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Muslim saints perform acrobatics in Ajmer ahead of 'Urs'

     Ajmer: Ahead of 'Urs', the death anniversary of Sufi saint Khwaja Moin-ud-Din Chishti, thousands of Muslim saints or Qalandars performed acrobatics at Ajmer Sharif shrine in Rajasthan. As part of procession, the Qalandars from various dargahs come and assemble in Mehrauli (New Delhi) where the disciples of Khwaja Moin-ud-Din Chishti have been living for centuries. From here, they proceed towards the shrine of Sufi saint, Khwaja Moin-ud-Din Chishti, signalling the beginning of the 'Urs'. During the procession they perform various tricks with "chimta" (iron tongs), swords and fire tricks. "We pray that there should be peace and tranquillity across the world. Whosoever comes here by the blessings of Khwaja Moin-ud-Din Chishti, his miseries should vanish," said Ali Shah, a Qalandar from Pune. S.H. Hussain Chishti, an official at the shrine of Khwaja Moin-Ud-Din Chishti said the people of all faiths welcome the Qalandars. "They come here from all the dargahs. All through the way the langars (free food) are organised for them. If they wait even for two hours anywhere they get free food, shelter and everything. People of all the faiths welcome them," said Chishti. "Urs", as the congregation is called in Urdu, is popularly called "Garib Nawaz", or the "messiah of the poor". Devotees queue up in front of the hundreds of small shops selling the "chadar" or holy sheet that is spread over the mausoleum of the dead saint as an offering. The shrine is a symbol of religious convergence as both Hindus and Muslims throng the shrine in large numbers with the belief that all their wishes would be fulfilled once they offer prayers at the shrine. The annual gathering is considered to be the second largest congregation of Muslims at one place after Mecca.
-June 24, 2009

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