Urs Fair (Ajmer)

Located in central Rajasthan, Ajmer is the place where devotees from all religions gather from all parts of the country and world to pay homage to the Khwaja Moin-ud- din Chishti. Especially during the Urs Fair, the lakeside city of Ajmer where the fair is organized in the memory of Khwaja Moin-ud-din Chishti, devotees come not only from the various cities of Rajasthan, rather from all parts of the country. The fair is dedicated to Sufi saint on his death anniversary, which is organized during the first six days of Rajab (seventh month of the Islamic calendar).

The holy lakeside city of Ajmer is called as 'Ajmer Sharif' (Holy Ajmer) where the mortal remains of the saint lie buried in the Dargah Sharif (memorial of the saint) known as Chishti ki Dargah. Today, the Dargah Sharif in Ajmer is the place where the largest Muslim fair in India is organized as Urs to pay homage to the Khwaja on his Urs (death anniversary). Khwaja Moin-ud-din Chishti is also famous by the name of Gharib Nawaz, the defender of the poor, came from Persia and established the Chishtia community of fakirs in India. He spent his whole life to the service and welfare of mankind. During his last breath of his life, he retired to his cell and died in complete peace and seclusion.

A large number of pilgrims and devotees from different communities gather at the shrine of the saint at the time of the Urs Fair of Ajmer and make rich offerings called 'nazrana' at the righteous spot where the saint has been buried. Devotees come to urge to the Khwaja and request his blessings at the place where the remains of the Saint now rest. The offerings ('nazrana') include rose and jasmine flowers, sandalwood paste, perfumes, incense, etc. that floats in the air inside the shrine. One who gets his/her wishes fulfilled, along with accompanies, carries chadar, ghilaph and neema on their heads and handed over to the inside the sanctorum at the Dargah. You will enjoy seeing the 'qawwals' (professional singers who perform musical extravaganza)) outside the sanctum sanctorum of the dargah who sing Sufi songs in the praises of the saint in a characteristic high pitched voice.

At night, spiritual assemblies called ' Mushairaas' are held in the 'mehfil khana', a large hall meant for this purpose. The Qul (end-all) on the 6th of Rajab marks the end of the Urs. It is obligatory to take away the shoes, before entering, at the main gate.