Ajmer-e-Sharief

Ajmer-e-Sharief is a world famous shrine dedicated to Moinuddin Chishti, a sufi saint. Located in Ajmer, a small town in Rajasthan, it has acquired a rather sacred place not only for Muslim pilgrims, but also for people belonging to different sects and faiths, who come here from the world over to pay homage to the saint.

It is believed that a 7 times visit to the shrine is equivalent to one visit to Mecca, the most scared and auspicious pilgrimage destination for the Muslims of the world.

The history of the place is quite an interesting. According to legend, it was during the time when Prithviraj Chauhan lost his empire to Mohammas Gohri when Khwaja Moinuddin Chisthi settled in the town of Ajmer and started preaching. Soon a league of his followers was formed and he became highly revered.

Later in the 16^th century, Mughal Emperor Humanyun built a tomb at the place where the last of the saint’s remains lay buried. It was later that Akbar and Shah Jahan also added Mosques to the sight, and the most popular among them today remains the Ajmer-e-Sharief.

Akbar even went to the place to worship the saint for and wished for a son. Soon his wish came true and he started frequenting the place often.

Ajmer-e-Sharief the way we see it today is said to have been built by the Nizam of Hyderabad at that time. Even today, people from all parts of the country come here with wishes, for which they pray to the saint Moinuddin.

Also, in close proximity to Ajmer is the Hindu Holy city of Pushker. Many tourists plan a combined visit to the two places. These two places are another good example of how two very different religions can survive in harmony over the centuries.

The city of Ajmer is well connected with all parts of the state and the country. Its railway station lies on the main Delhi-Mumbai junction. There is no airport in the city, but the closest major airport in at Jaipur, about 134 km from here. A good network of roads connects the town with all major cities like Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, and Bharatpur.