Covering miles on foot to reach to their destination – younger lot escorting the old grannies and grandpa’s, carrying their luggage, and in places you can see them taking a nap under shady trees which are rarely found in this month of May and June, where sun is in his mightiest spirit in the state of desert- Rajasthan. All of this hard drill is done to attend Urs celebration in the holy city of Ajmer, an occasion which marks the holy demise of Sufi Khwaja Moinuddin Chisty who is also known as Garib-Nawaz the one enlightened who distributed all his wealth to the poor and needy.

Walking through the confined alleyway which seems to taper on to its end, the faceless old ruined buildings railing along the paths will lead you to Dargah, a shrine of Sufi Khwaja Moinuddin Chisty – tall and huge Dome which stands at the T – point of those narrow streets. The Dargah seems unchanged, since the burial of Sufi Khwaja Moinuddin Chisty in 1256 A.D.

Urs is a six day affair, make your way through narrowed jam packed streets during these days is a challenge.
The sixth day remains the most important because this was the day when the saint left his body to meet the Almighty. The Pir Zadas, Sufi hermits, saints, scholars and white crochet capped priests, all gather here rubbing shoulders with one another.

‘Shijra’ is read by a Khadim – a devotee who dedicated his life to serve the Saint. Six day long Sufis sing their deviational songs, sitting cross leg they clap, twist their fingers and all together generate wonderful music. Their awesome singing easily evoke spiritual trance, inspiring devotees to dance, spin and move with its rhythm. These prays which are straight from the heart twill never go unheard.
On the sixth day, before the concluding ritual ceremony – Qu’l ki Rasam, the devotees gathered at the main gateway of the Shrine and under loud thunder clapping sing praises to Allah. People of different faith are united in celebration of Urs – a celebration which rises our spirits, fosters tolerance and acceptance.

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