800th ‘Urs of Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti’ in Ajmer !

More than 4,00,000 Indian and foreign devotees have been and will converge in Ajmer in Rajasthan this week in order to commemorate the death anniversary of the great Sufi  Saint - Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti in a commemorative event called the ‘Urs’ which is held at the tomb of the Saint where his mortal remains lie buried. Khwaja Moinuddin is popularly known as ‘Gharib Nawaz’ – the Benefactor of the Poor.

Urs – Ajmer is reckoned with as the largest Muslim gathering in India held during the Islamic calendar month of Rajab – on seeing the moon of Rajab. Upon sighting the moon of Rajab, an official drum-roll would announce the commencement of the Urs and a traditional Urs Flag which is brought by the Gori family from Bhiwara is hoisted amidst flower and confetti shower on the main gate of the Shrine.

The commemoration lasts for 6 days – the 6^th day regarded as the most important day when the ‘Shijra’ is read by the Khadims which is followed by ‘Fariyaad’ (prayers). The Urs of Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti has been commemorated since 1212 AD which makes it the 800^th Urs this year in 2012.

Religious Mehfils, Qawwalis, Poetry Recitation in praise of the Almighty and special Prayers (Fariyaad) would be held 24/7 during all Urs days when devotees offer votive offerings or ‘Nazranas’ such as the chadar, ghilaph and neema at the Shrine. During the Urs, Khwaja’s tomb would be ritually anointed with rosewater and sandalwood paste while Qawwalis are being sung in praise of God.

‘Tabarukh’or sanctified food which is sweet rice garnished with dry fruits and condiments is cooked and served just outside the Shrine premises.

Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti was born in 1141 AD and passed away in 1230 AD and is the most famous Sufi Saint of the Chisti Order in India. Khwaja Moinuddin was a descendant of Prophet Muhammad and was originally from Chisti in Afghanistan. When Khwaja got enlightened, he renounced all worldly things including his entire wealth and property which he gave away to the poor. ‘Anīs al-Arwāḥ’ and ‘Dalīl al-'Ārifīn’ are two of the several books on Islamic Code of Living that Khwaja Moinuddin has authored.

The Lakeside town of Ajmer would be bustling with activity, events, devotees and tourists this whole week and beyond as the city gears up for the Urs of Khwaja. The Ajmer Bazaar close to the Dargah would display and sell large numbers of flowers, embroidered prayer rugs, decorated chadars, rosaries, prayer caps and silver ware. This bazar would be open till the wee-hours of the morning during the Urs.

The Indian Railways Administration has revved up plying 6 special trains for the Urs and Ajmer Police has stepped up security measures for the safety of the 4, 00,000+ visitors of the Urs. Additional arrangements of drinking water, parking facilities and sanitation are being provided.

Ajmer is 130 kms southwest of Rajasthan State Capital – Jaipur and 200 kms east of Jodhpur and is well connected to both by roads. A 6-lane highway connects Ajmer to Jaipur. Ajmer is also a major railway junction which links Jaipur, Marwar, Delhi, Bangalore and Ahmedabad.

Pix courtesy: PTI News. Ursajmersharif, Hellotravel, Ziaratekhwaja, Travel-packages.

Parsi New Year

The 21^st of March this year 2012 is a reason to celebrate for more than just one sect of people of India.

Being a day marking the spring equinox – the 21^st of March is Jamshed-e-Navroz – the first day of the Zoroastrian year and the beginning of the Iranian Calendar and this day is considered to be Holy even by the Sufis, the Ismailis, the Alawites, the Alevis, and the Bahaiians worldwide and is also the basis for the Jewish festival – ‘Purim’.

Also referred to as the ‘Persian New Year’ and the ‘Parsi New Year’, the ‘Navroz’ festival has been celebrated by the Parsis for about 3000 years. Parsis worship Fire in the Fire Temples and they offer sandalwood sticks to the fire during a special thanksgiving Prayer called the ‘Jashan’. When inside the Temple, Parsis cover their head with caps or sarees until they step out of the Temple which marks the end of the Temple ceremony when they greet each other – ‘Saal Mubarak’!

On Navroz, Parsis offer to their guests – the ‘Falooda’ – a sweet milky beverage with a dominant flavour of rose syrup and other ingredients such as the vermicelli, basil seeds, jelly pieces and topped with ice cream – an Indian version of the original Persian dessert – ‘Faloodeh’.

‘Spring Cleaning’ or the complete cleaning of the house is done by every Parsi household just before the Navroz festival and the house is adorned with auspicious symbols such as stars, birds, fish and butterflies.

And on the day of Navroz, Parsis wear new and best clothes and gold or silver kustis and caps set up a ‘Haft Sin’ Table comprising 7 items symbolizing the seven elements which are of great importance to the Parsis –

o Candles - symbolizing the Fire.

o Mirror – symbolizing the sky.

o Apple – symbolizing the earth.

o Rose Water - symbolizing water.

o Barley sprouts or sabzeh wheat - symbolizing the plants.

o Goldfish - symbolizing the animals.

o Painted eggs symbolizing the humans and fertility.

Parsis also keep dry fruits, honey, milk, sheerbeeranj (sweet) and sugar on the Haft Sin Table.

Besides these, it is customary to even keep on the ‘Haft Sin Table’ the sacred ‘Avesta’ Texts of Zoroastrianism and the ‘Gathas’ – a collection of 17 hymns which were composed by the Founder of Zoroastrianism – the great Prophet Zarathustra – before the 3^rd millennium BCE in Greater Iran.

When friends or family visit a Parsi family on Navroz, the Lady of the House plays a pivotal role and leads them to the Haft Sin Table and offers them the eats from the Table.

Navroz evenings are typically spent in fun and frolic and watching the traditional ‘Navroz Naatak’ which are Parsi Plays revolving around the themes of comedy and thrillers. Though not very conspicuous, the Parsi Theatre in India has a strong and ever-growing fanfare. Some of the popular Parsi Plays in India are ‘Keku is my King Kong’; ‘Zabaan Sambhalke’; and ‘Jhan Jhov Tanh Baira’. And Dorab Mehta, Pheroze Antia, Homi Tavadia and Adi Marzban are reckoned with as the greatest Parsi dramatists.

Check the local theatre guides for schedule on Parsi Plays in town and go for it! You would not only get to see some of the most hilarious Parsi Plays ever….you would also see the entire Parsi community converge in the theatre with their friends and family – all decked up and having fun.

But before that, ensure you greet your Parsi friends, neighbours and colleagues – ‘Saal Mubarak’ on the 21^st of March.