Introduction
Rajasthan: the largest state in India. Full of the desert to serene and lavish lakes, Delicious traditional food to exciting festivals, Colorful cities and villages to Royal heritage hotels, You can find everything over there at one place only, for experiencing something unique. That makes the entire state of Rajasthan, one of the most visited tourist destinations in India. But apart from these, Rajasthan is the home of plenty of Historic forts and Monuments. When we talk about famous monuments, Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra tops the chart in Rajasthan and stands at a prominent position in the list of famous and oldest monuments in India. The structure of Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra is in Ajmer city, plays a vital role to make the entire city famous all around the world. So, let us discuss its past, present, and future.
About Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra
Even though the city, blessed with multiple Historical and religious places that attract a lot of tourists, The Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra holds a great significance in the city of Ajmer. It maintains its unique identity in the city. If you ask the top two most visited places in Ajmer, you will find the answer with the name of two sites: The Dargah Sharif and Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra. Both combinedly attract millions of tourists every year.
So, before going further, let us understand why this place is called Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra. The true meaning of its name is; A Hut OR Shed, built within two-and-a-half days. So, is that a reason it is called Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra? Well, so many myths and facts revolve around it. But two of them are widely accepted.
- This structure was built within two-and-a-half days. Therefore, it is known by this name. It is just a belief of the people. There is no concrete evidence behind this fact.
- Another reason is; Urs. It is an annual festival which lasts for two-and-a-half days. Consequently, it gives the name to this impressive monument. Archaeological Survey of India's study says this.
So, in short, it is true that the structure was built within two-and-a-half-days, but it is not the reason behind its name. However, this is one of the biggest reasons behind its popularity. You won't believe in your eyes by actually looking at this monument. How can this massive structure be constructed within two-and-a-half-days, that looks so exquisite and always filled with many tourists who visit here from all around the world.
One more reason behind its fame is that: It is a Mosque.
But there are so many mosques not only in the city but also in entire India, then why this mosque is famous? Well, it is popular because it's one of the oldest mosques in entire India. Also, it is said to be the first mosque in the state of Rajasthan. Therefore, it holds religious significance as well, and because of that only, you can find this mosque filled with many devotees apart from other tourists, especially during the special occasion of Urs. The Urs mainly celebrated at Dargah Sharif but, because of the close vicinity, people never ignore visiting Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra. In these two-and-a-half days, the entire region transforms into a bustling place of activities.
Considering it just as a mosque would be an injustice with this great structure because it is not only a mosque but also the oldest monument in India.
So, if you are a person who loves history, and visiting historical places, then this place is for you including, Akbar fort.
By visiting it, you can get to know about the Indo-Islamic history. Every nook and corner of the structure states a similar story of the past. You can also have a glimpse of the Islamic invasion in India. Sources say the fact that earlier it was a Sanskrit College. Destruction of the same by the Muslim ruler gave birth to the current mosque. You may try to listen to every beautiful pillar of it who tells the tale of their destruction in sixty hours, which led to the creation of a new monument.
It is so interesting to know that this structure is neither a fully built nascent monument nor a completely destructed Sanskrit College. You know why? Because the Muslim ruler wanted to destroy the college in its entirety, but failed to complete the task, which is in modern time most popularly known as Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra. It is now open for everyone irrespective of their religion, race, caste, and creed.
You can also appreciate the beautiful carving on the entire structure. Its pillars are especially so mesmerizing, which reflects the Indo-Islamic characteristic of architecture. Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra is a perfect blend of Hindu and Muslim culture. It is a center of Islamic faith and visited by tons of Hindu, Sikh, Christian, and so on, that represents one of the most prominent Indian values, that is Unity in Diversity, which makes the entire city of Ajmer; the safest and peaceful place to visit.
History
The history of Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra is as fascinating as the structure is. The site which we can currently see is as old as 800 years. It is said to be the oldest monument in the city of Ajmer. If we dive deep into the history of the same, we will find the fact that this magnificent structure is not a shed or a hut. Rather, it is a mosque which also holds the second position in the list of the oldest mosques in India.
So, who built the Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra?
There is a years-old history behind its development, which is so interesting. According to the Archaeological Survey of India, this mosque was initially a Sanskrit college under the Chauhan Dynasty as a pre-Islamic architecture. Later in the 12th century, more specifically in 1192 AD, Qutb-ud-Din-Aibak destroyed the old structure and converted it into a mosque. Now, questions occurred in our mind that why is the mosque known as Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra? Is there any history behind its name?
Rather than any history behind its name, there are some notions OR assumptions, sentiments, and opinions of the people. Many people call this place Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra because it was built within two-and-a-half days. Adhai means two-and-a-half, Din means day OR days, and Jhonpra means a Shed or a Hut. However, that is not a genuine reason for its name.
The other reason is that devotees gather at this place to celebrate the festival called Urs, which lasts two-and-a-half-days. Therefore, it is known as Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra. You can get to know about its past and present by actually visiting it.
Architecture
Once you visit, you will also get to witness the exquisite Indo-Islamic style of Architecture. This square-shaped mosque spreads in a large geographical area. You can imagine its size by knowing the numbers of pillars, which are 344. Some of them have been demolished over time, but some still standing and beautifying the mosque. Each of them has been carved beautifully. The interior and exterior design will definitely mesmerize you.
Location
Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra is in the Ajmer city of the state of Rajasthan, India. Though it is the Splendor of the monument, which attracts millions of tourists every year from far and wide with all faith, one more reason why people love to visit this beautiful place, is its location. It is situated at a very prime location in the city because it is situated near the Dargah Sharif, which is also the most visited and a must-visit place in Ajmer. Tourists visit both of the destinations combined.
The entire surroundings of these two sites is a huge market, which is always filled with high voltage of crowd, of tourists and travelers, including pilgrims. The entire region is the most popular hub of economic activities of the city. Therefore, you can easily find some hotels and guest houses to stay in. You can also find some restaurants which offer famous foods of Ajmer.
Best time to visit Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra?
You can visit anytime and make it best or perfect. There is no specific time, which can be declared as the best time to visit. However, if you are the one who does not like a warm climate, then winters would be the best option for you. If you are a person who loves the highly crowded area, then visiting during the Urs will be a good choice.
The entire region transforms into a bustling place of multiple activities and becomes so vibrant, especially after the sunset. It offers a stress-free life, which you should definitely enjoy. Spending some best time here will motivate you to visit other places in the city.
Famous places to visit near Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra
The first place which you should never ignore visiting is-
Dargah Sharif - It is near the Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra, where you can reach within a few minutes. It is the center of faith of all faiths. It is an absolutely divine destination dedicated to Khwaja Moinuddin Chisty, a cherisher of the poor.
Anasagar Lake and Daulat Bagh - Both are adjacent to each other and represent the natural beauty of the city. Anasagar lake is the heart of Ajmer and is the most visible tourist attraction in the city. Boat riding in the lake and a peaceful stroll in the majestic garden of Daulat Bagh is the best thing to do here.
Akbar Fort & Museum - It is one of the best historical places to visit in the city. It's a fort-cum-museum, where you can have a glimpse of years-old Indian history.
You can also visit other religious places like Soni Ji ki Nasiya and Bajrang Garh Temple.
How to reach
By Air - The nearest airport is Kishangarh Airport. You can hire a taxi for the Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra. You can reach without spending much time.
By Bus - by reaching the Ajmer bus stand, either get an auto or hire a personal vehicle.
By Train - after arriving at the Ajmer railway station or Ajmer junction, you can quickly get an auto through which you can reach Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra within a few minutes.
