Urs of Khawaja Moinuddin Chishty formally begins
Ajmer: The 800th Urs of Khawaja Moinuddin Chishty began formally on Thursday evening though the actual rituals will begin only after the sighting of the moon tentatively on May 21.
Thousands of devotees march amid the playing of musical bands and shower of flowers and confetti towards the main Nazim gate of the dargah during the hoisting of the traditional flag brought by the Gori family from Bhiwara for the Urs. The procession of the flag started from the dargah guest house.
Large number of devotees from different parts of the country gathered in the dargah region to participate in the march of hosting the flag. Just after the 'Aser ki namaz', there was a celebration with musical bands playing and Qawals singing Sufi songs. Sayeed Abrar Ahemad led the Sufi Qawalis procession and the devotees were eagerly touching the Urs flag.
As per the tradition, Fakhruddin Gori held the flag and marched towards the main gate of dargah. The whole route was crowded with devotees. The procession went thorugh Mustafa market, Phool gali, and reached Nizam gate where the flag was hosted at Buland darwaza.
With the formal beginning of Urs, the timing of dargah will change from Friday for devotees, "There will be no prayers in afternoon as it will be offered at 8 in the evening. After the moon sighting, the rituals of Urs will start," said Kutubdin Sakhi, a khadim. He added that from the next day of moon sighting, the 'jannati darwaza' will be open for devotees.
Considering the large number of devotees coming to attend the Urs, the district administration has started implementing its plan for elaborate security arrangements. About 4,000 extra police force will be deployed in the region during Urs. Four circles are also defined for security reasons. "About 19 ASP, 45 DySP and 23 Inspector rank officials are called from the police headquarters for the Urs" an official said. Besides, police force from the police lines is also deputed.
There will be 36 CCTV actively capturing activities both inside and outside the dargah to catch suspicious moves during the Urs. Police are also checking guest houses and hotels to verify people lodged there. The district magistrate deputed a zonal magistrate in the region to maintain law and order.
Railways has also started six Urs special trains connecting Barauni, New Jalpaigudi, Satragachi, Hyderabad and other places to Ajmer. The state roadways are also looking for the good business during the Urs.
On other hand, devotees from different part of the country came here through private buses and were staying at Pushkar and Kayar Vishram Sthalis. "Drinking water and sanitation are the main facilities which we are providing on these places for devotees," a municipal official said. Parking facilities for about 3,000 vehicles are made on different vishram stalis for the devotees coming to attend the Urs.
[Picture: Inside Dargah Sharif. Photo: Wiki.]
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