138
inscriptions and stone sculptures that date back to the 8th century.
4 Sleeping
Haveli Heritage Inn HOTEL $ (%2621607; www.haveliheritageinn.com; Kutchery Rd; r ₹650-1850; a) Set in a 140-year-old haveli,
R A JASTHAN E A S T E R N R A J A S T H A N
this is a welcoming city-centre oasis and arguably Ajmer’s best budget choice. The high-ceilinged rooms are spacious, simply decorated, air-cooled and set well back from the busy road. There’s a pleasant, grassy courtyard and the hotel is infused with a family atmosphere, complete with home-cooked meals.
Badnor House GUESTHOUSE $$ (%2627579; www.badnorhouse.com; Civil Lines; d incl breakfast ₹2500, ste ₹2800; a) This guest-
house provides an excellent opportunity to stay with a delightful family. The down-toearth hospitality includes three new heritage-style doubles and an older-style, spacious and comfortable self-contained suite with a private courtyard. Mansingh Palace HOTEL $$$ (%2425956; www.mansinghhotels.com; Circular Rd; s/d from ₹4600/5400, ste ₹9000; ais)
This modern place, on the shores of Ana Sagar, is rather out of the way, but has attractive and comfortable rooms, some with views and balconies. The hotel has a shady garden, a bar and a good restaurant, the Sheesh Mahal.
Hotel Ajmeru HOTEL $ (%2431103; Khailand Market; s/d from ₹500/600, with AC ₹900/1100; a) This hotel with a veg
restaurant and small tidy rooms can be found just past the narrow Kotwali Gate off Prithviraj Marg. It’s convenient to the train station, Jain Temple and Dargah.
5 Eating
Honeydew MULTICUISINE $$ (%2622498; Station Rd; mains ₹90-290; h9am11pm) The Honeydew offers a great selection
of veg and nonveg Indian, Chinese and Continental food in a pleasant, clean, relaxed, but overly dim, atmosphere. It has long been one of Ajmer’s best, and is the restaurant of choice for Mayo College students’ midterm treat. The ice cream, milkshakes and floats will keep you cool. Madina Hotel NORTH INDIAN (Station Rd; mains ₹30-100; h9am-11pm)
Handy if you’re waiting for a train (it’s opposite the station), this simple, open-
$
to-the-street eatery cooks up cheap veg and nonveg fare, with specialities such as chicken Mughlai and rumali roti (huge paper-thin chapati). Elite VEGETARIAN $ (%2429544; Station Rd; mains ₹50-105; h11am11pm) Elite has a welcoming ambience
attracting families to feast on the town’s best value thali (₹66), as well as South Indian and tandoori veg.
8 Information
Bank of Baroda (Prithviraj Marg) Changes travellers cheques and does credit-card advances. Bank of Baroda ATM (Station Rd) By the entrance to Honeydew restaurant. HDFC ATM (Sadar Patel Marg) Main post office (Prithviraj Marg; h10am-1pm & 1.30-6pm Mon-Sat) Less than 500m from the train station. Satguru’s Internet (60-61 Kutchery Rd; per hr ₹20; h9am-10pm) State Bank of India (Civil Lines) Changes travellers cheques and foreign currency and has an ATM. Tourist Reception Centre train station (h9am-6pm); RTDC Hotel Khadim (%2627426; h9am-6pm Mon-Fri);
8 Getting There & Away
Bus There are frequent RSRTC buses of various grades and comfort leaving from the busy main bus stand to destinations listed in the following table. Fares quoted are for express and/or AC services either Gold Line or Volvo. The enquiry number is %2429398. In addition, there are numerous private buses to these destinations – many companies have offices on Kutchery Rd. DESTINATION
FARE (₹)
Agra
232
DURATION (HR)
10
Ahmedabad
311
13
Bharatpur
195
8
Bikaner
155
8
Bundi
110
5
Chittorgarh
115
5
Delhi
265/570 AC
9
Indore
250
12
Jaipur
110/200 AC
2½
Jaisalmer
315
10