What is an Urs?
In the Sufi tradition, the death anniversary of a saint is not a day of mourning — it is a day of celebration. The word urs comes from Arabic, meaning "wedding" or "union" — because the saint's departure from the physical world is understood as the ultimate union: the union of the individual soul with the divine. It is, in the Sufi view, the fulfilment of a lifetime of spiritual seeking.
For this reason, Urs celebrations at Sufi dargahs across South Asia are characterised by devotion, music, langar, and joy — not grief.
The Nakodar Urs
The annual Urs at Dera Baba Murad Shah Ji is observed in November, commemorating the samadhi of Hazrat Baba Murad Shah Ji in 1960. The exact dates vary each year according to the Islamic lunar calendar. The Urs draws a devoted gathering of followers who come specifically for this occasion — smaller and more intimate than the August mela, but carrying its own deep spiritual significance.
The Program
The Urs typically spans one to two days and includes:
- Special prayers and ardaas at the darbaar from early morning.
- Qawwali mehfil — a devotional music session in the evening that can extend through the night.
- Chadar ceremony — the offering of a flower-decorated cloth over the sacred space, as an expression of devotion.
- Distribution of prasad and enhanced langar seva throughout the day.
The Significance of This Day for Devotees
For regular devotees of the darbaar, the Urs is the most personally significant day of the year. While the Annual Mela is the grand public celebration, the Urs has an intimacy that resonates deeply. Many devotees make a personal vow to attend the Urs regardless of circumstances — it is the day they feel closest to Baba Ji's presence.
"On the Urs, the veil between the world of form and the world of light becomes thinner. Those who come with open hearts can feel it." — A devotee of 30 years
Planning Your Visit for the Urs
The specific dates of the Urs are announced by the trust closer to the time. Follow the announcements section of this website or contact the darbaar directly at 01821-222 786 for confirmed dates. See the Events page for the latest schedule.