Urs Ajmer Sharif
The
urs, acommomerative celebration is held in the solemn memory of Khwaja Muin-nddin
Chisti, a prighly respected sufi saint fondly revered as the benefactor of the
poor, popularly known as Gareeb Nawaz. 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in solitude while he had withdrawn to his cell for six days, asking not to be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.
Ajmer is 132 kms. south-west of Jaipur
and 198 kms. east of Jodhpur. It is connected by road to Jaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner,
Udaipur and Kota. Ajmer is a railway junction on the Delhi-Ahmedabad section of
the Western Railway. During the Urs, special buses ply from cities all over India
carrying people to Ajmer and back.
" Urs Ajmer Sharif, Rajasthan Fairs &
Festivals
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