Urs at Galiyakot

Galiyakot is a small village of Tehsil Sagwara in Dungarpur District. It is located on the banks of the river Mahi and holds special significance for Dawoodi Bohras, a sect of the Ismaili Shia Muslims.

The people hailing from this sect gather at the memorial of one of their most revered saint - Sayyed Fakhruddin. While the pilgrimage is popularly known as Ziyarat, the name given to the mausoleum is Mazar-E-Fakhri. The pilgrims not only from Rajasthan but from neighboring states like Gujarat & Madhya Pradesh also come to attend this fair. This fair draws several tourists from wide and far besides the faithful. The people visiting the fair believe that whatever wish is made here is sure to get fulfilled and this is why this fair draws a big amount of people.

The Urs

This fair is an annual affair and it is celebrated every year on the 27th day of the 1st month of the Muslim Calendar, that is, Moharram. The devotees visit the tomb of their saint which is lit up with lamps and is bedecked with flowers before the initiation of the ceremonies.

The devotees offer combined prayers, make their wishes, which they call as "mannat", enjoy the religious musical program performed by professional Qawwals, enjoy the lunch organized by community and offer their offerings to the saint.

Significance

Death anniversary of Saint Sayyed Fakhruddin.

Worship and Offering

Devotees from the Ismaili Shia sect of Muslims come to this fair for seeking the saint's blessings and most of the people come again to the fair for expressing their gratitude on the fulfillment of their wishes.

The Urs initiates with the recitation of Holy Quran and mass prayers which is followed by majlis. The devotees showcase their devotion by offering jaggery, coconut, fruits and sweets on the saint's memorial.

Cultural Programme or Activities in Urs at Galiyakot

During the fair, the tomb is ornated with flowers and lit up with lamps. The ceremonies start with the mass prayer and recitation of the Holy Quran. In this fair, a devotional gathering is organized which is popularly known as "Majlis". In this gathering various singers sing the religious songs in the honor of the saint. The ceremonies in this fair are headed by the religious head of the Ismaili Shia community, who is known as Dai-UI-Mutlaq. A free for all community lunch is served in this fair where all devotees are welcomed to take food together. Many poets belonging to various communities recite compositions in the honor. Rajasthan has people who belong to different faiths and the Urs at Galiyakot is such an occasion that marks the presence of people of different faiths.

How to Reach

• By Rail
  The nearest railway station from Galiyakot is Dahod or Dawod, which is 96 km from Galiyakot and lies on New Delhi - Mumbai rail route. Another railways station near to Galiyakot is Ratlam, located at around 144 km distance from it.
• By Road
  One can board the regular road transport buses from Dawod, Ratlam and Udaipur to reach Galiyakot.
• By Air
  The nearest airport is Udaipur located at a distance of 160 km from Galiyakot. One can board a bus from Udaipur or can hire a taxi to reach Urs at Galiyakot..

^{source: discoveredindia}