Ajmer

Roughly three hours' drive from Jaipur, the town of Ajmer has a typically Indian past—with Hindu, Muslim, and colonial influences. Founded by Raja Ajay Pal Chauhan in the 7th century, the town was a center of Chauhan power until 1193, when Prithvi Raj Chauhan lost the kingdom to Mohammed Ghori. From then on, many dynasties contributed to making it the fascinating blend of Hindu and Islamic culture is it today. Demographically, Ajmer is primarily a Muslim town, but its proximity to Pushkar gives it a Hindu feel—it has a famous mosque as well as temples, and all pilgrims to Pushkar pass through Ajmer. It also has remnants of colonial-era architecture.

Accommodation options in Ajmer are somewhat limited; most travelers pass through on their way to Pushkar, where there are comfortable places to stay. Ajmer makes a convenient half-day halt, as it's the nearest rail station to Pushkar. The two places are separated by Nag Pahar mountain, across which an 11-km (7-mi) ghat, or mountain pass, traverses.