Mohammad Akram/New Delhi

The Urs of Sufi Saint Nizamuddin Auliya Chishty, marking his 720th death anniversary, took off in Delhi on Wednesday evening with the followers of the spiritual leaders praying for India and peace in the Middle East.

The Dargah – the mausoleum of the Saint - has been decorated with flowers and illumination strands.

After the Maghrib prayers, Imam Islam Nizami prayed for the bright future of the country, peace, and establishment of peace in Palestine. Hundreds of people participated in the annual festival commemorating the life and teachings of a spiritual leader.

The Imam, leader of the congregational prayers, also read prayers for everyone's health and progress. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has written a letter to the Nizamuddin Dargah management on the occasion. It was posted on X:

Message of Hon’ble Prime Minister of India on the occasion of 720th Urs Mubarak of Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia (R.A). pic.twitter.com/tLYaGrdWJg

— Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia Dargah (@DargahShareef) October 31, 2023

Thousands of pilgrims, including many from abroad, especially Pakistan, are participating in the festival and the inaugural prayers. 

The opening function was followed by the singing by the Qawwals who paid tributes to the Saint also called Auliya Hind (Leader of India) Hazrat Nizamuddin through their music. 

The day ended with everyone partaking in consecrated food cooked in the Langar – community kitchen.

This year many devotees are also coming from Bangladesh.

Kashif Ali Nizami, the guardian of Dargah Hazrat Nizamuddin, said that 130 pilgrims have come from Pakistan. Most of them are staying in hotels in Paharganj.

The annual Urs of Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya begins on the 16th of the lunar month of Rabi-ul-Thani and lasts for five days, from November 1 to November 5.

As per the schedule issued by the Dargah management, on November 2 after recitation of the Quran at 8 pm, special namaz will be offered in Ruza Sharif. Finally, langer will be served, while on Friday, the recitation of the Quran will start at 11 am.

The Urs will conclude on Sunday at 6 p.m. with Qawwali and prayers.

Syed Altamash Nizami said that in the Sufi tradition one meeting Allah is a great occasion hence it is called for celebration and thanksgiving

Syed Oman Nizami, a member of the management of the dargah, said that on the occasion of Urs, people of different religions come to the shrine to offer prayers and pay obeisance to the great Spiritual leader.

Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya was born in 1238 at Badaun in Uttar Pradesh. He traveled to Delhi to propagate and spread the Chishty sect. Here he settled in Gyaraspur and taught people the lessons of love, peace, and humanity.

Nizamuddin Auliya always preached that people of all religions should be respected irrespective of their caste, creed, or religion. 

During his lifetime many people including Hazrat Naseeruddin Mahmood Chirag Dehlavi and Amir Khusro became his followers.

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Nizamuddin Auliya died on April 3, 1325, and Muhammad bin Tughlaq built the Dargah in his name. The Tuglukh ruler was a great follower of Hazrat Nizamuddin. 

Even after several hundred years, the descendants of Hazrat Nizamuddin take care of the Dargah.