The
Urs fair held in the divine city of Ajmer is an occasion to mark the
death anniversary of the Khwaja Moin-ud-din Chisti who came from Persia
and started the Chistia order of Fakirs in India. The Sufi saint left
for heavenly abode in 1256 AD after six day seclusion at the spot where
the Ajmer Sharif Dargah stands today. The Khwaja is also popularly known
as Gharib Nawaz or the protector of the poor for he spent his entire
life in service of the poor. The six day fair is the biggest fair of
Muslims but witnesses' people from all the communities coming in large
numbers to seek the blessings of the divine Saint. On his urs (death
anniversary) which falls in the seventh month of the Islamic lunar
calendar (Rajab) more than five lakh devotees throng the holy shrine. During the fair thousands of believers congregate at the shrine and offer prayers. Special food is prepared during this time in large cauldrons which were gifted by the Mughal emperor Akbar and distributed among the visitors at the shrine. The Sajjada Nashin (successor representative) of Chistis inaugurates the fair by hoisting a white flag on the dargah. The ritual of ghusal is performed on the first day of Rajab in which the tomb is washed with rose water and sandalwood paste and anointed with perfumes to be later covered with embroided silk sheet by the Sajjada Nashin.
The entire holy city of Ajmer is in festive mood and is decorated all over. The bazaars (markets) look resplendent with all kinds of sweets, religious goods and colorful fabrics. The Dargah Sharif looks simply divine with the smell of incense all over and the Qawwals (singers) singing in glory of the saint. The celebrations unite people cutting across all faiths who are mesmerized by the Sufi ballads sung by the qawwals. The women also attend these mehfils held at night in a separate zenana quarter. The Qul (end all) marks the end of the fair at the sixth day of Rajab. Being a part of the Urs fair at Ajmer is a divine experience which is definitely like cleansing the soul.