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Urs Festival In Ajmer |
The variety of fairs and festivals in Rajasthan impart a characteristic charm to this desert state that has for long generated a lot of interest in the minds of the tourists who have a proclivity for delving deep into the rich history and culture of the place. Urs in Ajmer is a popular festival in Rajasthan that is informed with a serious religious tinge. Urs in Ajmer is held in the honor of the venerated Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti. Urs, Ajmer takes place yearly during the first six days of the seventh month of the Islamic calendar.
Khwaja Moinuddin was loved and respected as the benefactor of the poor. During Ajmer's Urs, people cutting across a large section of the society offer special prayers at the mosques. The entire actively participates in the celebrations. The mortal remains of Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti have been entombed at Dargah Sharif which now serves as the site for the largest Muslim Fair. Many devotees pay a visit to this shrine with the belief that they will no return empty handed if they pray for something in a pious and whole-hearted way. The shrine witnesses the footfalls of a large cross-section of the society who come here to pay their tribute to this great soul. The offerings comprise of chadar, ghilaph and neema. The mehfils and qawwalis that are organized add to the charm of the festival. Another interesting aspect of Urs in Ajmer is the plundering of the milk pudding that is cooked in two capacious cauldrons. This blessed food is generously distributed among the devotees.
The celebrations of Ajmer's Urs are kick-started by hoisting a white flag by a member of the Chistis on the dargah. The ritual is swiftly followed by opening the gates of heaven popularly called the Jannati- Darwaza. According to the popular belief, one can ensure a place in "jannat" or heaven if one crosses the gate seven times. The tomb is sanctified by the rose water and sandalwood paste. Sweet smelling perfume is then sprinkled on the tomb. This is followed by shrouding the tomb with an exquisitely embroidered silken cloth. Recitation of Fatiha and Salamti is a ritual. The poetry sessions act as a major draw for the connoisseurs of literature and also for those who are culturally inclined. In these sessions, the poets read out their compositions consecrated to Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti.
| Fair and Festivals of Rajasthan |
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