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Ajmer Attractions |
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The main tourist attraction of Ajmer is
Dargah of Garib Nawaz. Ajmer houses the Dargah or tomb of the
popular 13th century Sufi saint, Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Hasan
Chisti. The other tourist attraction of Ajmer are Taragarh
Fort, Adhai din ka Jhonpara, Mayo College, Ana Sagar Lake and
Nasiyan. |
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Dargah Sharif
Ajmer was a major center for Muslim pilgrims during the
fast of Ramzaan and has some impressive Muslim
architecture. It houses the Dargah or tomb of the
popular 13th century Sufi saint, Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin
Hasan Chisti. The Dargah Sharif is the place where the
famous Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Hasan Chisti mortal
lie buried and is the site of the largest Muslim fair in
India. The Dargah Sharif draws pilgrims and devotees not
only from the Islamic world but the people visit this
place from all religions as the Dargah Sharif is
considered a shrine where all the wishes are fulfilled.
Khwaja Moinuddin Hasan Chisti lived in Ajmer from 1190
until his death in 1232.He was referred as the
benefactor of the poor and was popularly known as Gareeb
Nawaz. Chaddar, Ghilaph and Neema are the various
offerings which are made by several devotees inside the
tomb. Mehfils and Qawwalis are held and mass prayer
calls for the |
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eternal peace
of the mankind. More than five lakh devotees belonging to
different communities gather from all parts of the
subcontinent to pay homage to the Khwaja on his Urs (death
anniversary) during the first six days of Rajab (seventh month
of the Islamic calendar). The pilgrims who come to seek the
blessings of the Khwaja make rich offerings called nazrana at
the holy spot where the saint has been entombed. The offerings
of rose and jasmine flowers, sandalwood paste, perfumes and
incense contribute to the fragrance that floats in the air
inside the shrine. The crown on the tomb's summit is made of
solid gold and the open space in the foreground is a mosque
built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. The entrance is richly
decorated with gold and enamel work as well as with Belgian
crystal chandeliers (lights and lamps). The shrine has enjoyed
considerable patronage during its history from different
Muslim rulers. The main decorative gate was gifted by a local
source to Alauddin Khilji, who ruled the Delhi Sultanate
between 1296-1315. Several other rulers have also built
gateways, including one built by the Nizam of Hyderabad in
1911, which forms the present boundary between the street and
the shrine grounds. |
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Adhai-din-ka-jhonpra
It is a remarkable structure, a masterpiece of
Indo-Islamic architecture located on the outskirts, of
the city, just beyond the Dargah. As the legend goes,
its construction took two and a half days (Adhai-Din) to
complete. It was originally a Sanskrit college, built
within a temple. In 1193 A.D. Mohhamed Ghauri conquered
Ajmer and converted the building into a mosque by adding
a seven arched wall in |
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pillared hall in just two-and-half days (adhai-din) and hence
the name. Other Attractions in Ajmer
Ajmer also has a Jain Temple, Nasiyan Temple in red color
built in 1865. The wooden gilt in the double storeyed hall
exhibits images from the Jain mythology, describing the
ancient Jain concepts. Ajmer is blessed with lakes - Ana Sagar
Lake, built between 1135-1150 AD by damming the river Luni.
This artificial lake is bounded by hills and on its bank is a
beautiful park - the Dault Bagh, making this place one fine
spot for strolling in the morning and evening. Foy Sagar is
just 5 kms from the town and 3 kms further up the valley from
Ana Sagar Lake. Built during a famine relief programme it is
named after the engineer responsible for its construction, the
picturesque lake offers spectacular views form the hill.
Museums in Ajmer
Government Museum:
Government Museum, situated in the heart of the old city of
Ajmer is housed in the beautiful palace built by the Mughal
Emperor Akbar in 1570. It was here that the British General
Sir Thomas Roe met Emperor Jahangir in 1616. In the museum are
the palace quarters where the emperors lived. After the
British rule in 1818 and during the first war of Independence
in 1857 these palace quarters were used as the Rajputana
Arsenal by the British.
Archaeological Museum:
Archaeological Museum is located in the Dil-e-Aaram Gardens of
Ajmer and established in 1949. An Art Gallery was inaugurated
in 1992 in this complex. This museum is divided into three
sections. This museum has the collection of sculptures and
some excavated material of earlier civilizations. |
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