Annual Urs Festival Commences at Dargah Shariff, Ajmer, Rajasthan
Dargah Sharif’ or ‘Holy Dargah’ is one of the most sacred Muslim shrines in india.
Venerated by both Hindus and Muslims, it is the tomb of Khwaja Moin-ud-din Chisti, a Sufi saint who came from Persia and devoted his life to the service and upliftment of the poor and downtrodden.
Annual 797th Urs commences with Flag Hoisting at Buland Darwaza
The 797th Urs of the 12th century Sufi saint, Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, commenced on Friday with the flag-hosting ceremony at the Buland Darwaza.
About 200 people from the Gori family of Bhilwara, headed by Fakrudin Gori, came to Ajmer. As per age-old traditions, the family is authorized to hoist the Urs flag.
As the festival began, the devotees, who have come from various parts of the country, wished each other Urs Mubarak’ and celebrated the occasion. They shopped at the dargah bazaar, which has been decorated extensively for the festival.
Different Activities During Urs
On the appearance of the moon for the month of Rajab, there comes a change in daily routine which is generally held at the Holy Shrine.
The main entrance of the Holy Tomb which in ordinary days is closed at night, is kept open through out the day and night (barring for 2 or 3 hours at night) during the six days of Urs.
All other daily and weekly programmes are suspended and few functions and ceremonies commence from that night.
Qul Day – Final Day of Urs
Qul ceremony takes place on the last day of Urs which is also the sixth day of the month of Rajab. This is considered to be a very important day. After the morning prayer, people start gathering the Holy Tomb.
The activities include recital of Quran, Darood, Shijra-e-Chishtia and other verses. People also tie small turbans on each other’s head and pray for the benefit of the people, for peace, prosperity and happiness.
