Ajmer Sharif Dargah is the shrine (tomb) of the Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, known as Gharib Nawaz, "the helper of the poor", in the old city of Ajmer, Rajasthan. He came to Ajmer in 1192 and died here in 1236. Today it is one of the most visited shrines in South Asia, open to people of every faith, with up to about 20,000 pilgrims on a normal day and around a million during the yearly Urs.
Ajmer Sharif Dargah at a glance
| Location | Dargah Bazaar, old city, Ajmer, Rajasthan 305001 |
| Shrine of | Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti (Gharib Nawaz), Sufi saint, died 1236 |
| Timings (winter) | About 5 AM to 9 PM |
| Timings (summer) | About 4 AM to 10 PM |
| Entry fee | Free; offerings are voluntary |
| Open to | People of all faiths |
| Time needed | 1 to 2 hours; longer on Thursdays, Fridays and during the Urs |
| Distance | About 1 km from Ajmer Junction railway station |
| Next Urs | 815th Urs expected in December 2026, on the first six days of the Islamic month of Rajab |
Who was Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti?
Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti was a 12th–13th century Sufi saint who brought the Chishti order of Sufism to India. He settled in Ajmer in 1192 and spent the rest of his life here, teaching love, tolerance and service to the poor. That is why people call him Gharib Nawaz. He died in March 1236, and his tomb became a place of pilgrimage for rulers and ordinary people alike.
History of the Dargah
The shrine grew over eight centuries. Sultan Iltutmish visited in 1232, while the saint was still alive. The white marble dome over the tomb dates to 1532. The Mughal emperor Akbar came on pilgrimage about fourteen times and rebuilt the sanctum in 1579. Jahangir, Shah Jahan and Jahanara all added to the complex, and the Nizam of Hyderabad gave its main gate in 1911.
What to see inside the Dargah
- Nizam Gate: the grand main entrance on Dargah Bazaar, gifted in 1911 by Mir Osman Ali Khan, the 7th Nizam of Hyderabad.
- Shahjahani Gate: built by Shah Jahan as the complex grew.
- Buland Darwaza: a tall gateway built by Sultan Mahmud Khalji of Malwa. The Urs begins when a flag is raised on top of it.
- The degs: two giant cooking cauldrons in the courtyard. The bigger one was given by Akbar in 1568 and the smaller one by Jahangir in 1614. Both are still used to cook food (langar) for pilgrims.
- The tomb (Mazar Sharif): under the white marble dome, where pilgrims offer chadars (cloth covers) and rose petals.
- Jannati Darwaza: a silver-covered door near the tomb that is opened only on special occasions.
- Jama Masjid: a white marble mosque built by Shah Jahan in 1637; the red sandstone Akbari Masjid is also in the complex.
- Mehfil Khana: the 1888 hall where qawwals gather; it opens mainly during the Urs.
Qawwali and daily rituals
Qawwali, devotional Sufi music, is sung in the courtyard most evenings, and especially on Thursday nights. At sunset, the khadims (the hereditary caretakers of the shrine) carry large candles to the tomb for the Dua-e-Roshni, the lamp-lighting prayer. After the night qawwali the tomb is swept and the shrine is locked until the pre-dawn prayer.
Urs Ajmer Sharif 2026
The Urs is the yearly festival marking the saint's death anniversary. It is celebrated with joy rather than mourning, because Sufis see death as union with God. It lasts six days, ending on the 6th of Rajab in the Islamic calendar. Because that calendar follows the moon, the Urs moves about 11 days earlier each year. The 814th Urs was held in December 2025, and the 815th Urs is expected in December 2026; the exact dates depend on the sighting of the Rajab moon.
During the Urs the Dargah stays open almost all day and night, with qawwali every night. Around a million people visit, so book hotels and trains early and expect heavy security and closed roads around Dargah Bazaar.
Tips for visiting
- Cover your head: both men and women. Caps and scarves are sold in Dargah Bazaar.
- Dress modestly and remove your shoes before entering; there are shoe stands near the gates.
- Carry as little as possible: there are security checks at the gates, and crowds near the tomb are tight.
- Offerings: chadars, flowers and sweets are sold outside. Everything is voluntary; agree on any price before buying.
- Go early: early morning is the quietest time. Thursday evenings and Fridays are the busiest.
- Look after your belongings in the crowd, and keep children close.
How to reach Ajmer Sharif Dargah
- From Ajmer Junction railway station: about 1 km, 5 to 10 minutes by auto-rickshaw, or a walk through the market.
- From Jaipur: about 135 km by road on NH-48, around 2.5 hours.
- From Pushkar: about 15 km over Nag Pahar, around 30 minutes.
- Nearest airports: Kishangarh, about 30 km away, and Jaipur International, about 135 km away.
- Near the Dargah: the lanes of Dargah Bazaar are narrow, so vehicles stop short of the gate; walk the last part.
Places near Ajmer Sharif Dargah
- Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra – a 12th-century mosque a short walk uphill from the Dargah
- Akbar Fort Museum – Akbar's palace, now a government museum
- Nasiyan Jain Temple – the famous gold-gilded Jain temple
- Ana Sagar Lake – Ajmer's 12th-century lake, best at sunset
- Sohan halwa – Ajmer's famous sweet, sold in the shops of Dargah Bazaar
- Ajmer street food guide – where to eat near the Dargah
Frequently asked questions
Whose dargah is in Ajmer?
Ajmer Sharif Dargah is the shrine of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, the Sufi saint known as Gharib Nawaz, who died in Ajmer in 1236.
What are the Ajmer Sharif Dargah timings?
About 5 AM to 9 PM in winter and 4 AM to 10 PM in summer. During the Urs it stays open almost all day and night.
Can non-Muslims visit Ajmer Sharif?
Yes. The Dargah is open to people of all faiths, and visitors of every religion come to pray and make offerings.
Is there an entry fee?
No. Entry is free. Chadars, flowers and other offerings are voluntary.
When is the Urs at Ajmer Sharif in 2026?
The 815th Urs is expected in December 2026, ending on the 6th of Rajab. The exact dates are fixed by the sighting of the moon.
Do I need to cover my head?
Yes. Men and women should cover their heads inside the Dargah. Caps and scarves are sold in Dargah Bazaar.
Last updated: November 2026 by the Apna Ajmer team.