Urs Festival

Fast Facts
Venue: Ajmer, Rajasthan
Significance: Religious Fair
Duration of Festival: 6 weeks
Month of Celebration: June
Next Date of Event: June2011, June 2012 2012
Reaching There: Ajmer is connected by road to Jaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Udaipur and Kota. Ajmer is also connected with rails through Western Railway. During the Urs, special buses ply from cities all over India.

Rajasthan has many revered shrines of Hindus, Jains and Muslims. One of the major Muslim Shrines in Rajasthan is at Ajmer, the revered Dargah Sharif. The dargarh becomes a place of activity during the days of Urs celebrations. It is considered the biggest Muslim Fair in India. Celebrated on first six days of the seventh month of the Islamic calendar, known as Rajab, the fair attracts many pilgrims.

. Not only Muslims abut Hindus also come here to offer their prayers and seek blessings. Dargah Sharif of Ajmer, also called as Chishti ki Dargah, houses the mortal remains of the venerated Sufi saint, Khwaja Moin-ud-din Chishti. The Urs Fair commemorates the death anniversary of the Saint.

Hailing from Persia, Khwaja Moin-ud-din Chisti started the Chistia cult of Fakirs in India. He left the mortal body in 1256 A.D. after a seclusion of six days at the place where the present day Dargah stands. Khawaja is deemed as “Garib Nawaz” - the protector of the poor as he spent his entire life serving the suffering humanity. To thank and to observe his death anniversary, hordes of pilgrims beeline the site. Pilgrims render rich offerings to the holy saint like sandalwood paste, roses, perfumes, jasmine flowers, incense.

Attractions of Urs
Devotees to the Dargah believe that if they whole heartedly and piously, then their wishes would be granted. As a result, thousand of followers gather and offer their prayers. The fair is inaugurated by the Sajjada Nashin (successor representative) of Chistis with a white flag hoisting on the dargah. The first day of Rajab is marked as Ghusal, when the tomb is washed with rose water sandalwood paste and anointed with perfumes which is later covered by a embroidered silk sheet.

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The entire city is in festive mood and is decorated all over. The local markets look bright with all kinds of stuffs including sweets, religious goods and vibrant fabrics. The divine essence of Dargah comes alive with the sweet smells. The quawwals (singers) sing the glory of the saint and these celebrations unify people all across the country.

The sufi singers sing the ballads and even women attend the mehfils held at night in a separate zenana (ladies) quarter. The sixth day of the month of Rajab and the last day of Urs si for Qul ceremony. People start gathering the Holy Tomb after the morning prayer. They recite Quran, Darood, Shijra-e-Chishtia and other verses for happiness and prosperity.