Urs

The Urs are held at Ajmer , Rajasthan every year at the tomb of the Sufi Saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti, commemorating his symbolic union with God. It  is celebrated from the 1st to the 6th day of Rajab; the seventh month of the Islamic calender. 

Pilgrims from all over the world gather to pay homage. The celebration is initiated by the hoisting of a white flag on the dargah by the 'Sajjada Nashin' - successor representative of the Chistis, to the accompaniment of music. The tomb is washed with rosewater and covered with an embroidered silk cloth. Qawalis (poems) are presented in the saint's honour and religious assemblies (mehfils) and 'fatihas' (mass prayers) are held. Kheer is distributed among the devotees as blessed food. 

The much respected saint who came from Persia, established the Chishti order of 'fakirs' in India. The pilgrims make offerings of flowers, sandalwood paste, incense, money and votive offerings which they bring carrying on their head at the spot where he is buried. 

The lakeside town of Ajmer also called Ajmer Sharif (holy) comes alive during the Urs which attracts thousands of devotees irrespective of caste, religion etc. At the huge fair; the largest Muslim fair in India, that springs up at this time, religious  objects, books, rosaries, embroidered carpets and silver ornaments are on sale.

How to get there:

Ajmer is located 132 kms south-west of  Jaipur and 198 kms east of Jodhpur.

Air : Nearest Airport is at Jaipur
Rail :  Ajmer is a railway junction on the Delhi-Ahmedabad section of the Western Railway.
Road : It is connected by road to Jaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Udaipur and Kota. During the Urs, special buses run from cities all over India to Ajmer.