AJMER MONUMENTS

Adhai-din-ka-jhoupra: 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. Mohhamed Ghauri conquered Ajmer and converted the building into a mosque by adding a sevenarched wall in front of the pillared hall in just two-and-half days(adhai-din) and hence the name. The distinct pillars-and arched "Screen" with its ruined minarets make it a splendid architectural masterpiece.

Ana Sagar Lake: You can visit the Ana Sagar Lake on your Ajmer travel, an artificial lake that was created in the 12th century by damming River Luni. On its bank is the pleasant park, the Daulat Bagh containing a series of marble pavilions erected in 1637 by Shahjahan. There are fine views from the hill beside the park. Boats are available for hire at the jetty. Adhai-din-ka-Jhonpra is another major attraction located beyond the Dargah; on the outskirts of the town are the ruins of this mosque.

Pushkar Cattle Fair: A massive cattle fair occurs in October and November around the lake which is also famous for its crocodiles – which, simply put, means that if you get in you might not get out! The Pushkar Fair, as the cattle fair is commonly known, attracts thousands of people from all over the country who come to trade and watch cart and camel races. A full moon means its time to take a holy dip in the lake in places where the crocs aren’t around. The `loading of the camel’ is a very popular event in which a camel is made to sit down while as many riders as is possible – plus a few more – happily climb onto the poor animal and go for a ride. Camel polo is another hit with the people, although its technique and expertise would embarass any decent horse polo buff.

Each year during Kartik Purnima around 200,000 people flock to Pushkar for the camel Fair, with 50,000 camels and cattle accompanying them. For livestock traders, this is a pretty serious affair, and many travel hundreds of kilometers with the sole intention of getting a good price for their cattle. While the fair is in progress, a mini tent city springs up near the lake, seemingly appearing out of nowhere and disappearing as soon as the festival ends, only to reappear a year later.

When the fair draws to a close and everyone gets going home, a strange wailing sound fills the orange evening. These are the wails of camel mothers separated from their young ones who have been sold off and who they shall never see again. A truly heart wrenching finalé to one of the most popular fairs in Rajasthan.

The Museum: Once the royal residence of Emperor Akbar ,the museum houses a rich repository of the Mughal and Rajput armour and exquisite sculptures.

Taragarh Fort: A steep one and a half hour climb beyond the Adhai-din-ka-jhopra 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 south-east of the 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.

Pushkar Lake: It is just a 11 Kms from Ajmer. This is one of the important attractions of Pushkar and is immensely important amongst the followers of Hinduism. The lake was devoted to Lord Brahma. The lake is surrounded by 500 temples, 52 palaces and 52 ghats. Pushkar lake is a must watch during Karthik Purnima wich is held in the month of November every year, the fest is better known as the Pushkar fair.

Nag Pahar: Nag Pahar or the Snake Mountain stands as a divider between the lake and the city of Ajmer. The mountain is famous for Panch Kund and saint Agastya’s cave, and it is believed that Kalidas, the 4th century poet and playwright, composed Abhigyanam Shakuntalam, one of his finest works, here.

Man Mahal: Raja Man Singh of Amer built this little palace for himself for the times he would visit Ajmer and Pushkar along the banks of Pushkar lake. Currently it functions as a tourist bungalow run by the Rajasthan Tourism department. Near the palace is Pushkar palace, now a heritage hotel. Pushakar palace ( Kishangarh House) adjoining it is a heritage hotel.

Foy Sagar: it is located 5 Kms from ajmer. A picturesque artificial lake named after the engineer for who created it under a famine relief project.

Kuchaman: This is one of the famous forts and one can view the beauty of the ort its Meera Bai miniature paintings inside the Meera Mahal. Another attractions which you could find here is the Lok Dev temple which was constructed by Ranjit Singh to honour the sacrifices of the masses.

Kishangarh: It is a regal state which ruled by Rathores. The Kishangarh fort is quite popular for housing miniature painting style which is called the Kishangarh art. Also try peaking at the Phool Mahal or the flower palace which is inside the fort and is now operational as heritage hotel.

Kishangarh was the royal state ruled by Rathores. The Kishangarh fort houses the miniature paintings style called as Kishangarh Art. The Phool Mahal (Flower Palace) inside the fort is now operational as hotel.

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.