Fairs & Festivals : Urs Fair
Start Date: July-2009
End Date: July-2009
Category: Rajasthan
City: Ajmer
Country: India
Event Profile
Urs FairUrs Fair is the largest Muslim fair of India. It is organized on the first six days of the seventh month of the Islamic calendar, known as Rajab. The fair is held in the lakeside city of Ajmer, Rajasthan. The exact venue of the Urs Fair is the Dargah Sharif of Ajmer, also called as Chishti ki Dargah. This place houses the mortal remains of the venerated Sufi saint, Khwaja Moin-ud-din Chishti. The Urs Fair of Ajmer marks the death anniversary of the saint. During the fair, devotees from various communities gather at the Ajmer Dragah to pay reverence to the Khwaja. They also give rich offerings that include sandalwood paste, roses, perfumes, jasmine flowers, incense, etc.
The opening ceremony of the Urs Fair commences with a flag hoisting on the Dargah by the Sajjada Nashin (successor representative) of Chishtis. It is performed on the 25th of Jamadi-ul-Akhir (sixth lunar month). On the first day of Rajab, known as Ghusal, the tomb is thoroughly washed with rose water and sandalwood paste and is smeared with perfumes. After that, the Sajjada Nashin wraps the tomb with an embroidered silk cloth. On the last day of the fair, Ghusal of the tomb is performed by the Sajjada Nashin. After that, Fatiha and Salamti are read. This is followed by a poetic recital in the honor of the Khwaja. The festival concludes with Qul (end-all) on the 6th of Rajab.
Venue: Dargah Sharif, Ajmer, Rajasthan
