India GOAjmer: where it is and what it is famous for
Ajmer is a city in the middle of Rajasthan, 135 km south-west of Jaipur and 15 km from Pushkar, set against the Aravalli hills. It is famous above all for the Dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, the Sufi shrine that has drawn pilgrims of every faith for eight centuries, and it has a history to match: a Chauhan capital, a Mughal court and a British province.
Ajmer is in the state of Rajasthan (North India).
Dargah Sharif790y
pilgrims at Urs500KRajasthan's great Sufi city gathers around the marble Dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, where qawwali music and rose petals draw pilgrims of every faith. Lakeside pavilions sit below, and Pushkar waits just over the hill.
Where is Ajmer?
Ajmer is a city in Rajasthan, in north-west India, and the headquarters of Ajmer district and Ajmer division. It lies near the middle of the state, which is why it is called the Heart of Rajasthan, on the lower slopes of Taragarh Hill in the Aravalli range, at about 486 m above sea level.
The distances that matter to a traveller:
- Pushkar: about 15 km, just over the Nag Pahar ridge; local buses run every 15–30 minutes.
- Jaipur: 135 km, about two hours by train or bus.
- Delhi: about 5.5–6.5 hours by train; Ajmer Junction is a major stop on the Delhi–Ahmedabad line.
- Kishangarh Airport: 27 km, the nearest airport (see Ajmer airport).
What Ajmer is famous for
The Dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti
Ajmer Sharif, the shrine of the Sufi master known as Gharib Nawaz, "benefactor of the poor", who made Ajmer his home and died here in 1236. The shrine is open to people of every faith, and has had devotees of every creed for centuries. The emperor Jahangir wrote that he visited the tomb nine times while he was in Ajmer. Qawwali is part of the daily life of the shrine; more on qawwali in Ajmer.
The Urs
The anniversary of the saint's death is kept for six days at the start of the Islamic month of Rajab: 11–16 December 2026 (expected). Around five lakh pilgrims come, the shrine stays open almost round the clock, and qawwals sing every night. Because the date follows the lunar calendar, it moves about eleven days earlier each year.
Ana Sagar Lake
A 12th-century lake in the middle of the city, with Mughal marble pavilions and gardens on its shore. See lakes in Ajmer.
Two monuments of the 12th century
Taragarh, the Chauhan hill fort above the city, is among the oldest hill forts in India. Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra, was begun as a mosque in 1192 on pillars taken from an earlier Sanskrit college and temples; its seven-arched calligraphic screen was added in 1213.
Sohan halwa
The city's own sweet, cooked for hours in a copper pan and sold by weight in the shops beside the Dargah. See Ajmer sweets.
Facts from Ajmer's history
- The name — Ajmer began as Ajayameru, "the invincible hill", after Taragarh Hill. It was founded by a Chahamana (Chauhan) king called Ajayaraja and was the Chauhan capital until the late 12th century.
- The lake — Ana Sagar was built in 1135–1150 by Arnoraja, the grandfather of Prithviraj Chauhan, the 12th-century ruler of Ajmer.
- The Mughals — Akbar took Ajmer in 1556 and made it the capital of a province; his palace of 1570 now houses the Government Museum. Jahangir held court here, and it was in Ajmer that he received Sir Thomas Roe, the envoy of James I of England. Shah Jahan's children Jahanara and Dara Shikoh were born in the city.
- The British — The British took control in 1818, and Ajmer became the headquarters of the province of Ajmer-Merwara. The municipality of 1866 is the oldest in Rajasthan. Mayo College, founded for the sons of Rajputana's ruling houses, has a main building of 1875 that is a textbook example of Indo-Saracenic architecture.
- A state of its own — After independence in 1947 Ajmer was a separate state with its own legislature, and joined Rajasthan only in 1956.
Languages and people
The city speaks Hindi, Rajasthani and Urdu. Little English is spoken, so a translation app helps. The 2011 census counted 542,321 people in the city itself.
FAQ
Which state is Ajmer in?
Rajasthan. Ajmer lies near the centre of the state, about 135 km south-west of Jaipur.
Is Ajmer in Uttar Pradesh?
No. Ajmer is in Rajasthan; it has been part of the state since 1956.
Why is Ajmer famous?
For the Dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, the Sufi shrine open to people of every faith, and its yearly Urs. It is also the gateway to Pushkar, 15 km away.
Is Ajmer Sharif the same as Ajmer?
Ajmer Sharif is the usual name of the Dargah, the shrine in the old town; the city itself is simply Ajmer.
How far is Ajmer from Pushkar?
About 15 km over the Nag Pahar ridge. Local buses leave the main bus stand every 15–30 minutes and take 30–40 minutes.
When is the best time to visit Ajmer?
October to March. May and June are very hot, and during the Urs the city is at its most crowded.
Sources (4)
Facts checked: 15 October 2026. Prices and hours are approximate; check locally.
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