Detailed Information about URS Festival & Its Importance

The Holy town of Ajmer is famous for its URS Festival which is held in Ajmer Sharif on the 25th day of Jamadi-ul-Akhir (sixth lunar month) according to the Islamic calendar. It is celebrated with fully dedication and love all across Ajmer. The devotees who come to seek the blessings of 'Khuwaja' make rich offerings called nazrana at the holy place where he (The saint) was entombed. Mainly the entombed place is offered by some specific flower like rose, jaismine and sandal-wood paste along with incense stick, these all together make the whole Ajmer lulled in beautiful smell and also by the pious environment all around. The pilgrimage is offered by Chadar, Ghilaph and neema which is consider votive offerings of the tomb. By the rituals these offerings are brought by the devotees on their head in a basket and are handed over to the Khadims(the priests). Qawwalis is one of the most important folk song in the URS Festival here professional Qawwals come to sing the praising of their 'Khuwaja'. People and tourist gather here to ease the traditional and unique singing style by even clapping in the rhythms of their instrument and tying to grasp the praise of the saint.

By the holy rituals it is said that on the last day of six month (according to lunar calendar), the gate to Heaven is opened early in the morning ( Jannati- Darwaja) all the pilgrims crosses this gate seven times in the believe that they assure a place in the heaven. Next day on the day of 1st Rajab the saint's tomb and sanctum is washed by rose water and sandal wood, this ritual is called 'ghusul' then a beautiful embroidered silk cloth(Chadar) covers the tomb.

Religious assembles are organised in night called 'Mehfils' which is held in a large hall (Mehfil Khana) especially made for this purpose. Dargah qawwalis are sung with the praise of 'Khuwajaji' and his miraculous stories are recited and the hall is completely packed to volume. There are separate place for women in this hall as per their privacy. This Mehfil ends late at night with a mass prayer (Dua) for the everlasting 'Khuwajaji' and also for every mankind as whole.

The most noticeable and important ritual of this URS festival is cooking of the scared Kheer or milk pudding, this is distributed among the devotees who come here to pay their heartiest prayer to 'Khuwajaji'. The 6th day of Rajab is also called as 'Chatti-Sharrif', on this day the 'Ghusul' is performed similar to the 1st day then the 'Faitha' and 'Salamati' is read in the name of Allah (GOD). On this day a Mushaira (poetry recitation) is organised by the poets of all the communities in order to bestow the saint.

A visit to this place of pilgrimage is a must for everyone, in spite of such crowd the tourism department has excellent security and health camps. This place is situated in the middle of 3 bazaars where you can get all varieties of food and accessories.