Ajmer is a picturesque city as it surrounds the tranquil lake of Ana Sagar, and is itself ringed by the rugged Aravalli hills.
Ajmer is located 135 km (84 miles) west of Jaipur and lies 391 km from Delhi. Situated in a basin at the foot of Taragarh Hill (870 m) and surrounded by a stone wall with five gateways, Ajmer was founded in the late 7th century AD by Ajayraj Singh Chauhan, the head of the Chechi Gurjars clan.
Ajmer is a popular Rajasthan city as it is a pilgrimage centre for the shrine of the Sufi saint, Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti and is also the base for visiting Pushkar, a Hindu pilgrimage city located 15 km north-west of Ajmer. It is Rajasthan’s most important site in terms of Islamic history and heritage. As well as some superb examples of early Muslim architecture, Ajmer is also a significant centre for the Jain religion, possessing an amazing golden Jain temple.
Many visitors are discouraged by the frantic hustle of Ajmer on first arrival, but it’s worth taking time to explore this underrated city.
Is Ajmer worth visiting while in Pushkar, do I need to hire a car?
You can get a crowded local bus to Ajmer but it can be hard to find the bus stop back to Pushkar once leaving Ajmer (ask the locals). Alternatively, you can look at an auto-rickshaw from near the bus stop or private car organised through your guest house.