Ajmer

Ajmer is a bustling city, 80 miles (130km) southwest of Jaipur and just 8 miles (13km) from the Hindu pilgrimage town of Pushkar. It surrounds the expansive lake of Ana Sagar, and is itself ringed by the rugged Aravalli Hills. Ajmer is Rajasthan’s most important site in terms of Islamic history and heritage. It contains one of India’s most important Muslim pilgrimage centers, the shrine of Khwaja Muin-ud-din Chishti, who founded the Chishtiya order, the prime Sufi order in India. As well as some superb examples of early Muslim architecture, Ajmer is also a significant centre for the Jain religion, possessing an amazing golden Jain temple. However, with Ajmer’s combination of high-voltage crowds and traffic, especially during Ramadan and the anniversary of the saint's death, most travelers choose to use Ajmer as a stepping stone to laid-back Pushkar.

Explore Ajmer

D
Dargah of Khwaja Muin-ud-din Chishti
This is the tomb of Sufi saint Khwaja Muin-ud-din Chishti, who came to Ajmer from Persia in 1192 and died here in 1236. The tomb gained its significance…
S
Soniji Ki Nasiyan (Red) Temple
This marvellous Jain temple, built in 1865, is also known as the Golden Temple, due to its amazing golden diorama in the double-storey temple hall. The…
Adhai-din-ka-Jhonpra
Beyond the Dargah of Khwaja Muin-ud-din Chishti, on the town outskirts, are the extraordinary ruins of the Adhai-din-ka-Jhonpra mosque. According to…
A
Ana Sagar
This large lake, created in the 12th century by damming the River Luni, reflects the surrounding Aravalli Hills on its languid, oily surface. On its bank…
T
Taragarh
About 3km and a steep 1½-hour climb beyond the Adhai-din-ka-Jhonpra mosque, the ancient Taragarh commands a superb view over the city. Built by Ajaipal…
A
Akbar’s Palace
Mughal emperor Akbar built this imposing building in 1570, partly as a pleasure retreat, but mainly to keep an eye on pesky local chiefs. Only part of the…
G
Government Museum
Akbar’s Palace houses the small government museum, with a collection of old weapons, miniature paintings, ancient rock inscriptions and stone sculptures…
J
Jubilee Clock Tower
This solid clock tower was built to commemorate Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee in 1887.

D
Dargah of Khwaja Muin-ud-din Chishti
This is the tomb of Sufi saint Khwaja Muin-ud-din Chishti, who came to Ajmer from Persia in 1192 and died here in 1236. The tomb gained its significance…
S
Soniji Ki Nasiyan (Red) Temple
This marvellous Jain temple, built in 1865, is also known as the Golden Temple, due to its amazing golden diorama in the double-storey temple hall. The…
Adhai-din-ka-Jhonpra
Beyond the Dargah of Khwaja Muin-ud-din Chishti, on the town outskirts, are the extraordinary ruins of the Adhai-din-ka-Jhonpra mosque. According to…
A
Ana Sagar
This large lake, created in the 12th century by damming the River Luni, reflects the surrounding Aravalli Hills on its languid, oily surface. On its bank…
T
Taragarh
About 3km and a steep 1½-hour climb beyond the Adhai-din-ka-Jhonpra mosque, the ancient Taragarh commands a superb view over the city. Built by Ajaipal…
A
Akbar’s Palace
Mughal emperor Akbar built this imposing building in 1570, partly as a pleasure retreat, but mainly to keep an eye on pesky local chiefs. Only part of the…
G
Government Museum
Akbar’s Palace houses the small government museum, with a collection of old weapons, miniature paintings, ancient rock inscriptions and stone sculptures…
J
Jubilee Clock Tower
This solid clock tower was built to commemorate Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee in 1887.

Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Ajmer.

See
Dargah of Khwaja Muin-ud-din Chishti
This is the tomb of Sufi saint Khwaja Muin-ud-din Chishti, who came to Ajmer from Persia in 1192 and died here in 1236. The tomb gained its significance…
See
Soniji Ki Nasiyan (Red) Temple
This marvellous Jain temple, built in 1865, is also known as the Golden Temple, due to its amazing golden diorama in the double-storey temple hall. The…
See
Adhai-din-ka-Jhonpra
Beyond the Dargah of Khwaja Muin-ud-din Chishti, on the town outskirts, are the extraordinary ruins of the Adhai-din-ka-Jhonpra mosque. According to…
See
Ana Sagar
This large lake, created in the 12th century by damming the River Luni, reflects the surrounding Aravalli Hills on its languid, oily surface. On its bank…
See
Taragarh
About 3km and a steep 1½-hour climb beyond the Adhai-din-ka-Jhonpra mosque, the ancient Taragarh commands a superb view over the city. Built by Ajaipal…
See
Akbar’s Palace
Mughal emperor Akbar built this imposing building in 1570, partly as a pleasure retreat, but mainly to keep an eye on pesky local chiefs. Only part of the…
See
Government Museum
Akbar’s Palace houses the small government museum, with a collection of old weapons, miniature paintings, ancient rock inscriptions and stone sculptures…
See
Jubilee Clock Tower
This solid clock tower was built to commemorate Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee in 1887.

Guidebooks

Purchase our award-winning guidebooks

Get to the heart of Ajmer with one of our in-depth, award-winning guidebooks, covering maps, itineraries, and expert guidance.