New Delhi: The Ajmer Sharif dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti is famous the world over for attracting millions of devotees who seek the sufi saint's blessings.
Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Hasan Chishti occupies a prominent place among the spiritual healers of the world.
Popularly known as Khwaja Gharib Nawaz, Khwaja was born in 1141 A.D. in Chishti in Sistan region of eastern Iran.
A student of Imam Jaafar us-Sadiq, Moinuddin Chishti grew up in Iran. His parents died when he was 15. He inherited a windmill and an orchard from his father. He kept himself busy in prayers and meditation since his childhood.
According to legend, a Sufi saint from Kunduz Afghanistan Shaikh Irahim Kunduzi came to him one day. Moinuddin gave him some fruints and in return, the Sheikh gave him a piece of bread and asked him to eat it. The Khwaja got enlightened and found himself in a strange world.
He disposed of his property, distributed the money to the poor, renounced the world, and left for Bukhara in search of knowledge.
After acquiring religious learning in the seminaries of Samarkand and Bukhara, he became a disciple of Chinshti saint Usman Harooni. They travelled the Middle East together and visited the Holy Mecca and Medina.
Moinuddin Chishti later came to India. After a brief stay in Lahore, he reached Ajmer along with the Delhi Sultan Shabuddin Mohammed Ghori, and settled there.
In Ajmer, he attracted a substantial following, and established the Sulah-e-Kul (Peace to All). The Khwaja passed away in 1236 in Ajmer.
He introduced and established the Chishti order (silsila) of Sufi saints in India, comprising himself, Bakhtiyar Kaki, Baba Farid, Nizamuddin Auliya and Ashraf Jahangir Semnani.
The first scenes of the Bollywood magnum opus Mughal-e-Azaam begin with Emperor Akbar walking barefoot in the hot sands of Rajasthan trekking to Ajmer to pray for a son.
The Khwaja Saheb, is considered as a living spirit of peace and harmony. He enjoys universal respect and devotion ever since he set his holy feet on the soil of Hindustan.
Moinuddin Chishti has unquestionably been one of the greatest spiritual redeemers of human sufferings. He has ever been a never-failing source of spiritual enlightenment and moral strength.
Not only the common people, even the mighty kings of India, both Muslim and Hindu, have paid submissive homage to the great saint and have sought his miraculous aid to solve their problems. Heads of states and governments from both Pakistan and Bangladesh regularly visit the Ajmer Sharif seeking the saint's blessings.
They offer colourful chadars with gold and silver threads
Known as the friends of Gharib Nawaz , kalanders from Mehrauli walk to Ajmer all the way from Delhi every year and are the main attractions of Urs(the anniversary of Khwaja Saheb's passing away).
The dargah (shrine) of Chisti is an international wakf (endowment), managed under the Dargah Khwaja Saheb Act, 1955 enacted by the Government of India.
The Dargah Committee, appointed by the Government, manages donations, takes care of the maintenance of the shrine, and runs charitable institutions like dispensaries, and guest houses for the devotees.
Inside Dargah Sharif ,two big Deghs (pots) are installed for cooking Niaz (purely vegetarian food; cooked with rice, ghee, nuts, saffron & sugar). Filled with sweet rice, dry fruits and various other prasad items for all the pilgrims.
Devotees offering Chadders during the month of Urs
Ladies offering namaaz (prayers) at the dargah
Man tying the holy red thread at the dargah. It is believed that wishes(mannat) are fulfilled by tying this dhaga (sacred thread)
The ten days of Urs are very powerful and people from almost every part of the world come and offer their prayers and get their wishes fulfilled.
Devotees offering prayers at the dargah
Dargah Sharif or Holy Dargah is one of the most revered and famous Sufi shrines in the Indian subcontinent.
Dargah decorated with beautiful lights during the month of Urs
Pakistani actress Veena Malik offering prayers at the Dargah
Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachhan visiting Ajmer Sharif
Priyanka Chopra offering prayers at the Dargah
Big B visiting Ajmer Sharif
Katrina Kaif offering prayers at the Dargah
