Urs of Khwaja Gharib Nawaz (Ajmer) 2026: Date in India and Meaning
The Urs of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, known as Gharib Nawaz, is held at his dargah in Ajmer, Rajasthan, from 1 to 6 Rajab, with the 6th as the main day. He died in 633 AH (1236 CE) and established the Chishti Sufi order in India.
Observed especially in the Ahle Sunnat (Barelvi) tradition
In India
Wed, 16 December 2026
Expected, subject to moon sighting. In Saudi Arabia (Umm al-Qura): Tue, 15 December 2026.
The year after: Sun, 5 December 2027.
Who Khwaja Gharib Nawaz was
Born in Sistan, he settled in Ajmer. The Chishti order he established in India, continued by Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki and Nizamuddin Auliya, became one of the most influential in South Asia.
The Urs at Ajmer
Pilgrims of many backgrounds visit during the six days. The gatherings include Quran recitation and qawwali, chadars are offered at the tomb, and the Urs closes with the qul on the 6th.
How it is observed
- Ahle Sunnat (Barelvi) and Sufi traditionsVisiting Ajmer for the Urs, or holding local gatherings with fatiha and qawwali.
How other Sunni schools see it
Deobandi and Ahle Hadith scholars respect the role of the Sufi saints in spreading Islam in India, but regard urs gatherings and offerings at shrines as practices without basis in the Sunnah.
Sources
- P. M. Currie, The Shrine and Cult of Mu'in al-Din Chishti of Ajmer (Oxford University Press, 1989)
- Carl W. Ernst and Bruce B. Lawrence, Sufi Martyrs of Love: The Chishti Order in South Asia and Beyond (Palgrave Macmillan, 2002)
- Encyclopaedia Britannica, "Muin al-Din Chishti"
Updated 6 October 2026 by the Sunni One editors, compiled from the sources above.