Best places to visit in Ajmer

Ajmer Sharif Dargah — the shrine of 13th-century Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti — is India's most important Islamic pilgrimage site, drawing over 3 million visitors annually of all faiths, including Hindus and Christians. The massive silver-doored complex with its white marble shrines, the Buland Darwaza, and the fragrance of incense and rose petals create an overwhelmingly spiritual atmosphere. The annual Urs festival (death anniversary, May–June) draws hundreds of thousands. Free entry.

Ana Sagar Lake is an 11th-century artificial lake on the outskirts of Ajmer — built by Anaji, grandfather of Prithviraj Chauhan, and later beautified by Shah Jahan with the elegant Daulat Bagh garden and marble pavilions (baradari). The lake's scenic promenade, the marble pavilions reflected in the water, and the Aravalli hills backdrop create one of Rajasthan's most atmospheric lake settings. A top Ajmer evening and photography destination offering tranquil walks and sunset views.

Taragarh Fort is a magnificent 7th-century hilltop fortress towering above Ajmer at 870 m — one of the oldest hill forts in India, with massive walls, a sacred dargah of Sayyed Husain on its summit, and commanding views of Ajmer city and the Ana Sagar Lake. Known as the "Star Fort" for its shape, it was a strategically vital fortress controlling the passes to Rajputana. A strenuous but rewarding 2 km uphill trek offers one of Rajasthan's finest panoramic heritage viewpoints.

Adhai Din ka Jhonpra is one of India's most important Islamic monuments — a 12th-century mosque built in just two and a half days (adhai din) by Muhammad of Ghor's commander, using the stones of demolished Hindu and Jain temples. Its remarkable calligraphic carvings, seven-arched screen, and Indo-Islamic architectural fusion make it an extraordinary heritage site. Just behind the Dargah Sharif in Ajmer, it is an essential stop for architectural historians and heritage travellers in Rajasthan.

Akbar's Palace Museum (Government Museum Ajmer) is a magnificent 16th-century Mughal palace built by Emperor Akbar as his administrative headquarters during his Rajput campaigns — now housing an impressive collection of Rajasthani armour, sculpture, old paintings, and artifacts. The oldest Mughal monument in Rajasthan outside Agra, its robust red sandstone construction and strategic position near the Dargah make it a top Ajmer heritage attraction. Entry fee applies. Open Tuesday to Sunday.

Nasiyan Jain Temple (Soniji ki Nasiyan) in Ajmer is a breathtaking 19th-century Jain temple famous for its extraordinary Swarna Nagari Hall — a large double-storey golden room with incredible gilded wooden figures depicting scenes from Jain cosmology, including flying celestial beings, gem-studded trees, and golden replicas of sacred mountains. One of India's most ornate and unusual temple interiors. A top Ajmer heritage and art attraction. Entry fee for the Hall; temple free.

Foy Sagar Lake is a picturesque reservoir 5 km from Ajmer, built by engineer Mr Foy in 1892 as a famine relief project — now a serene recreational lake surrounded by Aravalli hills with views of distant Taragarh Fort. A popular Ajmer evening destination for bird watchers (flamingos and migratory birds in winter), sunset photography, and peaceful lakeside walks. Far less visited than Ana Sagar, it offers a quieter and more natural alternative for nature lovers exploring Ajmer.

Mayo College is one of India's most prestigious and architecturally magnificent public schools — founded in 1875 by Lord Mayo, Viceroy of India, originally as a school for Indian princes. Its Indo-Saracenic masterpiece campus, white marble main building, and cricket grounds rank among India's most impressive heritage educational campuses. Known as the "Eton of the East," its alumni include maharajas, prime ministers, and military chiefs. The college hosts limited visitor access; its exterior is a top Ajmer photography attraction.