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Urs Fair, Ajmer
The Dargah Sharif in Ajmer, is the place
where the Saints mortal remains lie burried and is the site of the largest Muslim
Fair in India.
Chadar; Ghilaph & Neema which are votive offerings
for the tomb are offered by several hundred thousand devotees. Mehfils & Qawwalis
are held and mass prayer calls for the eternal peace of the mankind.
An
interesting ritual is the looting of Kheer (Milk Pudding) which is cooked in two
large cauldrons called Degs and distributed to the devotees as tabarruk (blessed
food).
 The
lakeside city of Ajmer is located in central Rajasthan, and is held in great reverence
by devotees of all communities who call it 'Ajmer Sharif' (Holy Ajmer). It is
here that the mortal remains of the highly respected Sufi saint Khwaja Moin-ud-din
Chishti lie buried.
The Khwaja came from Persia and established the Chishtia
order of fakirs in India. He is popularly known as Gharib Nawaz (protector of
the poor) because he dedicated his entire life to the service of mankind.
His
spartan life spanned almost a hundred years and he embraced death in solitude
while he had withdrawn to his cell for six days, asking not to be disturbed.
The
Dargah Sharif in Ajmer is the place where the Saint's mortal remains lie buried
and is the site of the largest Muslim fair in India.
More than five lakh
devotees belonging to different communities gather from all parts of the subcontinent
to pay homage to the Khwaja on his Urs (death anniversary) during the first six
days of Rajab (seventh month of the Islamic calendar.)
The pilgrims who
come to seek the blessings of the Khwaja make rich offerings called nazrana at
the holy spot where the saint has been entombed.
The offerings of rose
and jasmine flowers, sandalwood paste, perfumes and incense contribute to the
fragrance that floats in the air inside the shrine. Also offered by devotees are
the chadar, ghilaph and neema, which are votive offerings for the tomb.
These
are brought by devotees on their heads and handed over to the khadims inside the
sanctum sanctorum. Outside the sanctum sanctorum of the dargah, professional singers
called qawwals in groups and sing the praises of the saint in a characteristic
high pitched voice.
People gather around them and listen attentively,
sometimes clapping to the rhythm of their instruments.
The Urs is initiated
with the hoisting of a white flag on the dargah by the Sajjada Nashin (successor
representative) of Chishtis.
It is done on the 25th of Jamadi-ul-Akhir
(sixth lunar month), with the accompaniment of music. On the last day of the sixth
month, the Jannati-Darwaza (gateway of heaven) is flung open early in the morning.
People cross this gate seven times with the belief that they will be assured a
place in heaven.
On the 1st of Rajab, the tomb is washed with rose water
and sandalwood paste and anointed with perfumes. This ritual is called ghusal.
The tomb is then covered with an embroidered silk cloth by the Sajjada Nashin.
An interesting ritual is the looting of kheer (milk-pudding) which is
cooked in two large cauldrons called degs and distributed to the devotees as tabarruk
(blessed food).
On the 6th of Rajab, after the usual mehfil and the sound
of cracker-bursts accompanied by music, the Sajjada Nashin performs the ghusal
of the tomb.
Fatiha and Salamti are read. A poetic recitation called mushaira
is arranged in which poets of all communities arrive to recite compositions dedicated
to the Khwaja. The Qul (end-all) on the 6th of Rajab marks the end of the Urs.
At night, religious assemblies called mehfils are held in the mehfil-khana,
a large hall meant for this purpose. These are presided over by the Sajjada Nashin
of the dargah.
Qawwalis are sung and the hall is packed to capacity. There
are separate places reserved for women who attend the mehfil. The mehfil terminates
late in the night with a mass prayer for the eternal peace of the Khwaja in particular
and mankind in general.
The Dargah is located at the conjunction of three
bazaars. There are a number of restaurants around the Dargah where visitors can
choose from a variety of dishes most of which are non-vegetarian preparations.
Guest houses on the road leading to the Dargah offer accommodation that
ranges from economical to luxurious.
Many other guest houses are strewn
across the city. The shops in the market around the Dargah sell flowers, prayer
mats, rosaries, textiles, and general merchandise as well.
Urs Fair, Ajmer, Fairs &
Festivals in Rajasthan Reservation Form
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