Fairs & Festivals in Ajmer
URS
FAIR (Twice a Year)
An interesting ritual is the looting of kheer (milk-pudding) which is cooked
in two large cauldrons called degs and distributed to the devotees as tabarruk
(blessed food).
On the 6th of Rajab, after the usual mehfil and the sound of cracker-bursts
accompanied by music, the Sajjada Nashin performs the ghusal of the tomb. Fatiha
and Salamti are read. A poetic recitation called mushaira is arranged in which
poets of all communities arrive to recite compositions dedicated to the Khwaja.
The Qul (end-all) on the 6th of Rajab marks the end of the Urs.
At night, religious assemblies called mehfils are held in the mehfil-khana,
a large hall meant for this purpose. These are presided over by the Sajjada
Nashin of the dargah.
Qawwalis are sung and the hall is packed to capacity. There are separate places
reserved for women who attend the mehfil. The mehfil terminates late in the
night with a mass prayer for the eternal peace of the Khwaja in particular and
mankind in general.
The Dargah is located at the conjunction of three bazaars. There are a number
of restaurants around the Dargah where visitors can choose from a variety of
dishes most of which are non-vegetarian preparations. Guest houses on the road
leading to the Dargah offer accommodation that ranges from economical to luxurious.
Many other guest houses are strewn across the city.
The shops in the market around the Dargah sell flowers, prayer mats, rosaries,
textiles, and general merchandise as well. Ajmer is 132 kms. south-west of Jaipur
and 198 kms. east of Jodhpur. It is connected by road to Jaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner,
Udaipur and Kota. Ajmer is a railway junction on the Delhi-Ahmedabad section
of the Western Railway. During the Urs, special buses ply from cities all over
India carrying people to Ajmer and back.
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