At the foot of a desolate hill, in the old part of town, is one of India's most sacred shrine for Muslim pilgrims. The Dargah (shrine) is constructed around the tomb of an admired Sufi saint, Khawaja Moinuddin Chisti, who came to Ajmer from Persia in 1192 AD. Construction of the shrine was completed by the Mughal emperor Humayun.
Considered a sacred lake by Hindus, it is believed to cleanse one’s sins and cure skin diseases with a dip in its purifying waters. It is located in the town of Pushkar, amidst the magnificent Aravalli hills. The historical significance of the lake is evident from its mention in Hindu scriptures and on coins as early as the 4th century BC.
These artificial lakes are top tourist attractions in Ajmer. Ana Sagar was built by the grandfather of Prithviraj Chauhan in 1150 AD and is named after him (Ana). It has a pleasant park on its bank, the Daulat Bagh, with a series of marble pavilions erected by Shah Jahan in 1637. Another reservoir, Foy Sagar was constructed in 1892 AD.
A remarkable structure, this is one of the oldest mosques in India and the oldest surviving monument in Ajmer. As the legend goes, its construction took two and a half days (Adhai-Din) to complete. It is said that after defeating Prithvi Raj Chauhan in 1192 AD, Mohammad Ghori ordered his slave to build this mosque so he could offer his prayers.
Also known as GarhBeetli, it is located on top of a 800 feet hill and was constructed in 1113 AD under the reign of King Ajaypal Chauhan. Although in a shabby state today, it was once known for its tunnels crisscrossing the entire hillside. The principal strength of the fort lies in its ruggedness and panoramic view of the entire city.
Nestled in the Pushkar valley, situated beyond Naga Parbat and the Ana Sagar Lake, this temple was built in the 14th century and is considered extremely blessed. Its stature stems from Hindu scriptures linking it to the mythology of god Brahma. It is believed that he, along with other gods and goddesses, performed a Yagna at this site.
