Urs Festival, Ajmer
A six-day Sufi festival at the Ajmer Sharif Dargah, marking the death anniversary of a 12th-century Sufi saint, and one of India's most significant Islamic pilgrimage gatherings.
Urs Festival, Ajmer
The Urs Festival marks the death anniversary of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, the 12th-century Sufi saint whose shrine at Ajmer Sharif Dargah is one of the most visited Islamic pilgrimage sites in South Asia. In Sufi tradition, a saint's death is understood as union with the divine, which is why the anniversary is marked with celebration rather than mourning.
Over six days, the shrine and surrounding streets fill with pilgrims from across India and beyond, alongside qawwali (devotional Sufi music) performances that run through the night. Ajmer sits close to Pushkar, and the two are often combined on a Rajasthan itinerary regardless of festival timing.
Where
Ajmer, Rajasthan
When
Six days in the Islamic month of Rajab (dates shift yearly on the lunar calendar)
What to Expect
Qawwali Through the Night
Devotional Sufi music performances run through the night at the shrine, among the most powerful live musical traditions in India.
A Gathering Beyond Religious Lines
The Urs draws pilgrims and visitors of multiple faiths, reflecting the shrine's long history as a site of shared devotion.
The Dargah Itself
Ajmer Sharif Dargah is one of the most significant Sufi shrines in South Asia, active as a pilgrimage site year-round, not just during the Urs.
Close to Pushkar
Ajmer sits a short drive from Pushkar, making the two easy to combine on a single Rajasthan itinerary.
Common Questions
Everything international travellers ask before planning a trip around this festival.
Can't find your answer? Our team responds within 2 hours on WhatsApp and within 12 hours by email.
Yes — the Dargah and the Urs festival welcome visitors of all faiths, and it's common for people of different religious backgrounds to attend and pay respects.
Six days, with the most significant rituals concentrated around the actual anniversary date, which shifts yearly on the Islamic lunar calendar.
Yes — Ajmer is close to both Pushkar and Jaipur, so it fits naturally into a wider Rajasthan itinerary if your dates align with the festival.
Start Your Journey
Time Your Trip Around Urs Festival, Ajmer.
When Will You Go?
Tell us your travel window and we'll build an itinerary around the festival, usually with a reply within 24 hours.