Ajmer is one of the major cities in the Indian state of Rajasthan and is the centre of the eponymous Ajmer District. Surrounded by the Aravalli Mountains, it is a pilgrimage centre for the shrine of the Sufi Saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti and is also the base for visiting Pushkar (11 km), an ancient Hindu pilgrimage city, famous for the temple of Brahma. Ajmer has been selected as one of the heritage cities for the HRIDAY – Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana scheme of Government of India.
Ajmer is Rajasthan’s most important site in terms of Islamic history and heritage. It contains one of India’s most important Muslim pilgrimage centres, the shrine of Khwaja Muin-ud-din Chishti, who founded the Chishtiya order, the prime Sufi order in India.
The ‘Dargah Sharif’ in Ajmer is held in great esteem by devotees of all communities. Khwaja Moin-ud-din Chishti had come from Persia and established the Chishtia (Sufi) order at Ajmer, India. Khwaja Moin-ud-din Chishti was so popular among the masses that his followers cut across all the religions. He was popularly known as ‘Gharib Nawaz’ (protector of the poor) as he dedicated his life to the service of mankind.
Khwaja Moin-ud-din Chishti left for heavenly abode in 1256 AD after a six day prayer in seclusion. To commemorate those six days, the annual Urs, which is attended by innumerable pilgrims irrespective of their faith, is held at Ajmer every year. The shrine (Dargah Sharif) is considered to be a place where wishes of everyone are fulfilled. During the medieval period Akbar, the great Mughal emperor also visited the Dargah Sharif and sought blessings for his son.
The Dargah Bazaar leads to the inner courtyard of the Dargah Sharif. The high gateway of the Dargah has beautifully carved silver doors. In the courtyard there are two huge cauldrons. The grave of Khwaja Moin-ud-din Chishti is surrounded by a silver railing and is partially covered with a marble screen. The prayer room for women devotees at the Dargah was built by the daughter of Shah Jahan, the Mughal king. In the premises of the Dargah Sharif there are tombs of Khwaja’s daughter, Bibi Hafiz Jama and the tomb of Shah Jahan’s daughter.
Located about 11 kilometres from Ajmer, Pushkar is also an important religious destination. It is famous for Pushkar Lake and the 14th century Temple at Pushkar, dedicated to Lord Brahmā, according to the Padma Purāņa, Pushkar is the only place where Lord Brahmā may be worshipped.
Source:
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/india/rajasthan/ajmer
http://www.culturalindia.net/indian-pilgrimage/ajmer-sharif.html