Ajmer travel guide — Dargah Sharif of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, Adhai Din ka Jhonpra, Ana Sagar Lake, gateway to Pushkar 15km away. Best time.
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Ajmer is one of India's most significant pilgrimage cities — home to the Dargah Sharif of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, one of the most important Sufi shrines in the world, drawing millions of Muslim pilgrims and devotees of every faith each year. Set at the foot of the Aravalli hills in Rajasthan, Ajmer is also the gateway to Pushkar — the sacred Hindu city of the Brahma Temple and the famous camel fair — just 15 km away. The two cities together offer one of Rajasthan's richest religious and cultural circuits.
Ajmer (from Ajayameru — unconquered hill) is one of Rajasthan's oldest cities, founded in the 7th century CE by the Chahamana (Chauhan) rulers and later captured by Muhammad of Ghor in 1193. Under Mughal rule, Ajmer became extremely important — Emperor Akbar visited the Dargah on foot from Agra in 1568 and established it as one of the Mughal court's most venerated pilgrimage sites. The city retains strong Mughal architectural and cultural influence.
The Dargah Sharif — the shrine of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, the 12th-century Sufi saint who came to India from Persia and established the Chishti Sufi order in South Asia — is the spiritual heart of Ajmer and one of the most visited religious sites in the Indian subcontinent. The saint died in Ajmer in 1236 CE, and the Dargah complex that grew around his tomb has been expanded over centuries by Mughal emperors, local nawabs and devotees. It is visited by an estimated 5–10 million pilgrims annually, of all religions — a testament to the universality of Sufi devotion.
Ajmer is surrounded by the Aravalli Range and sits on the edge of the Thar Desert. The city has a complex urban character: the old city around the Dargah and bazaar is dense and atmospheric, the British-era cantonment area (where Mayo College — one of India's oldest elite boarding schools — is located) is leafy and colonial, and the lakeside promenade around Ana Sagar provides a calmer civic space.
October to March is the best period — temperatures range from 10–25°C, the skies are clear and the Dargah is most accessible in winter. The Urs festival — the annual commemoration of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti's death anniversary (observed in the Islamic lunar month of Rajab, typically falling in January–March in the next few years) — is the most important event in the Dargah calendar, drawing hundreds of thousands of pilgrims for 6 days of qawwali music, langar (communal meals) and prayers. During Urs, accommodation fills completely and prices spike — book 2–3 months ahead.
November is also the time for the Pushkar Camel Fair (15 km away) — if combining Ajmer and Pushkar, this is the optimal time, though accommodation in both cities is very difficult to find. April to June is extremely hot (38–45°C, sometimes touching 48°C in May) — not recommended. July to September monsoon brings some rain (Rajasthan gets less than the western coast) and lower prices. Dargah visits continue year-round regardless of season.
Dargah Sharif of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti — the spiritual centre of Ajmer, located in the old city. The complex has multiple gateways (the Nizam Gate and Buland Darwaza are the main ceremonial entrances), the Akbari Masjid (built by Akbar), two enormous cauldrons (degs) in which rice cooked with sugar and ghee is distributed as tabarruk (blessed food) to pilgrims, and the inner sanctum housing the saint's tomb (mazar) covered in a floral chadar. Non-Muslims are warmly welcome — dress modestly (cover head, remove shoes at the entrance). Qawwali performances by hereditary musicians (khadims) take place in the inner courtyard morning and evening. Entry to the Dargah is free; offerings (chaadar, rose petals) can be purchased at the gate bazaar.
Adhai Din ka Jhonpra — a partially ruined but architecturally magnificent mosque complex 500 m beyond the Dargah, built in 1199 CE by Qutb ud-Din Aibak from the materials of a demolished Hindu temple (some original Sanskrit inscriptions and temple columns are visible within). The screen wall with its seven pointed arches is among the finest examples of early Indo-Islamic architecture in India. Far fewer visitors come here than to the Dargah — it is quiet, contemplative and photogenic.
Ana Sagar Lake and Daulat Bagh — a large artificial lake created by Anaji (Arnoraja) Chauhan in the 12th century and expanded by Akbar and Shah Jahan. The Daulat Bagh garden on the lake's edge features marble pavilions (barahdaris) built by Emperor Jehangir and Shah Jahan — peaceful spots to sit and enjoy the lake views. Rowboats and paddleboats are available for hire (₹50–100). Evening walks along the lake promenade are popular with locals.
Taragarh Fort — perched on the highest Aravalli hill above Ajmer (870 m), Taragarh (Star Fort) was once considered one of the most formidable fortresses in Rajputana. The fort is partially ruined but the views over Ajmer and across to Pushkar are extraordinary. Also contains the dargah of Miran Sahib (a Muslim governor). The climb takes about 45 minutes from the city on foot or by vehicle on a rough track. No entry fee; open at all hours.
Government Museum Ajmer (Rajputana Museum) — housed in the Akbari Fort complex (where Akbar is said to have received news of the birth of Prince Salim/Jehangir), the museum has Mughal and Rajput sculptures, coins, armour and manuscripts. Entry ₹10–15. Compact and worth 45–60 minutes.
Pushkar (15 km) — the sacred Hindu city of Pushkar is so close that it is almost mandatory to combine both on any Ajmer visit. Pushkar has the rare Brahma Temple (one of very few Brahma temples in India), 52 ghats on Pushkar Lake (considered among the most sacred lakes in Hinduism) and the famous Pushkar Camel Fair in November (usually Kartik Purnima, one of the largest fairs in Asia). The Ajmer–Pushkar road takes 20–30 minutes by car; shared autos and buses also ply this route.
By train: Ajmer Junction (AII) is very well connected — it is on the main Delhi–Ahmedabad rail line. Key trains from Delhi: Shatabdi Express from Hazrat Nizamuddin (4h 20m, very comfortable), Delhi–Ajmer Express (6h), Aravali Express (7h overnight). From Mumbai: multiple trains via Ratlam or Ahmedabad take 17–20h. From Jaipur: frequent trains (2h). From Jodhpur (2.5h) and Udaipur (5–6h). The railway station is close to the old city — auto-rickshaws to the Dargah area cost ₹40–80.
By air: Kishangarh Airport (KQH), 30 km from Ajmer, is the nearest airport with scheduled services — IndiGo operates flights from Delhi (1h 10m) and a few other cities. Services are limited; check current schedules. Jaipur International Airport (JAI, 135 km) has far more connections (Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kolkata) and is a reliable option — road or taxi to Ajmer takes 2.5h (₹2,500–3,000).
By road: Ajmer is 391 km from Delhi (6–7h on NH 48 via Jaipur) and 440 km from Mumbai (8–9h via Vadodara on the expressway, then NH 48). Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation (RSRTC) Volvo buses run from Delhi and Jaipur (₹500–900). From Jaipur, frequent government and private buses cover the 135 km in 2–2.5h.
Near Dargah (budget-mid range) — the old city around the Dargah has dozens of guesthouses and small hotels catering to pilgrims. Mansingh Palace (heritage, Ana Sagar lakeside, from ₹5,000), Hotel Haveli Heritage (heritage, city centre, from ₹3,000) and Hotel Prithviraj (from ₹1,500) are mid-range options. Budget dharamshalas near the Dargah offer basic but clean accommodation from ₹300–1,000.
Upmarket — Ana Sagar lakeside has the best-positioned hotels. The Hub (boutique, lake views, from ₹4,500) and Hotel Regency (from ₹3,000) are the most comfortable non-heritage options. For a luxury experience, many visitors stay in Pushkar (15 km) at properties like Dera Masuda, Pushkar Palace or RTDC Sarovar, which offer superior heritage facilities compared to Ajmer's hotel stock.
Practical tip: During Urs (pilgrimage festival, dates vary by Islamic calendar) all accommodation within 30 km sells out. Book several months ahead. A tent city operated by the state government is set up during Urs. For Pushkar Camel Fair (November), most travellers book tent camps in Pushkar itself.
Ajmer's food culture is shaped by its Mughal and Rajput heritage. Near the Dargah bazaar, Muslim food predominates — try nihari (slow-cooked mutton stew), biryani, sheer khurma (vermicelli milk dessert) and the famous Ajmeri namkeen (spiced savoury snacks) sold in the bazaar shops. Purani Dilli ka Khana near the Dargah gate is well-regarded. The Hindu vegetarian food scene in the market area includes Rajasthani dal baati churma, kachori and sweets at Jai Hind Mishthan Bhandar.
At the Dargah, visitors of all religions are welcome. Dress codes: wear full sleeves, cover the head (scarves available at entry gates for women and men), and remove shoes before the inner courtyard. Hereditary caretakers (khadims) at the Dargah may approach you to perform a brief fatiha prayer; you may accept or politely decline. The gate bazaars sell rosewater, chaadar (floral cloth offerings), ittar (perfume) and Dargah mementos. Bargaining is normal for non-consumable items. Photography of the inner sanctum and of mourning pilgrims should be done discreetly with sensitivity. Mobile signals are good throughout the city on Jio and Airtel.
Yes — the Dargah Sharif is open to visitors of all religions and is an explicitly inclusive shrine. Thousands of Hindu, Sikh and non-Muslim Indian pilgrims visit daily. Dress modestly, cover your head at the entrance (scarves are available for free or for a small donation), and remove shoes at the inner gateway.
Pushkar is 15 km from Ajmer — about 20–30 minutes by road through the Nag Pahar mountain pass. Private taxis cost ₹400–600. Shared autos and local buses also run from the bus stand. The short drive through the Aravalli hills is scenic. Many travellers stay in Pushkar and day-trip to Ajmer.
The Urs (death anniversary commemoration) of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti is observed in the Islamic lunar month of Rajab — the date shifts each year in the Gregorian calendar. The 6-day festival features qawwali, langar, and special prayers. Over 1 million pilgrims attend. Check the MP Tourism or Dargah Khwaja Saheb website for current year dates.
The Ajmer Shatabdi Express from Hazrat Nizamuddin (NZM) is the fastest and most comfortable — it takes 4h 20m and departs early morning. The Ala Hazrat Express and Aravali Express are good overnight options. Ajmer Junction (AII) is well inside the city, convenient for the Dargah.
No. While the Dargah Sharif is primarily a Sufi Muslim shrine, it draws pilgrims of all faiths. Ajmer also has important Hindu heritage including the Adhai Din ka Jhonpra mosque (on the site of a former Hindu/Jain college), Taragarh Fort, and Ana Sagar Lake. And neighbouring Pushkar (15 km) is one of Hinduism's most sacred cities.
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