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Ajmer
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
city · India

Ajmer

Recommended stay: 1 day
Getting around: Ajmer town is compact enough to walk around the dargah and market areas, with autos covering the rest, including the 15-minute ride out to Pushkar which many visitors combine into the same trip. Ajmer railway station is a major junction, so it's an easy stop on a Delhi-Jaipur-Udaipur rail route. Buses and shared jeeps run frequently to Pushkar and to Kishangarh airport, the nearest airstrip.
Hours: The Ajmer Sharif Dargah is open daily from around 4am to 9pm or later during festivals; Thursday nights draw the biggest crowds for qawwali. Ana Sagar Lake's promenade and the Daulat Bagh gardens are open through daylight hours.

Ajmer is built around the dargah of Sufi saint Moinuddin Chishti, one of the most visited Islamic shrines in South Asia, drawing pilgrims of every faith who come for its urs (death anniversary festival) and its Thursday night qawwali sessions. The atmosphere around the dargah, with its huge iron cauldrons used for communal cooking and constant flow of pilgrims, is unlike anywhere else in Rajasthan.

Most travellers see Ajmer as an add-on to Pushkar, 15 minutes away by road, rather than a standalone stop, and that's a reasonable way to plan it given how little time the dargah itself takes. The Adhai-din-ka-Jhonpra mosque nearby, built from a repurposed Sanskrit college using Jain and Hindu temple pillars, is a striking (and underrated) piece of architecture worth the short detour.

Ajmer FAQs

Do I need to cover my head to enter the Ajmer Dargah?

Yes, both men and women should cover their heads; scarves are sold or lent at stalls right outside the entrance.

Can non-Muslims visit the Ajmer Sharif Dargah?

Yes, it welcomes visitors of all faiths and is in fact visited heavily by Hindus alongside Muslims.

How far is Ajmer from Pushkar and can I do both in a day?

About 15 km, a 20-30 minute drive; most travellers combine both comfortably in a single day trip.

Is Ajmer worth visiting if I've already been to Pushkar?

The dargah itself is a strong enough reason on its own, and the Adhai-din-ka-Jhonpra mosque is a distinct architectural sight not found in Pushkar.

What should I avoid buying from touts near the dargah?

Be wary of anyone pushing 'special' donation offerings or guided access claims for extra money; official donation boxes are inside the shrine and no middleman is needed.

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