Tight security measures ahead of Urs fair in Ajmer

AJMER - Security has been beefed up in and around the holy shrine of Ajmer Sharif in Rajasthan ahead of the annual Urs, the anniversary fair of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti.

Senior police officials are coordinating with each other to ensure better security arrangements here.

A number of ambulances are being deployed at the site and close circuit television (CCTV) cameras have also been installed.

An x-ray security screening system is being used for the first time here to screen objects at the entry of the shrine.

More policemen in comparison to last year are being employed to ensure a hassle-free visit of all devotees here.

“As compared to the last year, we are deploying more policemen at Ajmer Sharif dargah (shrine). More than 3000 policemen will be deployed. Security arrangements are done inside the dargah, outside in and in the nearby areas of the dargah (shrine). We also assure that we keep a control on anti social and criminal elements as well as the pick-pocketers. So we also deploy police in civil dresses,” said Hari Prasad, superintendent of police, Ajmer.

The largest Muslim fair in India, the annual Urs of the Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti is held at the dargah of the saint in Ajmer city of India’s northwestern Rajasthan state. The Urs (the death anniversary of the saint) is an occasion for a massive pilgrimage, with thousands of devotees flocking the dargah.

The Urs celebrations continue for six days.

Khwaja came from Persia in 1190 AD, at the age of 52 and established the Chishtiya order (silsila) here. The Chishtiya silsila lays stress on interpreting religion in terms of human services, renunciation of material goods, self-discipline and generosity. (ANI)