Ajmer vs Pushkar: overnight

One day in Pushkar is more than enough to see all the sights and to get hassled all the time. Most people staying there for a long time do it because it is a bacpackers-ghetto and has an important drugscene. The town promotes itself as a holy city, but I experienced it as a major tourist trap.
Ajmer has interesting Muslim monuments (at sunset it is possible to hear Qawwali at the Dargah Sharif shrine).

Pushkar is a bit irritating, but I'd stay there just 'cause it's quiter & more scenic than Ajmer & it has lots of hotels & restaurants. You could rent a pushbike or motorbike in Pushkar & visit Ajmer (15 minutes by motor) & the surrounding area from there.

I am not a fan of Ajmer, not that I like pushkar much either.....

Stay in Pushkar, and drink down in Ajmer.....

I liked Pushkar, Ajmer is a bit of a hole unless you are into shrines. Pushkar is a place to kind of relax and accept..

Lots of people go on about what a drug scene Pushkar has, how you get hassled all the time, how it's not worth visiting. I beg to differ, but I guess it depends on what you intend to do. I was there for three days in October, and loved it. Mind you, I'm not into any drug scene at all, and did not stay at any of the backpacker typ- hotels where that might have been a problem. Stayed at the most FANTASTIC place possible - Seventh Heaven, it's called (google it and check out my recommendation on Tripadviser.com). Be firm with those who hassle you but not rude. I found they left me alone fairly quickly. I spent quite a bit of time just sitting on the Ghat steps drinking in the great sights and sounds, trekked up to the top of a hill behind the town to get a wonderful view as the sun was setting, and up another one at daybreak. Sat on the rooftop terrace of the hotel and looked out over the scene below; went to the only Sikh temple in Pushkar and spent ages talking to the caretaker - such a nice man, and really knowledgeable, met a group of children who, sure, tried to pull a fast one and have me supply them all with chappati flour (which they would have sold right back to the shopkeeper again for cash:), but who eventually realized I wasn't going to fall for that one and were in fact great fun to spend a bit of time with as they showed me their town with great pride; met a teacher at the school (I am a teacher myself, so I always visit schools wherever I am!) who took me to his school, where I spent quite a bit of time meeting the students, all keen to practice their English). Anyway, I thought it was a great place to be, because it was small and you could go everywhere on foot. Even 6 months later, my mind is still filled with all the colourful images of Pushkar! I went to Ajmer on the way down to Udaipur, and although the temples there are definitely worth visiting, I'd suggest staying in Pushkar. Have a great time!