Crowds of pilgrims in prayer caps under canopies on the approach to the white domed shrine at Ajmer

Religious site · Ajmer, Rajasthan

Ajmer Sharif Dargah

The shrine of Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, Gharib Nawaz, open to people of all faiths

Ambient sound · similar settingStreet vendor calling out in an Indian city street

Photo: khan sultan (@khan_sultan_) / Unsplash

Discover Ajmer Sharif Dargah

In the heart of old Ajmer, beneath the Aravalli hills, the dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti draws pilgrims from across India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and far beyond. Known lovingly as Gharib Nawaz, the benefactor of the poor, the saint is revered by Muslims and by people of many other faiths, and the shrine is famous for welcoming all who come.

Visitors pass through great gateways into marble courtyards scented with rose petals and incense, where qawwals sing devotional songs and pilgrims offer chadars of embroidered cloth at the tomb. It is a busy, emotional and deeply spiritual place, best approached with patience and respect.

Don’t miss

01The saint's domed tomb chamber with its silver railing and marble screen
02Nizam Gate and the Buland Darwaza with its silver doors
03The two great degs (cauldrons) gifted by Akbar and Jahangir
04Shah Jahan's white marble mosque
05Mehfil-e-Sama and qawwali performances

History & culture

The story of Ajmer Sharif Dargah

Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, born around 1141 in Sistan, settled in Ajmer in 1192 and died there in 1236. His shrine grew over the centuries with gifts from rulers: the tomb's dome dates from the fifteenth century, and Emperor Akbar, who walked from Agra to Ajmer after the birth of his son, remodelled the dargah and gave a huge cauldron. Jahangir gave a second, smaller one, and Shah Jahan added a white marble mosque in 1637.

The Nizam Gate, the main entrance, was donated by the Nizam of Hyderabad in 1911, and the Buland Darwaza leads into the inner courtyard. The dargah is administered by the Dargah Committee, a statutory body under the Dargah Khwaja Saheb Act, 1955; the government notes it is the only dargah in India governed by an Act of Parliament.

Local life & traditions

The shrine shapes daily life in old Ajmer, from flower sellers and attar shops to langar kitchens. The Urs, marking the saint's death anniversary, is held from the 1st to the 6th of Rajab in the Islamic calendar and draws vast crowds and a colourful fair; Ajmer is sometimes called the Madina of India.

Things to do

Experience it like a local

Enter through the Nizam Gate and follow the flow of pilgrims to the tomb chamber, where many offer flowers and a chadar. Khadims, the hereditary servants of the shrine, assist pilgrims with prayers and offerings.

Linger in the courtyards to listen to qawwali, see the giant degs where food is cooked for distribution, and visit the mosques within the complex. The surrounding bazaar sells rose petals, attar, sweets and prayer caps.

When to go

October to March offers the most comfortable weather. The Urs (1st to 6th Rajab, its Gregorian dates shift each year) is the most spiritually charged time but also the most crowded. Thursday evenings and Fridays are busy at any time of year.

Plan your visit

Verified information

Opening hours: Winter 5:00 am to 9:00 pm; summer 4:00 am to 10:00 pm (as published by Incredible India) Source: incredibleindia.gov.in ↗
Managing authority: Dargah Committee, a statutory body under the Dargah Khwaja Saheb Act, 1955 (Ministry of Minority Affairs) Source: gharibnawaz.minorityaffairs.gov.in ↗
Urs: Held from the 1st to the 6th of Rajab in the Islamic calendar Source: gharibnawaz.minorityaffairs.gov.in ↗
Nearest railway station: Ajmer Junction (AII) Source: incredibleindia.gov.in ↗

Checked against the sources on 27 October 2026. Opening times and fees can change — confirm before you go.

Travel tips

Carry a scarf or cap: visitors generally cover their heads inside the shrine.
Dress modestly, covering shoulders and legs, and expect to leave shoes at the entrance.
The lanes leading to the dargah are narrow and very crowded; keep valuables secure.
Agree on any offering amounts calmly; donations are voluntary.
Plan for extra time and crowds during the Urs and on Thursday evenings.

General guidance from our specialists, not official information.

Around Ajmer Sharif Dargah: food, markets & places to stay

The bazaar leading to the dargah is lined with shops selling flowers, chadars, attar and sweets, and with eateries serving halal food. The Adhai Din ka Jhonpra mosque ruins are a short walk away, and Ana Sagar lake is in the city. Pushkar lies about 10 km north-west across Nag Pahar. Ajmer Junction station is about 2 km from the shrine.