Best Things to do in Ajmer

The town of Ajmer is one of the oldest and historically significant cities of Rajasthan. Surrounded by the Aravalli Mountain Range, this small township receives a huge number of religious tourists. The town enjoys a hot and semi-arid climate. Due to its significance in the Indian culture and heritage, the Government of India included Ajmer as a heritage town for its flagship program HRIDAY - Heritage Town Development and Augmentation Yojana.
Some refer Ajmer as the Education Town of Rajasthan due to the presence of the pristine colleges like the Mayo College and Government Arts College. Interestingly, the Mayo College of Ajmer was one of the early schools in India following the British model of education. Also, the town has been a close connection with the Hindustani Classical music and the first accredited music college of Rajputana was established here.

Ajmer became the center of Chishtiyya order of mysticism, a branch of Sufi mysticism, preached by Khwaja Moin-ud-din Chishti. Yearly, Several pilgrims visit the shrine, Ajmer Sharif Dargah, to seek the blessings of the Sufi saint. Festivals like Urs Festival Festival to commemorate the death anniversary of Sufi saint Khwaja Moin-ud-din Chishti, and International Sufi Festival are celebrated here.

Ajmer is an important historical town and has witnessed several ups and downs in the history of the country. Surrounded by the Aravalli range, Ajmer was once known as Ajayameru. Being an important strategic location, many kingdoms ranging from 11th century Rajputana dynasty of Shakambari Chauhans to Mughals in the 15th century have established their stronghold here. The Taragarh Fort played an important role in the history of the Rajasthan and India. According to several texts, an 8th-century ruler Ajayaraja I commissioned the building of a fort in Ajmer and named it as Ajaymeru Fort. This monument was renamed as the Taragarh Fort. After the decline of the Mughals, Maratha rulers took over Ajmer.