Ajmer Travel
Population : 450,000
Distance : 132km from Jaipur
STD : 0145
Flanked by the Aravalli hills in southeast Rajasthan, Ajmer rose out
from the sands at the feet of Taragarh hills in 145AD. During the 10th
century Ajmer was supposedly a garden city, although now the gardens
have disappeared to make way for modern buildings. A part of Mewar
till the 19th century, Ajmer was also the last district to officialy
merge with the present state of Rajasthan along with Mewar, with that
happening in November 1956, eight years after India’s
Independence.
¤ Major Pilgrimage Center
Ajmer today is a major pilgrimage spot, especially for the dargah
(shrine) of the Sufi saint Khwaja Moin-ud-din Chisti who is equally
revered by both Hindus and Muslims. Born in Persia, the saint lost his
father at a very young age. After giving away all his belongings to
charity, Chisti became a disciple of the Persian Sufi saint Khwaja
Usman Chisti Harooni. While in his fifties, Chisti went back to
Afghanistan and returned to India with Muhammad Ghori’s army in
1192AD. The 12-day Urs to mark the death of the saint is a big affair
in Ajmer.
The Urs falls on the 25th day of Jamadi-ul-Akhir (sixth lunar moon),
and is started off by the ceremonial hoisting of a white flag on the
shrine by one of the representatives of the Chisti. Professional
singers called qawwals sit in groups near the shrine and sing
qawwalis, a popular form of Urdu poetry set to music. On the first day
of the Urs, the dargah is washed with rose water and sandalwood paste,
and atar (perfume) is sprinkled liberally on the tomb. This ritual of
cleansing the tomb is called ghusal. Finally, the tomb is covered with
an expensive embroidered silk cloth called sajjada nashin. On the last
day of the festival a door called Jannati Darwaza (gateway to heaven)
is thrown open, symbolising the access to heaven for all those who
participated in the Urs.
¤ Romance Prevail in Ajmer
Ajmer has one of the most popular romantic stories of medieval India
linked to it. Its prince Prithviraj Chauhana (died 1192AD), son of
Someshwar, one of the most powerful rulers in Rajasthan at that time,
had a thing going with Sanyukta. But the problem was that Sanyukta was
the daughter of Someshwar’s sworn enemy Raja Jaichand of Kannauj.
However, Prithviraj was known for his military, riding and hunting
skills and also for his chivalry. Sanyukta, smitten by Prithviraj’s
exploits, chose him as her husband. The story goes that Jaichand
organised a swayamvara (a gathering of all eligible princes) from
which his daughter was to choose a groom. Understandably, Prithviraj
was not invited, and instead a statue of his likeness was placed as a
doorkeeper at the main entrance. Sanyukta would have nothing of this
humiliation of her beloved, and walking up to the statue placed a
garland around its neck. Then, unexpectedly, rode in Prithviraj in
true Lochinvar gallantry, picked up his would-be and rode off to Ajmer
while everyone stood around watching. Unfortunately the `lived happily
ever after’ story was not to be, for Prithviraj was soon defeated
and killed by Muhammad Ghori.
¤ Mughal Architecture in the City
As far as the Mughal era is concerned, Ajmer was an important place
for emperors. In 1556, Akbar’s military campaigns took him to
Rajasthan, and he annexed Ajmer and made it his royal retreat,
building a fort and making it the headquarters for his campaigns in
Rajputana and Gujarat. In 1613 Jahangir arrived in Ajmer ostensibly to
oversee his campaigns against the Rana of Mewar. He stayed here for
three years, spending most of his time building monuments, hunting and
visiting nearby places while his generals fought the Rana. Eventually
Ajmer became a winter retreat for Mughal emperors and was a witness to
the birth of Dara Shikoh, Shah Jahan’s eldest son. Akbar visited
Ajmer off and on, especially Khwaja Moin-ud-din Chisti’s shrine,
and contributed lavishly to its improvisation. Shah Jahan’s
association with Ajmer was perhaps the most fruitful for the city, for
he contributed with money and built beautiful monuments as well.
¤ Holy City of Pushkar
Ajmer is also the base for pilgrims on their way to Pushkar Lake, a
sacred spot for Hindus who come here to bathe during the month of
Kartik (October / November). Modern Ajmer is famous for silver and
gold jewellery (which all women in Rajasthan wear with much fanfare),
tie-dye and block printed textiles, embroidered blouses and shoes
called mojaris (see Rajasthan Arts & Crafts). The areas of Ajmer
and Sawai Madhopur have been the home for the Sahariya tribe, one of
the most cruelly exploited tribes in India owing to their continued
illiteracy. If you’re in or around Ajmer during the colourful
festival of Holi, taking a break from running around the land to see
the all-night dancing called gindar. There’s much merry making
during Holi, and the gindar is a colourful dance in which the Hindu
caste barrier is broken down for one night (see Dance). The algoza, a
musical instrument, is an Ajmer special. This popular instrument is
chiefly used to accompany all the merry singing for gindar and is made
by joining two regular flutes together and then blowing into them!
¤ Ajmer and Neighbouring
Kishangarh were one of the finest centres for art to achieve new
heights, and in Ajmer can be found one of the finest marble jali
(screen) works. Kishangarh gave birth to the Bani Thani style of
painting, a form of miniatures which do not fail to fascinate even
today. and if you’re in Ajmer, do take time out to go to Pushkar,
a lake city known for its camel fair in November, and its temples.
Pushkar also happens to be the only place in the world with a temple
dedicated to Brahma, the Creator of the Universe according to Hindu
tradition.
¤ Badnor Fort in Ajmer
80km southwest of Ajmer is Badnor, famous for its fort which was
built over 500 years ago. It is a fortified town and is surrounded by
10 lakes which dry up in summer. Badnor fort has been taken over by
the government and now lies in a ruined state. However, there are some
good views of the town and nearby areas from the fort which stands on
a small hillock. Badnor is a rural town, and the only place here worth
visiting here is the fort.
Major Tour Packages To Rajasthan
|
