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he had withdrawn to his cell for six days, asking not to be disturbed.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. Cash offerings are also made. 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' sit 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. Cash is
also offered in appreciation of noteworthy stanzas to the qawwals. On the
steps leading to the main gate, 'fakirs' can be seen begging for alms in the
name of the Khwaja. Their cries generally do not go in vain, as the devotees
feel happy to help the needy, in the tradition of Khwaja Gharib Nawaj.
THE BAZAARS
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.
Members of all communities have access to the dargah. It is compulsory to
remove the shoes, before entering, at the main gate. Within the dargah
premises, the head of the pilgrim should be covered at all times. Many
visitors engage the services of Mujavirs who take their patrons around the
dargah, fetch them 'tabarruk' and are duly rewarded.
How To Get There
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.
General Information
Location : Ajmer, Rajasthan.
Unique Features : Urs Of Sufi Saint Khwaja Moin-Ud-Din Chisti.
Timings : The First Six Days Of Rajab.
Religious Practices
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.
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 'fatiha', which is a mass prayer for the eternal
peace of the Khwaja in particular and mankind in general. 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.
Prime Attractions of Ajmer
Ajmer-e-Sharief
Dargah
At the foot of a barren hill, is situated India?s most important pilgrimage
center for people from all faiths. It is the splendid tomb of the Sufi saint
Khawaja Moinuddin Chisti more popularly known as Khawaja Saheb or Khawaja
Sharif.
Taragarh Fort
Built in the 7th century by Ajaipal Chauhan, the fort gives a bird's eye
view of the city. Taragarh Fort or the 'Star fort' is situated on a hill and
to reach there, one has to take winding bridle path.
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