Urs Hazrat Haji Syed Khwaja Rahmatullah (Rhamatullah Alaih) Nayabe Rasool:

The yearly Sandal and Urs of Hazrat Khwaja Rahmatullah is celeberated on the 25th, 26th and the 27th day of the Islamic month of Rabbi Ul Awwal. On 25th of Rabbi Ul Awwal after Namaze Asr the yearly Khatm-O-Quran is performed at the grand mosque (Madina Masjid) inside the dargah premises and an elaborate Fateha Khani preceeded by Milad and followed by Salat-O-Salam is performed in front of the female prayer hall (Zanana Ibadatkhana). The Khatm-O-Quran and Fateha ceremonies are presided over by the Pesh Imam of the mosque and the Sajjada Nasheen of the dargah respectively.

On the same day after the stroke of midnight the Sandal of Hz Khwaja Nayabe Rasool is celeberated. Before the sandal procession is taken out all the Khadims gather at the house of the Sajjada Nasheen where the sandal paste to be applied to the Mazar of Khwaja Rahmatullah is prepared with outmost care and respect. Prior to mixing the Sandal, the Sajjada Nasheen of the Dargah takes a ritual bath (Ghusl) from where he proceeds to complete the Sandal preperations. The Sandal Procession is then taken out from the house of the Sajjada Nasheen with much fanfare and brought to the tomb of Hazrat Haji Syed Khwaja Rahmatullah (RA) Nayabe Rasool. During the actual Sandal application ceremony only a select few people have access to the entire process namely the secretary of the board office, the khadims, family members of the Sajjada Nasheen, members of the dargah management board, representatives of the District Judge and other VIPs. After the ceremony is completed the applied Sandal is distributed to the general public waiting outside the tomb.

The next day i.e. on 26th Rabbi Ul Awwal Jashn-E-Charagan (ceremony of lamps) of Khwaja Nayabe rasool is celeberated. The Bawli (open well) inside the dargah premises and other parts of the dargah are decorated with earthen lamps that enhances the beauty of the already imposing dome. Devotees gather in and around the bawli and decorate it with different lighting patterns made out of lamps, candles etc. The dargah management palces lamps along the boundary of the Bawli that beautifully outlines the contours of the well. After Namaze Maghrib a special Salami is offered at the mazar of Khwaja Nayabe Rasool.

The Tahlil function (called Ziyarat at other places) is celeberated on the 27th of Rabbi Ul Awwal. Before the start of the function the wooden Tasbeeh (beeds) used by Khwaja Rahmatullah when he used to sit in Halqa along with his disciples, is displayed to the devotees. Milad and Fateha Khani are followed by a brief Sadal Application ceremony where the general public are allowed to apply sandal to the mazar of Khwaja Nayabe Rasool. This brings to an end the three day Sandal and Urs celeberations of Hazrat Haji Syed Khwaja Rahmatullah (RA) Nayabe Rasool.

Urs Hazrat Syeda Maa Habebunnisa (Rahmatullah Alaiha):

The yearly Sandal and Urs of Ammajan is celeberated on the 7th, 8th and 9th day of the Islamic month of Rabbi Ul Awwal. On 7th of Rabbi Ul Awwal after Namaze Asr the yearly Khatm-O-Quran is performed at the grand mosque (Madina Masjid) inside the dargah premises and an elaborate Fateha Khani preceeded by Milad and followed by Salat-O-Salam is performed in front of the female prayer hall (Zanana Ibadatkhana). The Khatm-O-Quran and Fateha ceremonies are presided over by the Pesh Imam of the mosque and the Sajjada Nasheen of the dargah respectively.

On the same day after the stroke of midnight the Sandal of Hz Syeda Habeebunnisa is celeberated. Before the sandal procession is taken out all the Khadims gather at the house of the Sajjada Nasheen where the sandal paste to be applied to the Mazar of Ammajan is prepared with outmost care and respect. Prior to mixing the Sandal, the Sajjada Nasheen of the Dargah takes a ritual bath (Ghusl) from where he proceeds to complete the Sandal preperations. The Sandal Procession is then taken out from the house of the Sajjada Nasheen with much fanfare and brought to the tomb of Hazrat Haji Syed Khwaja Rahmatullah (RA) Nayabe Rasool. During the actual Sandal application ceremony only a select few people have access to the entire process namely the secretary of the board office, the khadims, family members of the Sajjada Nasheen, members of the dargah management board, representatives of the District Judge and other VIPs. After the ceremony is completed the applied Sandal is distributed to the general public waiting outside the tomb.

The next day i.e. on 8th Rabbi Ul Awwal Jashn-E-Charagan (ceremony of lamps) of Ammajan is celeberated. The Bawli (open well) inside the dargah premises and other parts of the dargah are decorated with earthen lamps that enhances the beauty of the already imposing dome. Devotees gather in and around the bawli and decorate it with different lighting patterns made out of lamps, candles etc. The dargah management palces lamps along the boundary of the Bawli that beautifully outlines the contours of the well. After Namaze Maghrib a special Salami is offered at the dargah of Ammajan.

The Tahlil function (called Ziyarat at other places) is celeberated on the 9th of Rabbi Ul Awwal. Milad and Fateha Khani are followed by a brief Sadal Application ceremony where the general public are allowed to apply sandal to the mazar of Khwaja Nayabe Rasool (men are not allowed to touch the Mazar-E-Aqdas of Hz Syeda Maa Habeeba). This brings to an end the three day Sandal and Urs celeberations of Hazrat Syeda Maa Habeebunnisa (RA) urf Ammajan.

Sandal Maali:

The Sandal Maali of Hazrat Syeda Maa Habeebunnisa (Rahmatullah Alaiha) is celeberated on the 2nd or 3rd day of the Islamic month of Rabbi Ul Awwal. It also happens to be the only time of the year when the female devotees are allowed to enter the inner part of the dome (wherein lies the mazars of Khwaja Rahmatullah and Maa Habeeba). The event being the first among the chain of ritualistic events that are performed during the month in commemoration of the yearly Sandal and Urs celeberations of Hz Khjwaja Nayabe Rasool and Ammajan. A lot of people travel to Rahmatabad to attend this event.

What Is Sandal Maali ?

Sandal Maali is a ritual (rasm) that is generally performed a few days before the actual Sandal is celeberated. In this ritual the mazars are sprinkled and cleaned with rose water and are relaid and reshaped with a paste comprising of sandalwood powder, mud prepared from purified soil, aame haldi , itr (perfumes without any alcohol content) and other ingredients. The ritual is performed by the female members of the family of the Sajjada Nasheen on the mazar of Ammajan while the mazar of Khwaja Nayabe Rasool is tended by the male Khadims. The male devotees are allowed to apply sandal wood paste on the mazar of Khwaja Rahmatullah while the female devotees queue up to apply the same to the mazar of Syeda Maa Habeebunnisa. Since its the only time of the year when women are allowed entry inside the mazars there is an unprecedented rush of female devotees for this event. The ritual that starts after the daily Salam (read after Namaz-E-Isha) continues till late in the night.

Jhela:

The Jhela Mubarak of Hazrat Haji Syed Khwaja Rahmatullah (RA) Nayabe Rasool is celeberated on the 22nd day of the Islamic month of Rabbi Ul Awwal every year. It is one of the important events that takes place before the sandal of Khwaja Rahmatullah. In this practice the golden moon atop the Gumbaz (dome) of Khwaja Nayabe Rasool is decorated with Floral decorations. The first Jhela to be placed atop the golden moon is prepared and contributed by the Dargah Management and the Sajjada Nasheen while the subsequent jhelas are offered by the devotees. Different floral contributions by the devotees are tied to the bigger Jhelas which are then placed one by one along the golden moon which makes it a sight to behold.