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It would be nice to hear H'ble DFI members' views and experiences about their visit to such places where almost anyone can go for a pilgrimage in India ,where there is no bondage of religion to pray representing the religious harmony in India.
Ajmer-e-sharif
Ajmer e sharif or the shrine of Sufi Saint Moin-ud-din Chishti is an important place of pilgrimage for Muslims where Hindus and followers of other religions visit peacefully with love. Khwaja Chishti, a direct descendant of Ali, was the son-in-law of Prophet Mohammad. His compassion for the poor of caste and creed earned him the epithet of Garib Nawaz. More than three centuries later Mughal Emperor, Akbar made a pilgrimage to the tomb bare footed. He went there to pray for a son. His pilgrimage from Agra to Ajmer was proved successful as he was blessed with a son, Salim. After this Akbar began visiting this place regularly.
The Dargah Sharif of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti is situated at the foot of the Taragaṛh hill, and consists of several white marble buildings arranged around two courtyards, including a massive gate donated by the Nizam of Hyderabad, a mosque donated by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, the Akbari Mosque, and the domed tomb of the saint. The Emperor Akbar, with his queen, used to come here by foot on pilgrimage from Agra every year in observance of a vow he had made when praying for a son. The large pillars, erected at intervals of two miles (3 km) the whole way between Agra and Ajmer, marking the daily halting places of the royal pilgrim, are still extant.
In the year 1236 a tomb had been built probably by his students here. However, it was Akbar who had built the mosque as a sign of his gratitude and faith in the Khwaja. Moin-ud-din Chishti came into prominence during the Bhakti movement. Being one of the Sufi saints he popularized the fact that there is only one god. He propagated the teachings of Islam and strongly supported religious tolerance. He supported the cause of women. Muslim women always maintained veil and were denied the right of education. They were not even allowed to pray in the mosque with men. Ajmer e sharif, Rajasthan, is probably the only Muslim religious site where women can pray with men. They were also allowed to sing Sufi devotional songs at the mosque.
At his shrine, the flowers come from the Hindu flower dealers of Pushkar Shrine while most of the chadars are made by non-Muslim skilled artisans. The food prepared for the pilgrims is vegetarian since there are many Hindus in their numbers.
Ajmer e sharif is a beautiful monument with an imposing gateway that was built by the Nizam of Hyderabad in 1915. The red sand stone Akbari Masjid stands on the right side. At the left side there is an assembly hall with silver doors. The Buland Darwaza leads to the second courtyard. This was built by Mahmood Khilji in the 15th century. There are two huge cauldrons that were gifted by Akbar and a small one was donated by Jahangir. These are still in use. Rich Muslims pay for a feast of rice, ghee, sugar, raisins and spices to be cooked in these for mass distribution. There are two kitchens here-Langar Khana and the Mehfil Khana.
The dargah chamber is in the inner courtyard. The white marble tomb is square with a domed roof. The ceiling is gold embossed and silver railing. The qawwali are held in the vast courtyards on both sides. These devotional songs heighten the feeling of religious commitment. The inner court also houses Begum Dalaan that was built in 1643 by Shahjahan`s daughter. It is a white marble magnificent building with gilded walls and ceilings etched with gold.
Ajmer e sharif is considered one of the most religious sites. Chishti is very popular with the poor sections of the Muslim community. As a result during the Saint`s death anniversary celebrations (Urs), hundreds of thousands of pilgrims come here from all over the subcontinent to offer chaadar or the sheet of flowers to their revered saint.
Revered for his simple teachings, ecumenical approach and eclectic philosophy, the saint believed that no spiritual exercise, penitence or prayer had greater value than bringing succour to distressed hearts and helping the needy. He directed all his efforts towards alleviation of human misery, and his mission was to provide consolation and emotional security to seekers, to help diffuse tension, and bring inner peace and tranquillity within everyone’s reach.
“Develop a river-like generosity, a sun-like bounty and an earth-like hospitality,” Chishti exhorted, stressing one’s life could have divine significance only if one firmly rejected all material attractions.
Sheikh Moinuddin Chishti believed in pacifism and non-violence, contending violence created more problems than it solved. In forgiveness, large-heartedness and tolerance lay the supreme talisman of man’s happiness.
Both Hindu and Muslim as well as followers of other religions, throng the shrine of Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti at Ajmer for his annual Urs or death anniversary, which is not treated as a sad occasion but a celebration of the soul’s union with god.
About 250,000 to 300,000 pilgrims visit Ajmer during the Urs. The dargah (shrine) of the saint, who was popularly known as Khwaja Gharib Nawaz by his devotees from both communities, symbolises a touching synthesis of the hopes and prayers of various faiths and communities.
Ajmer-e-sharif
Ajmer e sharif or the shrine of Sufi Saint Moin-ud-din Chishti is an important place of pilgrimage for Muslims where Hindus and followers of other religions visit peacefully with love. Khwaja Chishti, a direct descendant of Ali, was the son-in-law of Prophet Mohammad. His compassion for the poor of caste and creed earned him the epithet of Garib Nawaz. More than three centuries later Mughal Emperor, Akbar made a pilgrimage to the tomb bare footed. He went there to pray for a son. His pilgrimage from Agra to Ajmer was proved successful as he was blessed with a son, Salim. After this Akbar began visiting this place regularly.
The Dargah Sharif of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti is situated at the foot of the Taragaṛh hill, and consists of several white marble buildings arranged around two courtyards, including a massive gate donated by the Nizam of Hyderabad, a mosque donated by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, the Akbari Mosque, and the domed tomb of the saint. The Emperor Akbar, with his queen, used to come here by foot on pilgrimage from Agra every year in observance of a vow he had made when praying for a son. The large pillars, erected at intervals of two miles (3 km) the whole way between Agra and Ajmer, marking the daily halting places of the royal pilgrim, are still extant.
In the year 1236 a tomb had been built probably by his students here. However, it was Akbar who had built the mosque as a sign of his gratitude and faith in the Khwaja. Moin-ud-din Chishti came into prominence during the Bhakti movement. Being one of the Sufi saints he popularized the fact that there is only one god. He propagated the teachings of Islam and strongly supported religious tolerance. He supported the cause of women. Muslim women always maintained veil and were denied the right of education. They were not even allowed to pray in the mosque with men. Ajmer e sharif, Rajasthan, is probably the only Muslim religious site where women can pray with men. They were also allowed to sing Sufi devotional songs at the mosque.
At his shrine, the flowers come from the Hindu flower dealers of Pushkar Shrine while most of the chadars are made by non-Muslim skilled artisans. The food prepared for the pilgrims is vegetarian since there are many Hindus in their numbers.
Ajmer e sharif is a beautiful monument with an imposing gateway that was built by the Nizam of Hyderabad in 1915. The red sand stone Akbari Masjid stands on the right side. At the left side there is an assembly hall with silver doors. The Buland Darwaza leads to the second courtyard. This was built by Mahmood Khilji in the 15th century. There are two huge cauldrons that were gifted by Akbar and a small one was donated by Jahangir. These are still in use. Rich Muslims pay for a feast of rice, ghee, sugar, raisins and spices to be cooked in these for mass distribution. There are two kitchens here-Langar Khana and the Mehfil Khana.
The dargah chamber is in the inner courtyard. The white marble tomb is square with a domed roof. The ceiling is gold embossed and silver railing. The qawwali are held in the vast courtyards on both sides. These devotional songs heighten the feeling of religious commitment. The inner court also houses Begum Dalaan that was built in 1643 by Shahjahan`s daughter. It is a white marble magnificent building with gilded walls and ceilings etched with gold.
Ajmer e sharif is considered one of the most religious sites. Chishti is very popular with the poor sections of the Muslim community. As a result during the Saint`s death anniversary celebrations (Urs), hundreds of thousands of pilgrims come here from all over the subcontinent to offer chaadar or the sheet of flowers to their revered saint.
Revered for his simple teachings, ecumenical approach and eclectic philosophy, the saint believed that no spiritual exercise, penitence or prayer had greater value than bringing succour to distressed hearts and helping the needy. He directed all his efforts towards alleviation of human misery, and his mission was to provide consolation and emotional security to seekers, to help diffuse tension, and bring inner peace and tranquillity within everyone’s reach.
“Develop a river-like generosity, a sun-like bounty and an earth-like hospitality,” Chishti exhorted, stressing one’s life could have divine significance only if one firmly rejected all material attractions.
Sheikh Moinuddin Chishti believed in pacifism and non-violence, contending violence created more problems than it solved. In forgiveness, large-heartedness and tolerance lay the supreme talisman of man’s happiness.
Both Hindu and Muslim as well as followers of other religions, throng the shrine of Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti at Ajmer for his annual Urs or death anniversary, which is not treated as a sad occasion but a celebration of the soul’s union with god.
About 250,000 to 300,000 pilgrims visit Ajmer during the Urs. The dargah (shrine) of the saint, who was popularly known as Khwaja Gharib Nawaz by his devotees from both communities, symbolises a touching synthesis of the hopes and prayers of various faiths and communities.
