Ajmer, May 8 : The 801st Urs of Sufi saint Khwaja Gharib Nawaz got to an initial start here on Tuesday with the main event to begin from May 12.
On Tuesday, thousands of pilgrims offered flags at the dargah.
Ghauri family from Bhilwara, as per tradition, was the first to reach the dargah with flags. Thousands of pilgrims have already begun to assemble here to participate in the Urs.
The tradition of offering flags began in 1928 by Pir Abdul Sattar of Peshawar.
In 1944, Pir Abdul Sattar handed over the tradition of offering flags to his mureed (disciple) Lal Muhammad Ghauri of Bhilwara, and the successors of this clan have been offering flags since then.
Wahid Hussain Angara Shah, secretary of Anjuman Dargah Sharif, Ajmer, said, after the flag ceremony is over, the 801st Urs of Gharib Nawaz will begin with the sighting of Moon.
The khadims (servants) will perform the first bathing of the mazaar with sandalpaste.
The ten-day long Urs will comprise of prayers and mehfils to be held round-the-clock.
Lakhs of pilgrims from South Asia are expected to attend. The Moon is expected to be sighted on May 11, when the main Urs will begin.
