Some of the important historical
buildings at the Shrine and their significance.
Buland Darwaza is a high entrance that was erected by
Mahmood Khilji or one of his successors. Before the commencement of Urs Sharif a flag is
hoisted on top of this gate with grand ceremony on the 25th Jamadiulsaani for ushering the
'Urs' of Khwaja Saheb, which starts from 1st of Rajab (The 7th month of lunar Calendar)
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| Langer Khana (Free Kitchen) |
Langar Khana is a free public kitchen where about 5
mounds of barley meal is cooked twice a day and distributed to the poor without any
discrimination. |
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| In memory of Queen Mary's visit to the
Shrine, the roof of the tank was constructed by the British Government for the convenience
of the worshippers.
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| Mazar (tomb) of Khwaja Sahib's Daughter |
The Mazar of Bibi Hafiz Jamal, daughter of
Khwaja Sahib, is situated to the south of the Shrine. There is a small dome with a kalas
on top of it. The doors of this tomb are plated with silver.
| Ibadat Khana (Place of Recitation) |
The two enclosures situated just outside the southern gate of
the Shrine adjacent to the tomb of Bibi-Hafiz Jamal bear the graves of some of the early
descendants. The Holy Quran is recited by the devotees especially by ladies in these
enclosures and the reward of this virtuous action is offered to the noble soul of Hazrat
Khwaja Saheb.
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This gate too is situated on the western side of the
Shrine adjacent to the tomb of Gaiti Ara. The doors of the gate are covered with silver
metal. It is opened only four times during the year, viz twice on ids (for one day) during
the annual Urs (for six days) and on the 6th of Shawwal, the Urs of Khwaja Saheb's Pir. |
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The place where Khwaja Sahib stayed for a few
days, when he came to Ajmer for the first time, has now been turned into a mosque called
Aulia Masjid. It is made of white marble. Devotees use it only for recitation of Holy
Quran and thanks giving prayers. |
This small hall on the southern side of the Shrine was erected by Nawab Muhammad Ali of
Arcot around 1800 for the comfort of the devotees. It is also used for the death rituals
by Khadims.
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On either side of the second Baland Darwaza in front of
Saham Chiragh (courtyard lamp), there are two huge Degs (cauldrons for cooking food) fixed
into solid masonry in which a palatable mixture of rice sugar, ghee (butter) and dried
fruits is cooked for distribution to the public as tabarruk. The circumference at the edge
of the larger cauldron is 10-1/4 feet. It cooks 70 mounds of rice, while the smaller Deg
takes 28 mounds. One of them was presented by Akbar in 1567 A.D. The princes or the
well-to-do pilgrims order these Degs to be cooked generally during the Urs period. |
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On the west of the Saham Chiragh stands the magnificent
building of Samakhana or Mahfilkhana (auditorium with darbar hall) which was built by
Nawab Bashir-ud-Dowla Sir Asmaan Jah of Hyderabad Deccan in 1888-91 A.D. This spacious
hall is 46 feet square with a gallery of 14 feet running around it. It is used for 6 days
only during the annual Urs for religious ‘Mahfils’ in which Qawwali is the chief
item of programme commencing at 11 P.M. and ending with Fatiha (a relifious ceremony) in
the early hours of morning at 4 A.M.
| The Mausoleum And Begami Daalaan |
Overhanging the principal eastern to the Shrine or
Mausoleum, there is a handsome porch known as Begami Daalaan which was built in 1643 AD by
Princess Jahan Ara Begam, the favorite daughter of Emperor Shah Jahan.
The walls and the beautiful marble pillars of the Begami
Daalaan were done in colorful gold in 1888 AD. Later on, the ceiling of this Daalaan was
also embellished in gold with the money donated by a Muslim merchant of Bombay. This
beautiful portico was used by the Begams or ladies of the Moghul harem during their
frequent visits to the shrine.
There are two simultaneous entrances to the
Shrine through the Begami Daalaan. The doors of both of them are mounted with heavy
silverplate carved in ornamental details. The tomb is of white marble inlaid with pieces
of precious stones and is daily bestrewed with sandal-paste and Itars (perfumes). It is
always covered with very costly ‘ghilaafs’ (coverings made of velvet and silk)
embroidered with pleasing gold and silver tracings.
Over the tomb, there is a silver ‘chaparkhat’
(canopy) inlaid with pieces of mother-of-pearl presented by Emperor Jahangir. Between the
four poles supporting this `chaparkhat’, there is silver `katehra’ (railing)
with an arch towards the south. There is another outer silver katehra running around the
tomb at a distance of about 2 feet. The devotees are led into this space to offer flowers
and prayers over the tomb. The ceiling of the dome is covered by a costly velvet chatgiri.
A peculiar kind of fascinating aroma prevails in the shrine which inspires the visitors
with a spontaneous and irresistible urge for devotion and homage towards the asleep saint.
As soon as one enters the interior of the shrine, he feels as if he is in the presence of
some exalted soul or mighty spiritual king.
On the south wing of the Mahfil khana stands the Jama Masjid or Shah Jahani Mosque, which
is a fine piece of Moghul architecture. All the 99 sacred names of Allah with 33 Quranic
verses are beautifully inscribed in the mosque.
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