Muslim devotees throng Ajmer to take part in Chishti Urs

AJMER - Scores of Muslim devotees converged in Rajasthan’s Ajmer city to take part in the annual Urs festival, the anniversary fair of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, which commenced from Sunday.

The Urs is an occasion for a massive pilgrimage, as hundreds of devotees flock to the dargah to await the opening of the ‘Jannati Darwaza’, a gate of the shrine, which opens only four times a year.

“All the devotees wait anxiously for the opening of the ‘Jannati Darwaza’, which is opened after great service to the saint. According to legend, this ‘Jannati Darwaza’ belongs to the saint, who had said that whoever could circumambulate the ‘Darwaza’ seven times, he will attain the privilege of the Hajj,” said Hasshan Ashmi, convenor.

“Devotees eagerly wait for this day as the sacred door opens only four times in a year once during Khwaja Sahib’s Urs, during the annual fair of his disciples, during Eid (Eid-ul-Fitr) and Bakra-Eid (Eid-ul-Zuha),” he added.

Devotees offered sacred decorated cloths and prayers at the dargah.

“The only reason to come here from our place is to visit the ‘Jannati Darwaaza’, that is why we have come here,” said Noor Mohammad, a devotee, adding that if one passes through the gate, he is blessed.

The Urs celebrations will 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)