�URS� is an Arabic word and its literal meaning is wedding. After the death of a Holy Saint, his disciples, descendant or Sajjadanashin usually begins to celebrate his annual Urs.That is the death anniversary of the saint. They believe that when a holy saint dies and his soul departs from his body, it leads to God, Almighty Allah, on the death (�Wisal�) the saint get freedom from the earthly confinement and finally join his Beloved (God i.e. Allah), in such joining his Beloved, he feel extreme joy and happiness and it is also called �Wisal�. That�s why the death anniversary of a holy Sufi Saint is celebrated like a wedding by his disciples and descendant or Sajjadanashin, and therefore it is called as Urs Celebration.
A Khanqah is a Muslim monastery or religious institution, where dervishes and other seekers after truth congregate for religious instruction and devotional exercises. Khanqah, generally founded by a dervish or Sufi, professing esoteric beliefs, whose teachings and personal sanctity have attracted disciples, whom he initiates into his doctrines. After his death he is often revered as saint and his abode grows into Khanqah and his Dargah or tomb into �Rauza� or shrine.
The word �Sajjadanashin� is derived from �Sajjada�, that is the carpet used by Mohammedans for prayers, and �nashin�, that is sitting. The Sajjadanashin has certain spiritual functions to perform. He is the spiritual preceptor and is the curator of Dargah where his ancestor buried; in him is supposed to continue spiritual line (�Silsila�). A Sajjadanashin is the head of the Dargah and his duty is to impart spiritual instruction to those who seek. Generally, the descendant of the Saint is appointed as Sajjadanashin of the Dargah, who has got right of managing the Dargah and instructing disciples and holding Urs etc. |
