Dargah-Mecca Of South Asia

"The dust of your doorstep is just the right thing to apply,If Surmah does not show its beauty in the eye!" - Amir Khusrau
This is the faith at Ajmer Sharif. Amir Khusrau, the great Persian poet beautifully portrays his devotion while playing an enthralling crossword with his words. He quotes that surmah or kohl powder cannot embellish one's eyes, but my Lord, the dust of your doorstep has the efficacy to garnish, even a nescient soul.
Ajmer's closest association is with the Dargah Sharif, the catacomb of the eminent Sufi saint Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti, whose disciples included the Mughal emperors and who would claim cliques of all creed from every corner of the country. The favoured Sufi capital is in the shadow of the Aravallis in central Rajasthan, around 3 hours drive from Jaipur, the capital city. The unbiased ambiance of the Dargah, which calls devotees from every caste, creed and sect, actually rejuvenates one's spirit and fills one's heart with eternal bliss. Since the 13th century, this shrine, richly adorned with silver and gold ornamentation, has enjoyed a huge following and the Urs, or death anniversary, of the saint is observed with huge fanfare.Apart from the devout Muslims, people of other religions throng the holy dargah and pray for the fulfillment of their desires. The devotees also offer flowers, velvet cloth, perfume (non-alcoholic) and sandalwood at the shrine.
LEGEND
Hazrat Khwaja Moin-ud-din Chisti was the founder of Islam in India. He was one of the greatest preachers in the world. The revered prophet undertook to propagate Islam in India by the most peaceful means and with great forbearance. When Khwaja arrived, the Muslim community in India was not as large as it is now. The Khwaja, by his noble teaching, touched the hearts of everyone who came his way.The dargah is the tomb of the sublime Sufi saint who came to Ajmer from Persia and died in 1236. It was built by emperor Humayun. Later, rulers like Shahjahan, Jahangir and Akbar also constructed mosques here.

Daily Ceremonies At Dargah

Fresh Flower Offerings


Sama Qawwali

Every day a number of activities are performed by the Khuddam of Hazrat Khawaja Ghareeb Nawaj at the Dargah. These include Khidmat, Langer, Sama Qawwali and Quran recital.
Khidmat
This ceremony is performed twice, once early in the morning about at 4.00 a.m. and other at 3.00 p.m. with a slight difference. In the morning it is performed for about an hour before the Fajar prayer. At this time, the main entrance of the Tomb is opened, by calling Azan. At this point only Khadims are allowed to enter to perform khidmat. In affect, khidmat means cleaning the Holy Mazar and offering fresh flowers.The second khidmat takes place at 3.00 p.m. At this time, all pilgrims are permitted inside the Tomb except ladies. Now apart from offering flowers, khadims recite Fateha and offer sandalwood which is also distributed among the pilgrims.
Lighting (Roshnee)
Fifteen minutes before evening prayer the ritual of Roshnee (lighting) takes place. It starts with khudam bringing candles inside the Tomb with drums beating in the background. Once inside, khadims place these candles in lamps and recite some Persian verse. Finally the lamps are placed in the four corners of the Holy Tomb and are lighted.
Karka (Closing ceremony)
Karka is the closing ceremony of the Tomb which takes place after an hour of Isha prayer. According to old custom, about 20 minutes before closing the door, when fifth part of the night passes, a person calls to ring five, the clock sounds five times, the devotees present inside the Tomb are requested to go out of the Shrine. Then three khadims clean and sweep the Tomb. After that they come out of the Tomb and the bell rings six times. Immediately after that Qawwals sing a special song called `Karka’. After the song is over, the entrance of the Tomb is closed.
Langer
Dargah’s daily ceremony includes Langer (free distribution of food) where they serve wheat porridge which is cooked in a special grass. This particular porridge is significant because this is the same porridge that Khawaja Baba used to consume. It is said that when Emperor Akbar visited Khawaja Baba’s Mazar, he used to stand in queue and take the Langer like any other ordinary man. The Langer takes place after Isha prayer (namaz).
Sama (Qawwali)
Every day in front of the main shrine (mazar), after fazar namaz, magrib namaz and Isha namaz, there’s amehfil-e-sama where devotional songs on Allah is sung by special Qawwals (devotional singer).
Milad & Quran Recital
It’s a complete recital of the Holy Quran which takes place every day at Jama Masjid and Alamgir Masjid.

Monuments In Dargah

Nizam Gate

Mir Osman Ali Khan, The Nizam of Hyderabad Deccan, erected the main gate of the Dargah Sharif in 1911.

Monuments In Dargah

Buland Darwaza

High entrance that was erected by Mahmood Khilji or one of his successors. Before the commencement of Urs Sharif a flag is hoisted on top of this gate with grand ceremony on the 25th Jamadiulsaani for ushering the 'Urs' of Khawaja Saheb, which starts from 1st of Rajab (The 7th month of lunar Calendar).

Monuments In Dargah

Badi Deg

Chhoti deg

On either side of the second Baland Darwaza in front of Saham Chiragh (courtyard lamp), there are two huge Degs (cauldrons for cooking food) fixed into solid masonry in which a palatable mixture of rice sugar, ghee (butter) and dried fruits is cooked for distribution to the public as tabarruk.
The circumference at the edge of the larger cauldron is 10-1/4 feet. It cooks 70 mounds of rice, while the smaller Deg takes 28 mounds. One of them was presented by Akbar in 1567 A.D. The princes or the well-to-do pilgrims order these Degs to be cooked generally during the Urs period.

Monuments In Dargah

Mahfilkhana

On the west of the Saham Chiragh stands the magnificent building of Samakhana or Mahfilkhana (auditorium with darbar hall) which was built by Nawab Bashir-ud-Dowla Sir Asmaan Jah of Hyderabad Deccan in 1888-91 A.D. This spacious hall is 46 feet square with a gallery of 14 feet running around it.
It is used for 6 days only during the annual Urs for religious ‘Mahfils’ in which Qawwali is the chief item of programme commencing at 11 P.M. and ending with Fatiha (a relifious ceremony) in the early hours of morning at 4 A.M.

Monoments In Dargah

Monuments In Dargah

Begami Daalaan

Overhanging the principal eastern to the Shrine or Mausoleum, there is a handsome porch known as Begami Daalaan which was built in 1643 AD by Princess Jahan Ara Begam, the favorite daughter of Emperor Shah Jahan.
The walls and the beautiful marble pillars of the Begami Daalaan were done in colorful gold in 1888 AD. Later on, the ceiling of this Daalaan was also embellished in gold with the money donated by a Muslim merchant of Bombay. This beautiful portico was used by the Begams or ladies of the Moghul harem during their frequent visits to the shrine.
There are two simultaneous entrances to the Shrine through the Begami Daalaan. The doors of both of them are mounted with heavy silverplate carved in ornamental details. The tomb is of white marble inlaid with pieces of precious stones and is daily bestrewed with sandal-paste and Itars (perfumes). It is always covered with very costly ‘ghilaafs’ (coverings made of velvet and silk) embroidered with pleasing gold and silver tracings.

Monuments In Dargah

Sandali Masjid

This Mosque was built by the Empror Aurenzeb the elder son of Shah Jahan who build the Taj Mahal.

Monuments In Dargah

Mazar Of Bibi Hafiz Jamal

The Mazar of Bibi Hafiz Jamal, daughter of Khawaja Sahib, is situated to the south of the Shrine. There is a small dome with a kalas on top of it. The doors of this tomb are plated with silver.

Monuments In Dargah

Aulia Masjid

The place where Khawaja Sahib stayed for a few days, when he came to Ajmer for the first time, has now been turned into a mosque called Aulia Masjid. It is made of white marble. Devotees use it only for recitation of Holy Quran and thanks giving prayers.

Monuments In Dargah

Arcot Dalan

This small hall on the southern side of the Shrine was erected by Nawab Muhammad Ali of Arcot around 1800 for the comfort of the devotees. It is also used for the death rituals by Khadims.

Monuments In Dargah

Baba Farid Ka Chilla

Is situated between Jama Masjid and Sandali Masjid in the premises of Hazrat khwaja Muinuddin's Dargah at Ajmer. Along the left-hand wall, in the background of the Sandali Masjid there is a small gate which leads down to the under-ground cell in which Hazrat Baba Farid remained in a chilla (secluded prayers) for 40 days in spiritual communion with the Holy Saint of Ajmer.
This gate is opened for public Ziarat (visit) on the night of the 5th of Moharram (the date of Baba farid's death) every year when thousands of pilgrims visit the place from all over India to seek his spiritual benediction.

Monuments In Dargah

Jama Masjid
On the south wing of the Mahfil khana stands the Jama Masjid or Shah Jahani Mosque, which is a fine piece of Moghul architecture. All the 99 sacred names of Allah with 33 Quranic verses are beautifully inscribed in the mosque.

Monuments In Dargah

A King Of The Day
This man was a water man who use to supply water in the Goat skin. He was filling water in his water bags suddenly he saw a man is drowning in River Jamuna. He just throw him self and saved that man. That man was Mughal Empror Humayun Father of Akbar the great. He was drowning during his war with Sher shah Suri.
After winning the battle he called that water man (Nizam Sikka) and asked what reward he wants for saving a life of king. The Water man asked that he wants the throne of india for one day, He wants to rule India for One day. King allowed to give him a throne for one day. He ruled on India for One day, His name was Nizam Sikka. This is the tomb of Nizam Sikka.

Monuments In Dargah

Jannati Darwaza

This gate too is situated on the western side of the Shrine adjacent to the tomb of Gaiti Ara. The doors of the gateare covered with silver metal. It is opened only four times during the year, viz twice on ids (for one day) during the annual Urs (for six days) and on the 6th of Shawwal, the Urs of Khawaja Saheb's Pir.

Monuments In Dargah

Bibi Saheba

This tomb is of Khawaja Moinuddin Chishty’S R.A. Wife.

Monuments In Dargah

Victoria Tank (Hauz)

In memory of Queen Mary's visit to the Shrine, the roof of the tank was constructed by the British Government for the convenience of the worshippers.

Monuments In Dargah

Akbari Masjid

This Mosque was build by Mughal Emperor Akbar the great. Who came to Ajmer from Agra to ask for a son to Khawaja Moinuddin Chishty R.A. When he got son he build this Mosque.

Monuments In Dargah

Langar Khana















Langar Khana is a free public kitchen where about 5 mounds of barley meal is cooked twice a day and distributed to the poor without any discrimination.