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in solitude while he had withdrawn to his cell for six days, asking not to be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.
