Ajmer-e-Sharief

The Dargah Sharif, located at the foot of a barren hill, is the place where the Khawaja Moin-ud-din Chistis' mortal remains lie buried. The Dargah (tomb) with a marble dome is situated in the center of a courtyard and is surrounded by a silver platform. It's believed that the shrine is a place of wish fulfillment for those who pray with devout and pure hearts. People of all religious faiths visit the Dargah and make offerings of rose and jasmine flowers to seek the blessings of the Khawaja. More than a half a million devotees from the subcontinent visit the Dargah to pay homage to Khawaja on Urs, the death anniversary of Khawaja. It's said that the revered saint left for heavenly abode after a six-day prayer in seclusion and for this their devotees celebrate 'Urs' every year during the first six days of Rajjab, the 7th month of the Islamic calendar. The entry to the Dargah is through the Dargah Bazar that leads to the inner courtyard. The high gateway has beautifully carved silver doors. In the courtyard are kept two huge cauldrons with capacity of 2240 kg and 4480 kg. On special occasions, 'Kheer' cooked in these cauldrons is distributed among the pilgrims. The grave of the Sufi Saint is surrounded by a silver railing and is partially covered with a marble screen. The daughter of Shah Jahan had built a prayer room in the Dargah for the women devotees. The premises of the Dargah also has the tomb of Bhishti, tomb of Saint's daughter-Bibi Hafiz Jama, tomb of Shah Jahan's daughter Chimni Begum. The simple tomb in which in the saint was buried has now grown in to a large complex with several mosques, pavillions and gateways. With in the complex Qawwals sing songs in praise of the saint. Their musical instruments provide the Rhythm while the khadims ( servants of the saint ) look after the tourists. When devotees prayers are answered, they offer chadar (cover) on the grave of the saint.