Ajmer today
Ajmer Junction (station code AII) is the main railway station of Ajmer and the rail gateway to two of India's great pilgrimage sites: the Dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti in the city, and Pushkar, a short distance to the west. It falls within the North Western Railway zone and heads the Ajmer division.
Ajmer through the years
Ajmer has been a railway town for 150 years:
- 1875: the Rajputana State Railway's metre-gauge line from Delhi via Bandikui is extended to Ajmer, and later onwards to Ahmedabad (1881).
- 1876: the foundation of the Ajmer railway workshop is laid; it is established in 1877 to repair and build steam locomotives, carriages and wagons for the Rajputana–Malwa metre-gauge system.
- 1884: a separate carriage and wagon workshop is built.
- 1885: management of the Rajputana–Malwa Railway passes to the BB&CI Railway.
- 1990s: the Delhi–Jaipur–Ajmer–Ahmedabad route is converted to broad gauge.
- 2007: the line towards Chittaurgarh and Ratlam is converted to broad gauge.
India's first home-built locomotive
Ajmer's workshops hold a special place in Indian engineering history. In 1895, Ajmer Works produced the first steam locomotive built entirely in India. Between 1896 and 1949 the workshop built 467 steam locomotives, a remarkable record for its time.
Lines
Ajmer sits on three main routes, New Delhi–Ahmedabad, Jaipur–Ahmedabad and Ajmer–Chittaurgarh, with broad-gauge branches in four directions:
- north to Phulera Junction, towards Jaipur and Delhi
- south-west to Beawar, towards Ahmedabad
- south to Chittaurgarh
- west to Pushkar Terminus
Tracks and platforms at Ajmer
There are 6 platforms on 10 tracks, some 464 metres up.
Trains at Ajmer
Ajmer is linked to Delhi by Shatabdi and Vande Bharat services, and has express trains to Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Mumbai and across India. Shatabdi and Vande Bharat timings to Delhi are on the train timings page.
Festival travel
The annual Urs of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti draws pilgrims from across South Asia, and the Pushkar camel fair attracts visitors from around the world. Expect crowded trains and special services during both.
Travel tips
- The Dargah is in the old city, a short ride from the station; the final approach is on foot through narrow lanes.
- For Pushkar, check trains to Pushkar Terminus, or take a bus or taxi over the hills.