What to see
The Dargah
Ajmer has a rich Hindu and Islamic heritage. The tomb of the great Sufi saint Khwaja Moin-ud-din-Chisti is a revered place for both Hindus and Muslims. The shrine was built by Humayun. There are various mosques built by Akbar, Jehangir and Shah Jahan. There is a Dargah Bazaar which is at the entrance of the Dargah.
The shrine is next only to Mecca or Medina for the Muslims of south Asia.Akbar used to the Dargah from Agra once a year. The mausoleum has a gigantic gate,which was built by the Nizam of Hyderabad.
The two massive cauldrons in the courtyard are of particular interest and on the right side of the courtyard is the Akbari Masjid built in white marble. There is another mosque in the courtyard built by Shahjahan.
The saint’s tomb with a splendid marble dome is in the centre of the second courtyard, which is surrounded by a silver platform.
The shrine attracts thousands of pilgrims during the Urs-commemorating the death anniversary of the Saint, held from the 1St to 6 th day of the Islamic month of Rajab.A colorful fair that springs up during this time is the major attraction.
Adhai-din-ka-Jhonpra
Close to the dargah is the mosque built by Mohammed Ghori,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 ,Mohammed Ghauri conquered Ajmer and converted the building into a mosque by adding a seven-arched wall in front of the pillared hall in just two-and-a-half days(adhai-din) and hence the name.) using the remains of almost thirty neighbouring temples, destroyed during his invasion.
The Museum
Akbar's royal residence has been converted into a museum.
Taragarh Fort
A steep one and a half-hour climb beyond the Adhai-din-ka-Jhonpra leads to the ruins of the Taragarh Fort, perched on a hill. One can have an excellent view of the city from here. The fort was the site of the military activity during the Mughal period,later used as a sanatorium by the British.
Mayo College
One of the India's best public schools,located in the southeast of the city. It was founded in 1875 A.D only for the princes. Each prince along with his entire retinue and an English tutor had its own house within the spacious college grounds,covering 81 hectares. Now it is a Public School open to all.
The Circuit House
The former British residency,overlooking the artificial lake,Ana Sagar,has now been converted to the Circuit House.The lake and the cenotaph and the shrine of the Hindu reformer Swami Dayanand,founder of the Arya Samaj movement in India ,can be viewed from here.
