Urs of Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti starts

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Urs of Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti starts

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800th Urs of Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Hasan Chisti has been started in Ajmer Sharif.

18 May,2012 05:41 pm

A large number of devout Muslims throng at the Sufi shrine to participate in the flag hoisting ceremony of 800th Urs of Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Hasan Chisti in Indias northwestern state.The dargah or shrine of Muslim saint Khwaja Moin-ud-din Chisti is hosting the religious fair or Urs marking the 800th death anniversary of the Sufi (mystic) saint that began on Thursday (May 17) in Ajmer city of Indias northwestern state of Rajasthan.Following conventions, the Gori family of Bhilwara is authorised and assigned the task of hoisting the Urs flag. On Tuesday (May 15), members of the family arrived in Ajmer carrying the flag and hoisted the flag on Thursday. This tradition has been kept alive since 1944.I hope more and more people come together and promote the concept of brotherhood. I also pray that all my Hindu and Muslim brothers live together happily and peacefully in the country, said a devotee, Farukhdin Gori. Though Urs is normally associated with the Muslims, people of all faiths participate with equal reverence.The shrine, which contains the tomb of the Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chisty, is one of the most important pilgrimage sites for Muslims in India.Hindus and Sikhs also visit the shrine, which lies some 350 km southwest of New Delhi, and is seen as a symbol of communal harmony.Pakistani leaders, including Pervez Musharraf, Mohammad Zia-ul-Haq, Benazir Bhutto,Asif Ali Zardari have all visited the shrine during state visits, which has also attracted Bollywood stars like Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.The Dargahs main gates called the Jannati Darwaza (Gateway to Heaven), which normally remains closed, would open for the devotees on Monday (May 21).This Sufi saint Moin-ud-din Chisti, popularly known as Garib Nawaz (Messiah of the poor), is believed to have been born in Circa 1142. Since his ancestors belonged to a town named Chisti, the devotees referred to him by that name.Chisti, who preached tolerance and unity of all religions, died in Ajmer where his tomb has become a shrine for millions of people from around the world.In 1236 AD, the saint entered his cell to pray in seclusion for six days, at the end of which he died. Since then Urs is celebrated for six days every year.On their part, the devotees visiting the shrine offer flowers as a symbol of their devotion. Some offer large amounts of money and expensive jewels.Devotional music and reciting from Chishtis own works and other Sufi saints are rendered in traditional Qawwali (chorus singing) style.The annual event culminates with readings from the holy Quran and special prayers.