URS Festival Ajmer
India is a beautifully diverse and mystic country where festivals are celebrated and worshiped as well. The URS Festival Ajmer is one of those mystic celebrations where the death anniversary of Khwaja Moinuddin is commemorated for the first 6 days of the Islamic calendar’s 7th month. The dates of this festival vary on the moon cycle; join in the celebration of the spiritual and festival URS festival this year to attend in Ajmer Sightseeing Tour. For Islamic devotees from all round the world, URS is much awaited and revered. It is mainly celebrated in Ajmer Sharif where lies the mortal remains of the Sufi saint, Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti.
Ajmer Sharif Dargah in Rajasthan is world famous and revered for Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti. The tomb was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan and the Dargah complex has a number of additions from other Nizams and emperors as well. The complex also houses the Ajmer Mosque where pilgrims come to pray to the Khwaja. The sufi saint also known as Khwaja Garib Nawaz was a miracle maker and healer who had come to Ajmer to preach people the Islamic teachings of harmonious living and humanity. The Mughal Emperor Akbar prayed to him for a son and he had Salim who later succeeded Emperor Akbar. It is believed today that prayers are rewarded for those who are pure and earnest at heart.
The URS festival of Ajmer Dargah Sharif is celebrated with Sufi songs and qawwalis, readings from the Quran and other holy Islamic Scripture and prayers for the peace and well-being of humanity. The following is a list of events that occur during URS:
· The festival began a few days earlier on the 25th day of Jamdul Sahani 29th May 2011 with flag hoisting in Buland Darwaza in Agra.
· On the 1st day of Rajab, the celebration of Urs begins with a mehfil-e-sama or musical ceremony with qawwalis in the Ajmer Sharif Dargah.
· The celebration continues with millions of pilgrims and tourists visiting the Dargah and praying to Khwaja and Allah (God). The Holy Shrine remains open almost 21 to 22 hours a day closing for about 2 or 3 hours during the night time.
· The 6th day of celebration is most important. Things that take place in this celebration are morning prayer, Islamic holy books, verse recitals, and turban tying ceremony.
Here are 4 most amazing reasons why you should visit the holy city of Ajmer during the URS Festival –
1. Qawwalis are performed full day & night
Artisans and musicians sit together on a raised platform outside Dargah and sing Qawwalis during the 6th day of Urs Festival. There are special poetry recitation sessions that happen at night where professional singers come and sing devotional songs dedicated to the saint. Proper mehfils are organized in the Mehfil-Khana where Qawwalis are sung to a packed hall.
2. Beautiful votive offerings grace the Dargah
During the Urs Festival in Ajmer, devotees bring rose and jasmine flowers, sandalwood paste, and incense sticks as offerings or “nazrana” at the Dargah. There is also a ritual of offering neema, gilaph, and chadar, brought on the heads by the devotees at the shrine.
3. Cauldrons of Kheer are cooked
An interesting ritual of Urs in Ajmer is the Kheer-making ceremony. The sweet rice and milk pudding are cooked in large cauldrons known as Degs. Later, it is distributed to the devotees who flock to pay homage to the Dargah as tabarruk.
4. Brilliant display of fireworks takes place
A spectacular display of fireworks takes place during the Urs Festival. The sky shimmers with sparkling lights and is accompanied by music. On the final day of the festival, the show of cracker-burst is grand.
So, when visiting Ajmer Dargah Sharif in Ajmer Sightseeing, then plan it around Urs. However, make sure to book your Ajmer trip with us to have a memorable journey in the city.