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The lakeside city of
Ajmer is located in central Rajasthan, and is held in
great reverence by devotees of all communities who call it
'Ajmer Sharif' (Holy Ajmer). It is here that the mortal
remains of the highly respected Sufi saint Khwaja
Moin-ud-din Chishti lie buried.
The Khwaja came from Persia and established the Chishtia
order of fakirs in India. He is popularly known as Gharib
Nawaz (protector of the poor) because he dedicated his
entire life to the service of mankind. His spartan life
spanned almost a hundred years and he embraced death in
solitude while he had withdrawn to his cell for six days,
asking not to be disturbed. The Dargah Sharif in Ajmer is
the place where the Saint's mortal remains lie buried and
is the site of the largest Muslim fair in India. More than
five lakh devotees belonging to different communities
gather from all parts of the subcontinent to pay homage to
the Khwaja on his Urs (death anniversary) during the first
six days of Rajab (seventh month of the Islamic
calendar.) |
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The pilgrims who come
to seek the blessings of the Khwaja make rich offerings
called nazrana at the holy spot where the saint has been
entombed. The offerings of rose and jasmine flowers,
sandalwood paste, perfumes and incense contribute to the
fragrance that floats in the air inside the shrine. Also
offered by devotees are the chadar, ghilaph and neema,
which are votive offerings for the tomb. These are brought
by devotees on their heads and handed over to the khadims
inside the sanctum sanctorum. Outside the sanctum
sanctorum of the dargah, professional singers called
qawwals in groups and sing the praises of the saint in a
characteristic high pitched voice. People gather around
them and listen attentively, sometimes clapping to the
rhythm of their instruments. More... |
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