Quick Bytes
Located In: Ajmer, Rajasthan
Dedicated To: Sufi Saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti
Timings for Darshan: 05:00 A.M. - 09:00 P.M.
Fee (If any): Admission is free
General Tip: Dress modestly and maintain the decorum. Men and women
should cover their heads with pallu, scarf, cap or handkerchief.
Getting There: Take buses and taxis in
Ajmer
to reach the Dargarh.
About the Dargah

A
mush respected and sacred pilgrimage for Muslims and followers of other
religions, the Dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti, is a must on your tour to
Ajmer. It is indeed a jewel in the crown of Ajmer. Since the times when the
saint landed in India from Persia in 1192, had being a living spirit
of peace and harmony and so enjoys global reverence and devotion. The dargah
lies to the extreme north of Taragarh hills. The time of Mughal reign gave
significance to the dargah when many rulers added to to the building here.
Humayun completed the construction of the shrine and a Nizam of Hyderabad
added a gate to it.
Beautiful
Architecture
The Dargah is a place for pilgrims and art lovers also where the get to see
beautiful architecture. There are attractive buildings, tombs, courtyards
and Daalaans in the dargah that display are exemplar of exquisite Moghul
architecture and were built during the Mughal period. The two mighty gates
of the dargah are delight to see. Akbar annually came to seek blessings here
and made his pilgrimage to the dargah from Agra. The tomb of the saint has a
marble dome and is surrounded by a silver platform.
Must See - Must Do
Nizam Gate: It is the first gate of the dargah. It was
built in 1915 up some steps to protect it from rains.
Buland Darwaza: The pilgrims are attracted by the two
mighty gates built with the donations of Sultan Ghyasuddin Khilji of Mandoo
who ruled Malwa from 1469 to 1500 A.D. On the top of the main gate in the
north there is a Naqqar Khana (drum house) containing two pairs of huge
naqqars (beating drums) which were presented by Emperor Akbar after his
successful victory in a campaign of Bengal.
Akbari Masjid: The green and white mosque on the right of
Nizam gate was built by Akbar in 1571and is now a Persian and Arabic school
for religious education.
Urs: The extravaganza of
festivities
and sufism is felt during the annual Urs in the dargah. Urs commences with
the hoisting of flag on the Buland Darwaza on the full moon day in the month
of Rajab. Activities like recital of Quran, Darood, Shijra-e-Chishtia and
other verses are included. Visit the place during Urs and soak yourself in
the aura of sufism.
Excursion Trips
Pushkar: At a very distnace of about 11 Km lies
Pushkar, a important pilgrimage
for Hindus. The place is famous for the Brahma Temple that is the main
attraction here.
Kishangarh: Travel 27 km northeast to Ajmer and you come
to Kishangarh which was founded in the early 17th century by by Kishan
Singh, a Rathore prince. The place is popular among travelers and
connoisseurs for the beautiful Bani Thani Paintings.
Tilonia: The village of Tilonia is proud to have the
inspirationally radical Barefoot College. It is an ideal pick up the
souvenirs including wall hangings, furniture, leather goods, bell totas,
painted ceramic bowls and wooden toys.
Pachewar: The little
village
is close to Ajmer and is a haven for the migratory birds. Also worth seeing
is the fort here. Jeep safaris can be arranged here on request.