A Major Sufi Pilgrimage City
Ajmer, in Rajasthan, is home to the Ajmer Sharif Dargah, the shrine of the revered Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti — one of the most important Islamic pilgrimage sites in India, visited by people of all faiths, not just Muslims. The annual Urs festival, commemorating the saint's death anniversary, draws massive crowds from across the country and beyond.
Beyond the Dargah, Ajmer has a genuinely rich layered history: Ana Sagar Lake, built in the 12th century, sits beside the Mughal-era Daulat Bagh gardens, and Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra is a striking early Indo-Islamic mosque built using pillars and material repurposed from an earlier Sanskrit college — a distinctive architectural fusion.
Ajmer is also the practical gateway town for Pushkar, just around 15 km away, and the two are almost always visited together.
🕌 Ajmer at a Glance
Looking for activities and experiences? See our guide to the best things to do in Ajmer.
Planning a pilgrimage? See our guide to Sufi shrines in India.
Best Time to Visit Ajmer
Comfortable sightseeing weather and the Urs festival calendar are the two main things to plan around.
Cool, comfortable days for exploring the Dargah, Ana Sagar Lake, and the old city on foot.
Held per the Islamic lunar calendar, so dates shift year to year — a powerful cultural experience, but with very large crowds.
Very hot daytime temperatures make sightseeing between the Dargah and lake genuinely tiring.
Occasional rain and greener surroundings around Ana Sagar, with fewer crowds at the Dargah outside festival dates.
Our pick: October to March for comfortable sightseeing, or time a visit to the Urs festival dates for a genuinely powerful, if crowded, cultural experience.
How to Reach Ajmer
- By Rail: Well connected by frequent trains from Jaipur, Delhi, and other major Rajasthan cities — a common Golden Triangle/Rajasthan-circuit stop.
- By Road: Roughly 135 km from Jaipur (about 2.5-3 hours) and easily combined with Pushkar, just 15 km further.
- By Air: Kishangarh Airport, close to Ajmer, has limited flights; Jaipur International Airport offers wider connections.
Dargah, Lake & Mosque
Ajmer Sharif Dargah
The shrine of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, one of the most significant Sufi pilgrimage sites in the world, drawing devotees of every faith. Expect security checks, modest dress requirements, and a genuinely moving atmosphere of devotion.
Ana Sagar Lake & Daulat Bagh
An artificial lake built in the 12th century by Anaji Chauhan, flanked by the Mughal-era Daulat Bagh gardens — a pleasant, relaxed spot for an evening walk away from the Dargah's crowds.
Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra
A striking and historically significant early Indo-Islamic mosque, notable for having been built using pillars and material repurposed from an earlier Sanskrit college and temple complex — a genuinely distinctive architectural fusion.
Where to Stay in Ajmer
Many travelers base themselves in nearby Pushkar instead, but Ajmer itself has a reasonable range of options close to the Dargah and lake.
- → Guesthouses near the Dargah
- → Budget hotels near the railway station
- → Simple lodges in the old city
- → Business hotels near Ana Sagar
- → Comfortable hotels close to the Dargah
- → Lakeside guesthouses
- → Premium hotels overlooking Ana Sagar
- → Heritage-style properties
- → Upscale business hotels
Suggested Visit Plan
Dargah Sharif
- ✓Arrive early to avoid the busiest hours
- ✓Dargah Sharif darshan and surrounding bazaar
- ✓Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra nearby
Ana Sagar & Onward
- ✓Ana Sagar Lake and Daulat Bagh gardens
- ✓Lunch in Ajmer's old city
- ✓Drive on to Pushkar for the evening
* Combine with our Pushkar travel guide for a fuller 2-day plan.
Where to Eat in Ajmer
- Stalls around the Dargah: Simple, affordable food clusters around the shrine's main approach, popular with pilgrims.
- Sohan halwa: A rich, ghee-based sweet closely associated with Ajmer, sold widely across the old city.
- Standard Rajasthani thali: Available at restaurants throughout the city for a fuller meal.
Budget Breakdown
| Expense | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation/night | ₹900 | ₹2,800 | ₹7,000 |
| Food/day | ₹400 | ₹900 | ₹2,000 |
| Local transport/day | ₹250 | ₹600 | ₹1,500 |
| Entry/donations | ₹100 | ₹200 | ₹500 |
| Daily total | ₹1,650 | ₹4,500 | ₹11,000 |
* Figures are per person, per day.
Essential Travel Tips for Ajmer
- Dress modestly and expect security checks: Standard practice at the Dargah given its significance and the crowds it draws.
- Remove footwear before entering: Required at the Dargah and other religious sites in the city.
- Combine with Pushkar: The short drive between the two makes a single 2-day trip easy to plan.
- Plan around Urs festival dates carefully: Extremely large crowds during this period — book accommodation well ahead if visiting then.
✅ Do
- →Dress modestly for the Dargah visit
- →Remove footwear at all religious sites
- →Combine your trip with Pushkar
- →Try sohan halwa before leaving
- →Visit Ana Sagar Lake in the evening
- →Book ahead if visiting during Urs
❌ Don't
- →Wear revealing clothing at the Dargah
- →Arrive without ID during heightened security periods
- →Skip Ana Sagar Lake assuming it's minor
- →Rush the Dargah visit — allow time to absorb it
- →Travel during Urs without pre-booked accommodation
- →Forget to bargain respectfully at old-city stalls
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of Ajmer Sharif Dargah?
It's the shrine of the revered Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti and one of the most important Islamic pilgrimage sites in India, drawing devotees of all faiths, not just Muslims, throughout the year.
When is the Urs festival?
The Urs commemorates the saint's death anniversary and is held annually according to the Islamic lunar calendar, drawing massive crowds of pilgrims from across India and abroad for several days of ceremony.
How far is Pushkar from Ajmer?
Only about 15 km, a short and easy drive over the Aravalli hills, making Ajmer and Pushkar a very natural pairing for a single trip.
Is Ajmer worth a standalone visit or best combined with Pushkar?
Most travelers combine the two — Ajmer's Dargah, Ana Sagar Lake, and Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra make for a full day, and Pushkar's lake and temple town are an easy, worthwhile add-on right next door.
What is the dress code at the Dargah?
Modest dress is expected for all visitors — covered shoulders and legs — and footwear must be removed before entering the shrine complex, with security checks common at the entrance.
What makes Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra unusual?
This early Indo-Islamic mosque was built using pillars and material repurposed from an earlier Sanskrit college and temple complex, creating a striking architectural fusion that's rare even among India's historic mosques.
Published by the Kudozz Club editorial team · Last updated · How we research our guides
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