The city of Ajmer has a structure with a striking significance known as Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra, affiliated with Islam. It is one of the oldest mosques in India and the oldest surviving monument in Ajmer. It should definitely be one of the PLACES TO VISIT IN AJMER. All the beauties of this place, including this Jhonpra, are available in various AJMER PACKAGES.
The Jhonpra is an example of an early Islamic structure that was first built by Abu Bakr of Herat and again by Qutb-ud-Din-Aibak in 1192 CE. Iltutmish of Delhi in 1213 CE further completed the structure. Hindu masons constructed most of the building. A large number of architectural pieces and sculptures of temples are still lying on the veranda of the complex.
Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra was built by:
Seth Viramdeva Kala, in 660 CE, originally built the site as a Jain shrine to celebrate Panch Kalyanaka. The original building was then partially destroyed by Qutb-ud-Din-Aibak of Delhi in the late 12th Century. After defeating Prithiviraj III in the second battle of Tarain. Mohammad of Ghor eyed the temple and ordered his general Qutb-ud-Din-Aibak to destroy it and build a mosque there itself in just 60 hours. Since the craftsmen could not build it in 60 hours, they built a brick screen wall where Ghori could pray.
Significance of Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra:
There are different meanings behind the name 'Adhai din ka Jhonpra.' One of which could be the fact that the mosque was built within 2½ days, which is 60 hours as ordered by the Mohammad of Ghor. At the same time, some believe, especially Sufis, that the name signifies the temporary nature of the life of a human on earth.