About Ajmer Tourism

Originally called Ajaimeur or the invincible hill, founded by Ajai Pal Chauhan in the 7th century, Ajmer was a centre of Chauhan power till 1193 A.D. Even during the Muslim conquests, Ajmer did not loose its charm and importance. It was only when Prithvi Raj Chauhan lost to Muhammed Gohri that Ajmer passed on to multiple hands of feudal lords, Marwar rulers and finally the Mughals. Eventually, Ajmer was conquered by the Marathas, who subsequently lost it to the British and it became one of the only parts of Rajasthan controlled directly by the East Indian Co.

Hazrat Khawaja Muinuddin Chisty (May peace of God be upon his soul) was one of the greatest Sufi saints the world has ever known. His spiritual influence and benedictions have been, and are still a perpetually source of inspiration courage and guidance to the afflicted humanity, irrespective of caste creed or religion.

A Sufi will be distinguishable from others on account of his detachment from his parents, children, wealth, power, position and comforts. His ignorance vanishes in the effulgence of the 'Divine Light' of the most High, the Lord of the entire Universe. In such an ecstatically devotion there is neither pain nor sorrow for him as he is overwhelmingly dedicated to the will of the Almighty God. Thus a Sufi saint is the Spiritual King, far above all temporal kings, disguised in the patched robes of a humble dervish.

The life of a Sufi is the "life of the spirit " regulated strictly in accordance with Islamic theology and traditions. To attain this his first lesson is unshakable belief in the existence of God and unconditional surrender to His will. This entails a strenuous life attended by rigid austerity and self-denial. He has to undergo a course of training in regular prayers and meditation to attain the Divine Knowledge and realisation of Truth. This particular knowledge is passed on 'in secret' by one Sufi to another having the requisite qualifications i.e. one who does not think evil does not see evil, does not hear evil and does not speak evil. Without this Divine Knowledge, one cannot fathom the hidden mysteries of the Nature and those of the soul. To sum up the whole object of Sufism is to attain the highest spiritual perfection.

Ajmer situated in the green oasis wrapped in the barren hills has been a witness to an interesting past. The city was founded by Raja Ajay Pal Chauhan in the 7th Century A.D. and continued to be a major center of the Chauhan power till 1193 A.D. when Prithviraj Chauhan lost it to Mohammed Ghauri.since then, Ajmer became home to many dynasties, which came and left leaving behind indelible marks of their culture and traditions on the city's history, converting it to an amalgam of various cultures and blend of Hinduism and Islam.

In this era of communalism and religious intolerance, Ajmer comes across as an extremely secular town and a unifying shrine. Founded in the 7th century by Raja Ajpal Chauhan, Ajmer served as the Bastion of he Chauhan kings. The city passed on to the Mewar kings and was at last annexed by the Mughal Emperor Akbar. Ajmer is renowned for the Shrine dedicated to the Muslim saint lovingly known as Khwaja who longed to unite the people of the land in a common bond or brotherhood.

Ajmer City is well connected to the rest of the country and the world through regular flights plying to and from Jaipur Airport. Jaipur (138 km) is also connected to Ajmer by an excellent bus service and the route takes 2 hours to cover. Ajmer is a major junction in the Indian Railways network and connects the city to other parts of the country.

The Urs Ajmer Sharif is the city's major festival and eulogizes the Sufi seer Khawaja Moinuddin Chishti. Qawwalis and festive songs are sung at the famed durgah or shrine in the city. Millions of devotees visit the city during the Urs and offer prayers and supplications.