Spiritual and Festive Urs in Ajmer Sharif

India is a beautifully spiritual and mystic country where great men are celebrated and worshipped as well. The Urs festival is one of those mystic celebrations where the death anniversary of Khwaja Moinuddin is commemorated for the first six days of the Islamic calendar’s seventh month.

This year (in 2011) the probable dates for the Urs celebrations is from 3^rd or 4^th of June to 9^th of June. The dates depend on the moon cycle. Come; join in the celebrations of the spiritual and festive Urs this year.

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.

The 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 Ajmeri Mosque where pilgrims come to pray to the Khwaja.

Khwaja Moinuddin, who is 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 Akbar as Emperor Shah Jahan.  It is believed, today, that prayers are fulfilled for those who are pure and earnest at heart.

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The Urs festival of Ajmer Sharif is celebrated with Sufi songs and qawwalis, readings from the Quran and other holy Islamic scriptures and prayers for the peace and well being of humanity. The following is a list of events that occur during Urs:

• The festival begins a few days earlier on the 25^th day of Jamdul Sahani (29^th May 2011) with flag hoisting in Buland Darwaza in Agra
• On the 1^st day of Rajab, i.e. this year it is 3^rd or 4^th June, the celebrations of Urs begin with a ‘mehfil-e-sama’ or musical ceremony with qawwalis in the Ajmer Sharif Dargah
• The celebrations continue with millions of pilgrims and tourists visiting the Dargah and praying to the 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 6^th Rajab day is considered most important. Throughout the day various functions happen:
• Morning Prayer
• Islamic holy books’ verse recitals
• Turban tying ceremony

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Indian Holiday Pvt. Ltd. (IHPL) is a 2 time National Tourism Award winning destination management company based in Delhi. This travel blog is an initiative to inform the visitors about all aspects of India that include her history, heritage, culture and tourist attractions and destinations.