One of the most visited places of Ajmer; the Ajmer Dargah is a Sufi shrine which is believed to be one of the holiest places in Rajasthan. Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, who was a Persian Sufi saint, is enshrined in this place owing to his secular preaching’s. He is believed to be the descendant of Muhammad, and it is on his request that he came to India. It is believed that if you pray for anything with a pure heart at the Ajmer Dargah, it is bound to be fulfilled.

Ajmer Sharif Location

Address: Ajmer Dargah, Ajmer, Rajasthan 305001

Hours: 

• During winters, gates are open from 5 AM to 9 PM
• During summers, gates are open from 4 AM to 10 PM.

Highlights of Ajmer Dargah

This prestigious shrine built by the Mughal Emperor Humayun features a series of huge doors boasting beautiful carvings while you enter the dargah. All these doors are made of pure silver, and the intricate carvings are a treat to watch. Once you reach the courtyard, you can get a glimpse of the tomb of the pious saint, Moinuddin Chishti which is carved out of marble. On the top of the dargah, there is gold plating, guarded by a railing that is made out of pure silver and marble. There is a sense of peace and serenity inside the premises of dargah that you would not find anywhere else!

How to Reach Ajmer Dargah

Ajmer in Rajasthan is a well-connected city. It is connected to almost many famous cities in the country either by rail, road or air. 

By Air: The Jaipur airport is the closest to the city of Ajmer. From the airport, you can either hire a taxi or take a bus to reach the Ajmer Sharif Dargah.

By Rail: The Indian Railway Network is one of the most well-connected services in India. There would be regular trains from essential places in the country to Ajmer, either directly or by a change in two trains to help you reach the city. From the station, you can book a cab or take a local bus to reach the Ajmer Sharif Dargah.

By Road: Though hiring a cab is an option, it would be advised to take regular buses that ply between important cities to Ajmer regularly. There would be direct buses to Ajmer from Delhi, Jaipur, Jodhpur, and Jaisalmer that will help you reach the destination. From the bus stop, you can take a taxi or another local bus to reach the Ajmer Dargah. 

Nevertheless, the ideal way to reach the Dargah would be to take a flight to Jaipur and take a bus from Jaipur to Ajmer. From there you can proceed either in a cab or a local bus. This is by far the most comfortable way to reach the Ajmer Dargah.

About Ajmer Dargah

Located about 2 kms away from the main Ajmer Railway Station, the Ajmer Sharif Dargah is a popular holy place in Ajmer. At the foot of the prestigious Taragarh Hill is this shrine located, which attracts pilgrims from various places across the country. It contains several buildings made of white marbles around the two courtyards and also includes a massive gate that is donated by the Nizam of Hyderabad and even the Akbari Mosque which was constructed by the prestigious Mughal Emperor named Shah Jahan. 

The Nizam Gate at the entrance is the main gate to the shrine which is followed by the Shahjahani Gate. Following this gate is the Buland Darwaza upon which the ‘urs’ flag is hoisted to mark the beginning of Moinuddin Chishti’s death anniversary rituals. The ‘urs’ for the Sufi saint Moinuddin Chishti is celebrated every year on the 6th and 7th days of the Rajab. Dewan Syed Zainul Abedin is the present Spiritual Head of the shrine of Ajmer Dargah. He is the direct descendant of Khawaja Moinuddin Chishti in the 22nd generation. Till date, around 150,000 pilgrims visit the dargah every single day as a mark of their gratitude towards the holy shrine. 

Apart from the dargah, you can also visit the Nasiyan Temple in Ajmer which is believed to be its Golden Temple. This two-story temple is a beautiful creation that is decorated beautifully with precious stones amidst pure gold and silver. You can also go on camel rides on the sands of Pushkar to explore the place in a much better way.

Interesting facts about Ajmer Dargah

• When Hazrat Khawaja Moinuddin Chishti was ruling the place, Dargah was the main source of water. One of the monuments inside the dargah known as the Jahalra was the primary source of water. Even today, it is used for all the rituals that were performed within the premises of the dargah.
• Out of all the residents, Muhammad Bin Tughluq was the first person to visit the prestigious Dargah Sharif of the Hazrat Khawaja Moinuddin Chishty Ajmeri in the year 1332.
• Devotional singers in the Ajmer Sharif’s hall dedicate qawwalis praising Allah after the namaaz is offered. This practice happens in the mehfil-e-same inside the Dargah.
• Long ago, a water carrier named Nizam Sikka had saved the life of the Mughal Emperor Humayun. As a token of gratitude, he was permitted to rule the Mughal Empire for an entire day. Till date, the tomb of Nizam Sikka exists within the Dargah Sharif.
• Inside the Dargah, a significant amount of food is prepared during the night and distributed to the public in the form of tabarruk. Tabarruk means a blessing which is given after the morning prayers.
• Over 33 Quranic verses alongside the 99 sacred names of Allah have been beautifully inscribed on the Jama Masjid, which is a treat to the eyes.