, where lands meet mountains and the natives meet hearts.
Ajmer, where a 'chaaiwala' owns the richest heart than a millionaire of the metro-city.
Ajmer, where you are not invited to a home, but welcomed by the whole parish.
They welcome us like they were missing us.
They treat us like one among them.
They are witty. They are crazy. They are lovely.
Lights, Sweets, Crackers & Above all, the people out here make Ajmer more delightful.
While leaving, I am sure Diwali will never be the same.
It's more brighter & sweeter when I try to foresee the day.
Thank you, Nidhi Mishra, for having us here" -Harsh Mohan & Nitin Rao.
These are the words from my friends that happen to join me to my hometown Ajmer - The Celestial City, this diwali.
Ajmer is not just a tourist destination; it is an experience that stays with you long after you leave. Surrounded by Aravalli Mountains, Ajmer has marked its rank in one of the major cities of Rajasthan.
Though it is categorised as a bustling chaotic city by a few people, it has many attractions for national as well as international visitors. Among these attractions, the most famous termini are:
'Tirtha Raj' - Pushkar:
Pushkar-the Tirtha Raj is a little lakeside village situated thirteen kilometers away from Ajmer and is the tourist anchorage. Tirtha raj literally means king of pilgrim sites. Pushkar is a famous place and is very popular among international tourists for its annual fair and bohemian spirit. The Nag Pahar or Snake Mountain and the edge of the Thar Desert surround the small village.
It is also one of the five sacred dhams of Hindus. There are 52 Ghats and several temples in Pushkar, out of which 'the Brahma temple' and the 'Rangji Temple' are the most famous temples. Because of the flower farming carried out in and around it, Pushkar is also called 'Rose Garden of Rajasthan'.
Dargah Sharif- The Patron of Poor:
Another key allure in Ajmer is the shrine of Khwaja Moin-Ud-din Chishty, which is India's most vital Muslim pilgrimage. Saint Moin-ud-din Chishty founded India's prime Sufi order in the country. People from all religions come here with respect and ask for his blessings and these pilgrims are welcomed by the followers of Khwaja Ji whole-heartedly.
The Mosque is usually crowded on Fridays as Jumme ki Namaz is conducted on Fridays and every year millions of zaireen visit Dargah during Ramzan and URS.
Soni Ji ki Nasiyan:
Ajmer is also a significant centre for the Jain religion, as it possesses an astonishing golden Jain temple, Soni Ji ki Nasiyan, also known as Nasiyan Ji temple. The Jain temple is enthralling gold-plated creation designed with an attempt to recreate the presence of God that is regarded in the Jain fables.
Nareli Jain Temple:
Nareli Jain temple is a newly established Jain temple on the outskirts of Ajmer. The temple is a blend of the contemporary and traditional form of architecture consisting of 24 small temples constructed in a row on the top of the hill. These 24 miniature temples have their own significance as they represent the 24 Jainalay, the Tirthankars of Jains.
Taragarh Fort:
Apart from the pilgrimages of various religions, Ajmer is also known for its historical and architectural heritage. Taragarh Fort is situated on the top of Aravalli range and was owned by Prithviraj Chauhan. The Fort has six huge gates and contains Miran Saheb ki Dargah. The Fort provides its visitors with a tremendous panoramic view of the city.
Ana Sagar Lake:
The city surrounds the soothing lake of Ana Sagar. In the 12th century, the Ana Sagar Lake was created by damming River Luni. The lake has two major green parks on its banks namely, Daulat Bagh and Subash Bagh. Shah Jahan paved both the parks, Subash Bagh and Daulat Bagh with marbles in 1637. There is a Hanuman temple on the hilltop called 'Bajrang Garh' near Daulat Bagh.
Apart from these parks, it has Chaupati and New Chaupati on its banks where the local visitors frequently visit and enjoy their evening stroll with munching the local street food.
Mayo College and Museum:
Richard Bourke, 6 th Earl of Mayo, the Viceroy of India from 1869 to 1872, founded Mayo College with an aim to offer the leaders of the princely states with an education of British standards. The British built Mayo for the sons of elite Indians, particularly the princes and nobles of Rajputana.
Hence, there are varieties of places that captivate you and that will drive you to visit the town at least once. You can prepare your itinerary accordingly and have the astounding experience yourself. You will be welcomed with open arms with a saying 'Khamma Ghani'. I personally invite you to take an outing to my hometown... "Padharo Mhare Des".
Here are some glimpse of Ajmer, if you hadn't have enough:
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