In short
- Hundreds of thousands attend the festival.
- Dates shift yearly based on the lunar calendar.
- The Jannati Darwaza opens for this specific event.
In this article
The Ajmer Sharif Urs festival is the busiest time of the year at the Dargah. Pilgrims arrive to honor the 13th-century Sufi saint, transforming the complex into a heavily crowded, intensely spiritual gathering space.
What is the Ajmer Sharif Urs festival?
The Urs festival marks the death anniversary of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, who died in 1236.
Instead of mourning, the event celebrates the union of the saint's soul with the divine. The hoisting of the Urs flag at the massive Buland Darwaza signals the official start of the festival.
When is the Urs festival held?
The festival dates change every year because they follow the Islamic lunar calendar.
Because the lunar year is shorter than the solar year, the exact dates shift backward by about 11 days each year. You must check the specific lunar dates for the year you plan to visit.
What opens during the Urs festival?
The Jannati Darwaza, a silver-covered door, opens specifically for the Urs.
This door remains closed for most of the year. Passing through it during the few days it is open is considered highly auspicious by devotees.
How crowded is the Dargah during Urs?
Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims attend the festival, creating extreme crowds.
The daily average of 20,000 visitors swells massively. You will face intense pushing near the Tomb of Moinuddin Chishti. Do not carry large bags, and leave expensive jewelry at home due to the risk of pickpockets.
What are the traditions during the festival?
Devotees offer prayers, offer chadars (velvet cloths), and share communal meals.
Two enormous cauldrons, the Big and Small Degs, are used to cook sweet rice (Langar). This food is distributed to the massive crowds of pilgrims throughout the event.
Should I visit during the Urs festival?
Visit during Urs if you want to experience intense spiritual energy and key rituals.
Avoid this time if you prefer a quiet visit or dislike extreme crowds. The most comfortable visits generally occur between October and March when the weather is cool, but Urs dates may fall outside this window.
Questions travellers ask
Does it cost money to enter during the Urs festival?
No, there is absolutely no entry fee to visit the Dargah, even during the Urs festival.
Are bags allowed during the festival?
Large backpacks and luggage are not permitted inside. You must leave them at the cloakroom outside the gates before entering the crowded areas.
What should I wear during the Urs?
Both men and women must dress modestly, ensuring arms and legs are fully covered. Everyone must cover their heads at all times using a scarf, dupatta, or handkerchief.
