Places of Interest in Ajmer
The Dargah
At the foot of a barren hill, is situated India's most important Piligrimage centre for people from all faith. It is the splendid tomb of the Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, more popularly known as Khwaja Sharif.
Adhai-Din-Ka-Jhonpra
A remarkable structure, this is 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. Mohammad
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. The district pillars and arched "screen
with its ruined minarets make it a splendid architectural masterpiece.
Mayo College
One of Indian's best public schools located in the south east 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 his own house in the spacious
college grounds covering 81 hectares. Now it is a public school open to
all.
Shahjahan's Mosque
In the corner of the inner court of the Dargah, is a magnificent building
in white marble with a long (30.5) and narrow court having low arcade and
delicate carvings with trellis work. It is the most marvellous all the sanctums
within the sanctuary of the Dargah.
Taragarh Fort
A steep one and 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.
The Museum
Once the royal residence of Emperor Akbar, the museum houses a rich repository
of the Mughal and Rajput armor and exquisite sculptures.
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.