Ajmer is venerated as a holy place for both Hindus and Muslims. It has the mausoleum of the Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, a great Sufi saint who came to Ajmer from Persia in 1192.

Known as the Dargah Sharif and Khwajia Sharif, the last resting place of the saint who died in 1235 after a six-day prayer in seclusion. These six days in the month of May are celebrated every year as the annual Urs which is attended by innumerable pilgrims irrespective of their faith. The grave of the Sufi Saint is surrounded by a silver railing and is partially covered with a marble screen.

The shrine is considered to be a place of wish fulfilment for those who pray with devout and pure hearts. The saint’s marble domed mausoleum receives an endless flow of pilgrims of all religions as the sick, the troubled and the childless come here seeking a boon, a blessing or just peace of mind. It is said that emperor Akbar, after conquering Chittaurgarh in 1567, paid his first visit to the shrine as a token of thanksgiving. His second trip was made after he had his first son and later, he visited the Dargah annually.

The entry to the Dargah is through the Dargah Bazar that leads to the inner courtyard. The mausoleum has a gigantic gate, which was built by the Nizam of Hyderabad. The high gateway has beautifully carved silver doors. In the courtyard are kept two huge cauldrons with capacity of 2240 kg and 4480 kg.

On special occasions, 'Kheer' (sweet rice garnished with dry fruits and condiments to be served as ‘tabarukh’ or sanctified food.) cooked in these cauldrons and is distributed among the pilgrims.

Within the dargah lies a mosque, built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. Like all of Shah Jahan’s buildings, the mosque too, is an architectural marvel - a magnificent building in white marble with a long and narrow courtyard for the faithful to pray in, richly embellished with ornate calligraphic inscriptions, delicate carvings and detailed trelliswork. 

The daughter of Shah Jahan had built a prayer room in the Dargah for the women devotees.