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Hindu Ashrams/Organizations
Urs Festival
Urs - Ajmer, Rajasthan
The Urs are held at Ajmer, Rajasthan every year at the tomb of the Sufi Saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti, commemorating his symbolic union with God. The Urs, commemorative celebration is held in the solemn memory of Khwaja Muin-nddin Chisti, a sprightly 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 buried and is the site of the largest Muslim Fair in India.
Pilgrims from all over the world gather to pay homage. Qawalis (poems) are
presented in the saint's honour and religious assemblies (mehfils) and 'fatihas'
(mass prayers) are held. The lakeside town of Ajmer also called Ajmer Sharif
(holy) comes alive during the Urs which attracts thousands of devotees
irrespective of caste,
religion etc. At the huge fair
the largest Muslim fair in India that springs up at this time, religious
objects, books, rosaries, embroidered carpets and silver ornaments are on
sale.
Chadar; Ghilaph & Neema, which are
votive offerings for several
hundred thousand devotees offer the tomb. 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he embraced death in solitude while he had withdrawn to his cell for six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 Sajjada Nashin
then covers the tomb with an embroidered silk cloth.
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.
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. Guesthouses
on the road leading to the Dargah offer accommodation that ranges from
economical to luxurious. Many other guesthouses 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. Southwest 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.