Top 6 Places to Visit in Ajmer is one of the oldest cities in Rajasthan, a North Indian state of India. The name Ajmer is derived from ‘Ajay Meru’ which means ‘invincible hills.’ As the history says, Ajmer was founded by Raja Ajay Pal Chauhan in the 7th century AD and remained in the power of Chauhan’s till 1193 AD. The last ruler of Chauhan dynasty was Prithviraj Chauhan and he lost the kingdom to Mohammed Gaure. Later, Ajmer became home to many dynasties including Mughals and Britishers.
Ajmer is flanked by the green hills of Aravalli Ranges, and looks like an oasis in the desert. Location wise, it is located to the Southwest of Jaipur, at a distance of 135 kilometres from the capital of Rajasthan. It is well connected to the cities like Jaipur, Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Jodhpur by the means of railway and road. The historical city is now a popular pilgrimage site for Muslims and Hindus all over the world. There are several tourist places in Ajmer that exhibit the rich history and culture of the place.
Want to plan a trip to this historical city of Rajasthan? Want a list of the best places to explore in Ajmer? Here is a guide on the Top 6 Places to Visit in Ajmer. Reading the whole article will help you through the planning of your next trip to the city.
Ajmer Sharif Dargah
The tomb of a popular Sufi Saint, Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti, this dargah is one of the must-visit tourist places in Ajmer. Constructed in pure white marble, the dargah sports 11 arches and a Persian inscription that runs along through the full length of the building. Though the dargah has a marble dome but the actual tomb inside the dargah is surrounded by a stunning silver platform. Immensely popular among the spiritual healers throughout the world, the dargah is exceptionally packed with pilgrims every year on the death anniversary of the saint. The dargah is not only visited by Muslim pilgrims but is popular among people of diverse religion, caste and creed.
- Location: Gaddi Nashin Aastana-e-Aliya Khawaja Ghareeb Nawaz 111, Faiz Manzil, Nathwan Shah, Khadim Mohalla, Dargah Sharif, Ajmer, Rajasthan, 305001, India
- Opening Hours: You can visit the place anytime from 6 AM till 7 PM.
Ana Sagar Lake
Built by Anaji Chauhan, the grandfather of Prithviraj Chauhan during 1135 to 1150 AD, this is one stunning man-made lake. Sprawling over an area of about 13 km, the pond is a popular Top 6 Places to Visit in Ajmer. Many travellers visit the lake to admire its picturesque beauty. The lake is also popular for offering magical sunset views. Boating is a common activity here. There are several other attractions to explore near Ana Sagar lake too.
- Location: Ana Sagar Lake, Ajmer, Rajasthan, 305001, India
- Opening Hours: You can visit this place anytime from 8 AM till 8 PM.
Visiting Ajmer will allow you to see how religion, culture and community coexist and flourish together in complete harmony here. Have a fun vacation!
Adhai Din ka Jhonpra
Adhai Din ka Jhopara could also be a Masjid built by Qutub-ud-Din-Aibak, the first Sultan of Delhi in AD 1199. Rumor has it that this Indo-Islamic architectural site was constructed in two and a half days and that is where it gets its name. Adhai Din ka Jhopra may be a relic of an old mosque that was constructed with remains of Hindu and Jain temples.
Though most of the traditional temple is in ruins today, the world of the mosque remains used as an area of worship. Complete with arched screens, ruined minarets, and distinct beautiful pillars it’s a tremendous place to go.
It is one of the oldest mosques in India, and thus the oldest surviving monument in Ajmer. After the independence of India, the structure was turned over to the Jaipur circle of ASI (Archaeological Survey of India) and is today visited by people of all religions, as a fine example of a mixture of Indian, Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim, and Jain architectures. It is one of the Top 6 Places to Visit in Ajmer.
Nareli Jain Temple
Nareli Jain Temple, located about 7 km distant from Ajmer, maybe a gorgeous marble temple with angular and strikingly appealing designs. The temple is situated on the ranges of the Aravali Mountains.
This Temple may be a striking facade mixing traditional and contemporary architectural styles with 24 miniature temples (Chaubisi) lined abreast of the hill above. It was built by members of the RK Marbles family. The temple is a crucial Jain pilgrimage site for Digambar Jains. It is one of the Top 6 Places to Visit in Ajmer.
Mayo College Museum
Housed in Jhalwar House, Mayo College Museum was designed by Mr. T. N. Vyas is the most important school museum in the world. Spread over 18 rooms within the campus, the entities of the repository have all been donated by old students, teachers, parents, or well-wishers. The explanation section has stuffed birds and butterflies also.
Mayo College in Ajmer is understood to be one of the simplest boarding schools in India. The school was founded by Richard Bourke in 1875. He was the Viceroy of India from 1869 to 1872. It is one of the Top 6 Places to Visit in Ajmer.
Ajmer Jain Temple
Ajmer Jain Temple or Soniji Ki Nasiyan may be a Digambar Jain temple dedicated to Lord Rishabhdev (Agnidev), the first of the 24 Tirthankara of Jainism. The temple is formed of red sandstone which is why it is also called the Red Temple.
The main attraction of the temple is that the main chamber, referred to as the Swarna Nagari “City of Gold”, has several gold-plated wooden figures, depicting several figures within Jainism. The city of Ayodhya has been carved out of wood and plated with 1000 kg of gold within most chambers.
The intricacy is remarkable. Only Jains are allowed within the main temple or the Lal Mandir/Red Temple and perform their rituals. It is one of the Top 6 Places to Visit in Ajmer.