Top 5 Places to Visit in Ajmer

This is a splendid tomb of the Sufi Saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti, who is revered as one of the greatest relievers of sufferings. Located on the foot of the Taragarh Hill, the Dargah is surrounded by well-maintained gardens and gateways. The main entrance to the tomb is the Buland Darwaza, which is also the site of the hoisting of a white flag to mark the beginning of the Urs Festival. On either side of the Buland Darwaza are two huge degs or cauldrons, in which the tabarruk or holy food is cooked and distributed among the devotees or Urs.

The Mahfilkhana is a hall, which is only used for 6 days to host qawaalis during the Urs festival. A particularly interesting piece of architecture is the silver Begami Dalaan, which is an ornately done portico over the main shrine. As you enter the shrine through this, a typical fragrance of sandal paste and attar, with which the tomb is anointed every day, engulfs you. The main tomb is covered with a canopy fitted with real pearls and embroidered in gold and silver.

A silver railing surrounds the tomb and devotees throng this place to offer flowers, sandalwood paste and incense sticks. Other interesting structures within the dargah complex include the Mazhar of Bibi Hafiz Jamal and Aulia Masjid, both used to recite the holy Koran. An interesting Mughal construction is the Jama Masjid, which has all 99 names of Allah and the 33 Koranic verses carved on the walls. Similarly, the Shah Jahan Mosque is made of white marble and covered in delicate carvings. The Jannati Darwaza, created in silver is opened during Id and Urs and it is believed that walking through the gate 7 times grants you a place in heaven! The Langar Khana is used to provide food twice a day to the poor and the Jahalra is the main source of water in the dargah.

Open from: 5.00 am-3.00 pm; 4.00 pm-9.30 pm

Note – You are required to cover your head when visiting the inner sanctum

Located centrally in Ajmer, this temple is dedicated to the first Jain Tirthankara and is considered one of the finest Jain temples in the country. The main sanctum has a double storeyed hall, which contains gilded wooden figures from the Jain mythology. The hall is decorated with precious stones, silver and gold work. Visit the first floor, which houses amazing gold plated replicas of every Jain Temple in the country – thereby earning it the name Swarna Nagari (city of gold). Carvings of Jain mythology and precious stones adorn the walls and silver balls are hung from the ceilings.

Open from: 8.30 am-4.30 pm

Not a hut, as the name might suggest, but a mosque created in Indo-Islamic style of architecture. It is so called because it apparently took just 2 ½ days to build this edifice! This mosque is built over what was once a Sanskrit learning centre and verses from the Koran are inscribed in its walls. The mosque has a carved tower, which was used to chant prayers and the main hall has lattice-style windows to let sunlight pass through it. The 124 pillars that support the entire structure are unique in the way that no two pillars are the same!

Almost a 30 mins climb beyond the Adhai-Din-ka-Jhopra, this fort is perched on the Taragarh Hill and offers excellent views of the city. The fort was the site of the military activity during the Mughal period and later used as a sanatorium by the British troops stationed at Nasirabad. The fort walls are carved with stone sculptures of elephants and houses a large canon, huge stone water reservoirs and a tomb dedicated to the warrior Miran Saheb.

The erstwhile royal residence of Akbar, today it houses the Ajmer Museum or Magazine. Some of the interesting artifacts on display are old weapons, miniature paintings, ancient rock inscriptions, Jain sculptures and stone carvings.

Open from: 10 am-4.30 pm

Among the most popular lakes and picnic spots is the Ana Sagar Lake, an artificial lake named after Anaji Chauhan. The catchments and adjoining parks are popular hangouts. Foy Sagar Lake is another artificial lake located outside the town.