An oasis in the desert of Rajasthan, the city of Ajmer enchants you with its romantic aura and spiritual charm. The lovely hills and its lush greenery soothe your senses as the mystic air rejuvenates your soul. Once a stronghold of the Rajputs and later of the Mughals, the city still retains the regal charisma, visible in its impressive monuments and structures that have survived the ravages of time. Rendering spirituality to the air of Ajmer is the Dargah of the Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti. This pristine white structure is full of devotees praying for the saint’s blessings. Located at an ideal distance from Jaipur, spend at least 2 days here to soak in the magic that resounds through the air.

• Dargah Khwaja Sahib: The prime attraction of this city, the dargah is the final resting place of the renowned Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti. Ajmer has earned the title ‘Medina of India’ due to the presence of this dargah, which is visited by countless devotees irrespective of their faiths. The structures within the complex are ornately done in white marble and the main tomb of the saint is covered with a canopy fitted with real pearls and embroideries of gold and silver. Some noted buildings within the complex are the Begami Dalaan, the Mazhar of Bibi Hafiz Jamal and Aulia Masjid. The Jama Masjid is an interesting Mughal construction with Koranic verses engraved on the walls. The white-marble Shah Jahan Mosque is another masterpiece done with intricate carving. The silver Jannati Darwaza is said to grant heaven to anyone who walks through the gate 7 times. Similarly watch out for the Langar Khana, which provides food to the poor twice a day.

• Adhai-din-ka-Jhonpra: A masterpiece of Indo-Islamic architecture, the structure has an amazing number of 124 pillars, each of which is different from the other. Verses from the Koran are also inscribed in the walls. The mosque is believed to have been constructed in two and a half days, hence the name.

• Taragarh Fort: Worth visiting in Ajmer is the Taragarh Fort located on top of a hill and the erstwhile site of military activities during the Mughal times. The fort houses the dargah of Miran Saheb, the governor of the fort who gave up his life fighting for the fort. The fort provides panoramic views of the city of Ajmer.

• Akbar’s Palace: This was the residence of Akbar and has now been turned into a museum that houses old weapons, miniature paintings, ancient rock inscriptions, Jain sculptures and stone carvings.

• Mayo College: One of the oldest and the finest boys’ schools in the country, it was established by Lord Mayo, the British Viceroy of India. It was originally meant to impart education to the children of the royalty and today is a premier educational institute in the country. Its building is worth having a look owing to its distinct Victorian style. Along with several avenues for sports, the school also has a museum in its premises.

• Nasiyan Jain Temple: Dedicated to first Jain Tirthankar, this temple is located in the heart of the city. It is one of the finest Jain temples in the country and has a double storeyed sanctum, containing gilded wooden figures from the Jain mythology. The temple is also called Swarna Nagari due to the fact that it houses gold replicas of all famous Jain Temples in the country.

A paradise for foodies, the Dargah Bazaar and Delhi Gate are lined with innumerable small shops selling lip-smacking snacks and meals. A delight for vegetarians is Bhola, which serves filling and tasty vegetarian thalis. Honey Dew and Haveli Heritage Inn are good places to try out a variety of cuisine. Delicious Mughlai fare can be sampled at the Daavat restaurant in Hotel Regency. Indian and Chinese food can be had at Mango Masala Restaurant. A must head out to for those with a sweet-tooth is the Halwai-ki-gali near the Gau Ghat. The stalls and shops here serve mouth-watering jalebies and malpuas as well as snacks like kachoris and samosas.

Ajmer does not have many big branded stores or towering Malls, but that should not disappoint a shopping lover. The best buys here are authentic Rajasthani handicrafts and embroidered garments. Pitchers and urns made of metal and cane make interesting memorabilia to carry back home. If you visit Ajmer during the annual Urs Festival, check out the stalls set around the mosque that sell a wide range of handicrafts. Also, don’t forget to pick up some of the locally made perfumes called Ittar, which are produced in several fragrances.