AJMER— THE CITY OF THE ‘INVINCIBLE HILL’

About 130kms southwest of Jaipur lies the city of Ajmer, an important location of Islamic heritage and history. Located beside the calm waters Ana Sagar Lake, a day trip here will introduce you to beautiful structures of early Islamic architecture and the city is best known for the shrine of Khwaja Muin-ud-din Chishti. An important Sufi saint who founded the Chishtiya order of Sufism. Ajmer’s roots go deep as the city was founded in the 7th century, and it was also one of the first meeting points of the Mughals and the British. Sir Thomas Roe met Emperor Jahangir here in the early 1600s. Today, Ajmer is a bustling centre of tourists and pilgrims. The city’s Naya Bazaar has a vast collection of tie-dyed fabrics and silver jewellery.

Best Time to Visit:

Year-round

Tourist Attractions:

Ajmer Sharif Dargah, Adhai Din Ka Jhonpda, Soniji ki Nasiyan, Nareli Jain Temple, Ana Sagar Lake, Lake Foy Sagar, Sai Baba Temple, Ajmer Government Museum, Gateway of Taragarh Fort, Kishangarh Fort, Prithvi Raj Smarak, Victoria Clock Tower, Ana Sagar Baradari, Akbar’s Palace, Daulat Bagh, Mahila Mandi

Weather:

Summer (April-June), Monsoon (July-September), Winter (October-March)

PUSHKAR— THE LAND OF MULTI-HUED FAIRS

Pushkar’s uniqueness lies in its religious history and modern touristy vibes. It is a popular Hindu pilgrimage town with 400 temples, over 50 bathing ghats, and exists on the banks of a sacred lake that, according to Hindu mythology, sprung up when a lotus flower was dropped by Lord Brahma. Non-pilgrim travellers flock to Pushkar because of the quietude on offer, and this town is the perfect balance of religiosity and tourism. Even though tourists appear in large numbers here, Pushkar is still surrounded by a mystical aura. The camel fair that takes place in October/November is an experience of a lifetime and shouldn’t be missed if you’re travelling in Rajasthan during this period. Pushkar is known as ‘the rose garden of Rajasthan’ and Nag Pahar (Snake Mountain) separates it from Ajmer.

Best Time to Visit:

Year-round

Tourist Attractions:

Pushkar Lake, Brahma Temple, Varaha Temple, Gurudwara Singh Sabha, Savitri Temple, Rangji Temple, Pap Mochini Temple, Atmateshwar Temple, Pushkar Camel Fair, Merta, Naga Pahar, Rose Garden, Sarafa Bazaar, Kishangarh, Man Mahal

Weather:

Summer (April-July), Monsoon (July-September), Winter (October-March)