One Day Trip to Ajmer & Pushkar

A full-day excursion to Ajmer and Pushkar, two holy cities of different faiths.

Visit Ajmer and Pushkar, twin towns located 135 km apart and south-west of Jaipur. Ajmer is regarded as one of the holiest sites for the Muslims faith, while Hindus see Pushkar as a sacred spot.

Tour Essential Info

Approx one way distance: Ajmer 140 km or 2 hrs & Pushkar is 14 km or 30 min drive from Ajmer
Route: 6-lane Express National Highway (NH) No. 8
Sedan (4+1 capacity):
Innova (6+1 capacity):
Tempo Traveller (8 to 12 capacity):

Highlights

Explore twin holy cities of Ajmer and Pushkar.
Visit the Dargah Sharif of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti.
Know about traditional Hindu practices at Brahma Temple, one of kind temple.
Get involved in a puja ritual: a religious offering to Hindu divinities.
Hotel pickup and drop-off by private, air-conditioned vehicle.

Tourist Attractions

Dargah Sharif at Ajmer; Brahma Temple & Lake Ghats at Pushkar

Tour Duration

Proposed departure from Jaipur: 0900 hr; same day return by 1800 hr

Tour Itinerary

You journey will start from Jaipur and then head to Ajmer to visit the Ajmer Sharif Dargah, an important religious site for Sufi pilgrims.
Also, you may visit the Jain temples in Ajmer and Adhai Din Ka Jhopra (another masterpiece of Indo-Islamic architecture)
Have a lunch break in suggested restaurant..
Next up you will be driven to Pushkar, which is 15 km drive from Ajmer.
Upon arrival you may visit the following suggested places:
- Brahma Temple
- Pushkar Lake
- Explore Pushkar town - Varah Temple, Maan Mahal
After the completion of your tour, you will be heading back to Jaipur.

Ajmer

Ajmer, surrounded by the Aravali hills was ruled by emblematic figure of Rajput heroism, Prithviraj Chauhan - Raja of Delhi and Ajmer After his death, it finally was annexed to the Mughal crown under the Emperor Akbar and in the 19 century; it became the base for the British Chief Commissioner for Rajputana. Mayo College, opened in 1875 exclusively for the Indian princes today is one of India finest schools.

Because of the shrine, Dargah Sharif, Ajmer is also called the Mecca of India. It is the final resting place of the Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti, a direct descendant of Ali, the son in law of the Prophet Mohammad, the founder of Islam religion.

Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti also lovingly called Khwaja Sahib’s compassion for the poor, irrespective of caste and creed earned him the epithet of Garib Nawaz.

The Mughal Emperor Akbar, who had no son made a pilgrimage bare foot from Agra to Ajmer to the Saint’s tomb to pray for an heir. Blessed with the birth of a son, Salim (future Emperor Jahangir), Akbar began to make regular annual pilgrimages to Ajmer to meditate at the tomb of the venerated Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti. A mosque was built in honour of the Khwaja. The Mughal emperors, in move to legitimise their dynasty, made Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti the patron saint of their lineage and the dargah of Ajmer their dynastic sanctuary.

The shrine is approached through an imposing gateway (about 21 m high). The attractions here include the Buland Darwaza, the two huge degs (cauldrons, one 3m in circumference), the silver Jannati Darwaza, Jami Masjid and Begum Dalaan.

In the inner courtyard is the white marble tomb with a domed roof. The ceiling is gold embossed and silver railing and gates enclose the tomb.

Visitor Information:

Timing: 0500 - 2100 hr, remains closed daily from 1500 - 1600 for cleaning of premises & 1830 -1900 hr for prayers.
Entry Fee: No entry fee
Visit Duration: Around two hr
For the foodie: must-have Sohan Halwa, Kadi Kachori; Mutton Korma, Kebabs and other Mughlai dishes at Dargah Bazaar

Pushkar

Pushkar, designated by the name Tirthraj that means the King of the Tirtha (Holy Places) has the only temple consecrated to Lord Brahma in India.

The temple houses a four-faced black image of Brahma whose eyes are encrusted with silver. The temple is guarded by a finely carved marble gateway before the silver sanctuary doors. The marble floor inset with hundreds of silver rupees coins placed by devotees to commemorate the birth and death of their loved ones surrounds a silver turtle - the God carrier.

Pushkar owes its divine and miraculous origin to the lake created by Lord Brahma.
One of India’s most sacred lakes, Pushkar Lake is believed to mark the spot where the lotus thrown by Brahma landed when he was performing a yagna (a ritual fire ceremony). The lake is believed to be created by Brahma by combining the waters of Chardham–Badrinath, Jagannath, Rameshwaram and Dwarka. Devotees take the dip in the sacred water of this lake in their quest for purification and salvation after death.

The town clusters around Pushkar Lake or Sarovar and innumerable small temples and 52 ghats (sacred bathing places) hug the holy lake. Immediately next to the ghats runs the Main or Sadar Bazaar extending till the Brahma Temple with an array of shops offering beads, bangles, embroidery, leather goods, mirror work, saddles, bags and utensils. The town is surrounded on three sides by Nag Pahar and Aravali hills and towards the north there are some sand dunes.

The 52 ghats of the lake teeming with sadhus, pandas (priests) and the pilgrims is the most familiar site. It is common to watch visitors squatting by Vanshavalis to find from their records the names of their ancestors and offering rose petals and coconut to the holy lake. Such offerings to invoke the ancestors are believed to be most auspicious. Though the pandas (priests) may try to bully you but donate and pay only what you wish to.

The exuberant Pushkar Fair in October-November at Pushkar is world famed.
The clear blue sky, beautiful sand dunes, cactus vegetation makes a perfect background for the Camel Safari ride in Puskar. Experience a wonderful ride and witness the most scenic views of the desert sitting on the back of the camel. You can also befriend the camel and feed them, while you indulge in this unique ride. A ride on the mighty back becomes more fun if you get a chance to spot the mirage - a sight very common in the deserts.

Visitor Information:

Timing: 0630-2030 hr daily, closed between 1330-1530 hr
Entry Fee: No entry fee
Visit Duration: Around one hr
For the foodie:must-have Poha, Rabdi Mal Pua, Wood Fired Pizza, Momos and European coffee

AC cabs / taxis are available for sightseeing:

Booking a cab is a suitable option to explore the sightseeing places in and around the city at any time. We have a wide range of cabs which include Toyota Etios, Toyota Innova, Toyota Innova Crysta, Tempo Traveller, Bus and in luxury segment we have Fortuner, Audi, BMW and Limo in Jaipur.