Rajasthan is famous for its vibrant culture and historical architecture. Hence, Ajmer, the city of Rajasthan, is also famous in the whole Indian state for having the holiest place, Ajmer Sharif Dargah. This Dargah is the last resting place of Persian pious Saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, who came to India and served his whole life to people experiencing poverty. Dargah was built during the Mughal Empire by ruler Humayun, and its architecture depicts the Mughal architectural style. There are many courtyards, Jamia Masjid, Buland Darwaza, and Nizam Gate within Dargah. Discover the background, significance, and architectural splendor of Rajasthan’s Ajmer Sharif Dargah, one of India’s holiest sites and shrines. Find out how to get there, where to go, and what to wear for the Ajmer Sharif Dargah Tour.
The Significance of Ajmer Sharif Dargah
The main attraction of this shrine is the qawwali performance, in which devotional songs are sung in praise of Sufi saints. These performances are held every Thursday, attracting tourists to visit the shrine. An annual ‘Urs’ is also arranged, commemorating Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti’s death anniversary. Devotees also offer a charter, a packet of incense, and flowers on Mazar Sharif. People visit this holy and religious place as pilgrims. They come to visit the tomb and find spiritual peace at this place.
How to reach the Ajmer Sharif Dargah?
You can utilize any method of transportation to get to this Dargah because it is popular throughout India, not just Ajmer. You can arrive via train, bus, or airplane. The nearest airport is in the capital city of Jaipur.
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From Jaipur airport, you can travel by public bus from central Ajmer because the Dargah is just about 2km from that point, but if you want to avoid traveling by bus, you can also hire a cab to reach the Dargah quickly. You can also choose a train because trains frequently come to Ajmer junction, and Dargah is only 1.5km from this junction. People who want to plan the Ajmer Sharif Dargah Tour in a budget-friendly package should choose the train because this is the easiest and cheapest way to reach Ajmer. At the same time, by air, you have to pay for tickets and then for the taxi, which will cost approximately INR 1500 to INR 2000 depending upon your negotiation with the driver.
When to visit the Ajmer Sharif Dargah?
The ideal time to visit Ajmer is between November and March, since the weather during this time of year has improved. It is recommended that you visit the Dargah between Monday and Wednesday, as it is less crowded during these days. However, on Thursday and Saturday nights, devotees flock to the Dargah to perform their rituals, which may cause discomfort if you are uncomfortable waiting in long lines. Moreover, it would help if you visited this holy place in the early morning. But if you want to enjoy festivals and performances on an annual occasion, you should visit your festival.
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5 Things to do at the Ajmer Sharif Dargah Tour
There are several things to do at the Ajmer Sharif Dargah Tour, such as admiring the majestic beauty of this building, which depicts the Mughal style of architecture. By entering through Nizam Gate, which is the main entrance to the shrine, you can see the floral designs on this gate. There is also Buland Darwaza, on which the flag is hoisted to announce the ceremonies for the death anniversary of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti. Jannati Darwaza is also a coated door opened for devotees on special occasions.
1. Ajmer Sharif Dargah Architecture
The tomb of Chishti is built under a dome-shaped chamber, and silver railings are lined around the chamber. The pillars and walls are made of marble, further enhancing the tomb’s grandeur. On visiting the tomb, people show their respect toward Saint Chishti and make a wish by tying three knots of thread on the tomb, and when their wish is fulfilled, they return and untie any thread from the tomb. It’s said that the caretakers and khakis of Dargah are the descendants of saints. Therefore, people came to seek blessings from these caretakers and khadims.
2. Qawwali at Ajmer Sharif Dargah
Every Thursday, special qawwali performances are performed by singers at various locations within the Dargah complex. These qawwali songs are sung in praise of Sufi saints, and most of these performances are held after 7 p.m. People who come to visit the Dargah also participate in the langar. They contribute to this free meal, served to visitors and poor people at designated times.
Devotees also offer a chadar to cover the saint’s tomb. This chadar is a small cloth sheet made of good quality fabric and embroidered with verses from the Quran or prayers. They also offer a tray of flowers and a packet of incense to enhance the beauty and fragrance of the saint’s tomb.
3. Akbari Masjid
This Masjid (mosque) was built in 1569 AD by the Mughal Emperor Akbar, who came to this Dargah to ask for a son, and when his wish was fulfilled, he built a Masjid in Dargah. The entry door of the Masjid is fully decorated with Arabic writings in gold and floral themes, and the whole building is built with marble. The blend of white and green marble enhances the glory of the mosque.
4. Jannati Darwaza
Jannati Darwaza is a silver-coated building that mostly remains closed to visitors. Still, it is opened on special occasions, such as Eid ul Fitr and Eid ul Adha, in the month of Rajab, when the annual yours of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti is held. It is believed that people who cannot go to Mecca to offer Haj can get spiritual obligation by passing through this door.
5. Mehfil Khana and Masjid Aulia
Mehfil Khana is the place where Mehfil every night is held, in which singers sing qawwali and other Sufi kalam. This grand auditorium is 46 feet square, and qawwali is held there on your days. Masjid Aulia was the first place where Khwaja Baba stayed for a few days when he came for the first time to Ajmer, and after that, this place was turned into a mosque.
Things to buy at the Ajmer Sharif Dargah Tour
If you visit Ajmer and visit this holy place, you should also collect some religious souvenirs and other cultural handicrafts from the bazaar. The nearest shopping spot is Dargah Bazaar, where you can get tasbeeh (a chaplet of beads), special Rajasthani jewelry, bed sheets, clothes to cover your head, garlands, flowers, and many other items. The clothes in this bazaar are prepared using the tie-and-die technique, a unique and integral part of Rajasthan.
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What to wear?
It would be best to avoid tight-fitting clothes, as these types of dresses can discomfort you. On the other hand, you should prefer loose-fitting cotton fabrics. Especially if you are going in the summer, then normal cotton clothes will be comfortable and convenient to carry. Men can wear a kurta, pyjama, or T-shirt with pants. Women can also wear kurtas with loose pants or pajamas, dresses, and shirts with sleeves. Covering the head is also important, so men and women can wear scarves on their heads, as this is a gesture of paying respect to this holy place.
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Avoid wearing shoes inside the Dargah complex and carry them in a plastic bag; otherwise, you can also leave them at a shoe stand without paying a small fee to the organizers. Avoid wearing offensive or provocative slogans or specific symbols on clothes or other accessories, like jewelry scarves. These offensive slogans can depict a specific culture, religion, or society and cause quarreling among devotees. Make your Ajmer Sharif Dargah tour peaceful and enlightening.
Challenges and Difficulties: What to Expect
With all this important information, you should also be aware of some challenges and difficulties you may face during the Ajmer Sharif Dargah Tour. One of them is to face a heavy crowd. A heavy crowd and noise can create difficulty if you visit the shrine during festivals or peak hours. To avoid this crowd, you should visit here in the early morning. Beggars and touts are also abundant, and they ask for money from visitors and offer their services to get money.
Security checkpoints are also established in the way of the Dargah, and security staff checks with metal detectors at the entrance of the Dargah. Therefore, you should avoid using metal accessories during your visit. To avoid any hassles, you must follow the rules and customs of Dargah Sharif. For example, avoid capturing photos without permission; do not disturb or touch anything without permission inside the tomb chamber; and avoid drinking or eating inside the Dargah complex.
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Final Analysis
Through the Ajmer Sharif Dargah tour, you will feel lighthearted and spiritual and enjoy a remarkable blend of culture, history, and religion. By observing caretakers and khakis, you can observe a live example of devotion and service. People of different areas and backgrounds came together at this sacred place, and you can feel harmony with all of them. This guide will help you visit the Dargah complex more responsively. Thanks for giving your attention to it; now plan a wonderful trip to Rajasthan, explore its beauty, and fulfill your spiritual obligation by visiting this Ajmer Sharif.
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