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Dargah Sharif Ajmer
Dargah Sharif is referring to the dargah of Sufi saint Hazrat Khwaja Mouniuddin Chisti at Ajmer in Rajasthan, India. This is also known as Ajmer Sharif. It is believed that people visiting Ajmer Sharif praying with conviction will attain eternity with bliss.
Hazrat Khawaja Mouniuddin Hasan Chishti, likewise, is known by different names such as, Khawaja Gharib Nawaz, Khwaja Baba, Sultan-Ul-Hind, Khwaja Gharib Nawaz Ajmeri, Khwaja Saheb, Khwaja Sahib and Khwaja Ajmeri Saint Mouniuddin Chisti.
The Dargah Sharif houses several tombs, Daalaans, variety of buildings and courtyards, most of them expressing Mughal architecture.
History
Ajmer is a popular city of Rajasthan with unique splendour of nature’s endowment, nurturing the heritage of Rajput supremacy and Islam’s religious fervour. Its master piece is its Fort of Garh Beetli, also referred as Bithali, named after Shah Jahan’s trusted General Bithaldas Gaur.
It was here that Khawaja Mouniuddin Chishti established the permanent foundation of Islam in India in 1192 A.D. applying his spiritual powers and rendering his religious preachings.
Ajmer also has underwent historical incidents like Sir Thomas Roe, ambassador of King James I of England, having his audience with Emperor Jahangir in 1616 A.D. planting British Raj in India by obtaining a charter of free trading by the East India Company. Shah Jahan proclaimed his emperorship only at Ajmer after the death of Jahangir in 1627 A.D. And again the decline of Mughal Empire had its beginning only at Ajmer caused by the furious battle in 1659 AD held between Aurangzeb and Dara Shikoh. Many other events can be quoted in Ajmer’s long history of about 1400 years.
Dargah Sharif, which is Khawaja Saheb’s Dargah attracts large number of people every year who seek the spiritual blessings of the great saint.
Places to visit in Dargah Sharif
There are various spots to be visited in Dargah Sharif, which include monumental edifices. They are
- Jama Al-Tamish or Dhai Din-Ka-Jhonpra is one of the oldest and most interesting historical building of Ajmer, popularly known as Dhai-din-ka-Jhonpra, where Hazrat Khwaja Mouniuddin Chishti is said to have offered his prayers for a long time.
- Dargah of Miran Syed Husain is another edifice situated on the highest point of Taragarh fort.
- The Fort of Taragarh, the first structure which was built on a hill in India as a fortress at Ajmer.
- Nizam Gate, the main gate of Dargah Sharif which was established by Mir Osman Ali Khan
- Buland Darwaza - the high entrance on which the flag is hoisted at the commencement of Urs Sharif held on the 25th Jamadiulsaani which starts on the 7th month of lunar Calendar.
- Degs established on both the sides of the second Buland Darwaza, intended for cooking palatable item of sugar, fruit mixture for distribution to the public as Tabarrukh.
- Mahfil khana, the meeting hall where 6 day annual Urs for religious Mehfils and Qawwali is held as the main item, concludes with Fatiha, the religious part of Urs.
- Begami Daalaan - the impressive porch built in 1643 AD by Princess Jahanara Begum, daughter of Emperor Shah Jahan, providing two parallel entrances to the Shrine through it.
- Dargah Shrine, the ever attractive infrastructure with beautiful carvings and decorations, providing the visitors and devotees such an ambience to make them offer prayers automatically.
- Sanadli Masjid, the Mosque that was built by the Emperor Aurangzeb, the elder son of Shah Jahan.
- Mazar of Bibi Hafiz Jamal, the daughter of Khawaja Sahib, situated to the south of the Shrine with a small dome and kalas on top of it.
- Aulia Masjid, where Khawaja Sahib had stayed for a few days on his first time visit, which is now made a Mosque providing space for devotees to sit and recite Quran.
- Arcot Dalan, a small hall erected by Nawab Muhammad Ali of Arcot around 1800 AD providing comfort for devotees, which is also for the comfort of the devotees. It is also used for the death rituals by Khadims.
- Babafarid Ka Chilla, which has a small gate taking one to the under-ground cell where Hazrat Baba Farid did his secluded prayers (chilla) for 40 days having spiritual communion with the Holy Saint of Ajmer. This gate is kept open for public Ziaret (visit) on the 5th day of Mohharram month.
- Jama Masjid also called Shah Jahani Mosque, which is on the south wing part, here 99 sacred names of Allah and 33 Quranic verses are inscribed.
- The tomb of Nizam Sikka, the man who was made the Emperor of India for one day, in reward to save Emperor Humayun from drowning in Jamuna River.
- Jannati Darwaza, the silver lined door way which is opened only 4 times during a year, twice on Ids on annual URS, on 6th of Shawwal day and on the URS of Khwaja Saheb’s Pir.
- The tomb of Bibi Saheba, wife of Khwaja Mouniuddin Christi.
- Victoria Tank (Hauz) constructed in memory of Queen Mary’s visit to the Shrine.
- Akbari Masjid, the Mosque that was built by Mughal Emperor Akbar the great, as an acknowledgment for the grace he got from Khwajaji and blessed with a son.
- Langar Khana, the free public kitchen where 5 mounds of barley is cooked every day twice and distributed to all poor visitors.
- Jahalra, the main water source for the Dargah since Hazrat Khawaja Mouniuddin Chishti (R.A.)’s time.
Things to do
Flowers, chaddar, Attar and Incense can be offered in the Dargah sharif of Hazrat Khawaja Gharib Nawaz (R.A.)
Devotees can also feed people who are coming to the Dargah Sharif.
Now these offerings can be done by making Online requests through their website or by contacting their Mobile number or sending an SMS to +919829070786.
Email ID: [email protected].
How to Reach
Dargah Sharif can be reached by Road, Rail and Air.
By road, a number of bus services are operated to travel to Ajmer from various destinations of the Country and Ajmer has a popular railway station.
Jaipur International Airport, is the nearest airport for Ajmer, involving about a 125 km drive.
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