Introduction to Ajmer: Ajmer is very dear to the Muslims of India. It is one of their holiest cities thanks to the presence of the Dargah (tomb of a Sufi Saint) of Moin-ud-din Chishti. It is one of the very few Rajasthani places that came directly under the rule of the British. At the heart of the city lies the Ana Sagar Lake which tends to dry up in the summer. Unfortunately, Ajmer faces a major scarcity of water every summer.

Sightseeing: Dargah The tomb of the great Sufi saint Khwaja Moin-ud-din Chishti is revered by both Hindus and Muslims. Sufi saints like Moin-ud-din Chishti and Salim Chishti tried to bring Hindus and Muslims together by preaching the gospel of peace, love and brotherhood. Built at the foot of a hill through the old town, it attracts most pilgrims during the month of Ramzan (Ramadan). Khwaja Chishti came to Ajmer from Persia in 1192. The dargah was built by the Mughal Emperor Humayun with some later additions by Emperor Akbar. It is believed that the Sufi saint granted Akbar the boon of a son who later came to be Emperor Jahangir. The main entrance to the dargah is through Dargah Bazaar which is a lane crowded with tiny shops selling religious trinkets.

Ana Sagar This man-made lake lies at the centre of the city and was created by making a dam over River Luni. However, the lake shrinks in size every summer as Ajmer faces an acute shortage of water. Along its bank is the lovely Daulat Bagh built by Emperor Shah Jahan. Walking along the lake in the evenings is very pleasant.

Adhai-din-ka-Jhonpra Near the outskirts of the city, stands the Adhai-din-ka-Jhonpra Mosque built in 1153 by Mohammed Ghori. Its name literally translates as the Mosque of Two-and-a-half Days. There are many stories about how the mosque got its name. According to one, it was built in 2 ½ days flat, while another suggests that it was named after a festival that lasted for 2 ½ days. As with most earlier mosques, this one too was built from the masonry of existing Hindu temples.

Taragarh About 3km from the mosque, a 1 ½ hour climb takes you to Taragarh. Built by the Rajput king Ajaipal Chauhan, Taragarh offers lovely views of the surrounding countryside. The fort was used as a sanitarium when the British took control of Ajmer.

Akbar's Palace (City Museum) Close to the main post office in the city stands an old building that was once the residence of Emperor Akbar. It is believed that Akbar made an annual pilgrimage to Khwaja Moin-ud-Din Chishti dargah from Agra. Constructed in 1570, the palace is now home to a museum that displays stone sculptures, old weapons and miniature paintings.

Nasiyan Temple Meaning the Red Temple, this dates back to the 19th century. The temple is celebrated for its large wooden figures from Jain mythology.