Ajmer Sharif

The six day long Urs Festival is the time of the year to visit the Ajmer Sharif Dargah of Ajmer City. Thousands of devotees throng the mosque premises and render their prayers to the "Garib Nawaz" (uplifter of the downtrodden). The sweet scent of red roses and incense rents the air; the fervent pilgrims forget the religious barriers and hail the Sufi seer, Khwaja Muin-ud-din Chisti who died here in 1236 after six days of fasting and praying. This shrine was highly patronized by the Mughal rulers. Ramadan is the best celebrated festival here, next to the Urs.

At the Ajmer Sharif the pilgrims need to keep their head covered with scarfs, dupattas or even with a simple handkerchief. It is probably the most important Muslim shrine in India. In 1192, Khwaja migrated to Ajmer from Persia and spent his days here till he breathed his last. Buried in his brick cell, the white marble tomb was constructed over the cell and the shrine encloses his tomb. Sweets and toffees are offered here to the saint and it is believed that every boon is granted at the Ajmer Sharif. Akbar prayed for his son here and the green white Akbari Masjid stands testimony to the boons granted to the emperor. The Nizam Gate was built by Emperor Akbar in 1915 while the second gate, the Nakkarkhana was built by Shah Jahan. The arches and the Persian inscriptions that adorn the Shah Jahan's mosque highlight the attraction of the dargah. The Buland Darwaza built in the 16th century stands 28 m tall and opens into the wide courtyard of Ajmer Sharif. The degs or large cauldrons near the gateway are used to feed the needy porridge.

The inner shrine has a marble dome and the tomb rests on an elevated silver platform. The saint answers all prayers and hence the practice of writing notes of requests and thanks which are tied to the platform with strings. Come evening the shrine shines in the colored lights and the impassioned renderings of the Qawals fill our hearts with a promise of Divine favor.

Dargah Timings: 5 am - 9 pm winter, 4 am - 9 pm summer

Closed: 3 pm - 4 pm on all days and 2.30pm - 3.30 pm Thursday