Ajmer Sharif, Nizaam-e-Urs of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, is a reflection of love, peace, and spiritual trance. The Deg (a large cauldron) became one of its many traditions.
Neither the Ansari family nor any of the 25 men on call had ever seen anything like it in half a century since they started cooking water suffused with rice, herbs, and spices to prepare what has come to be known as Ajmer Sharif Deg.
Read about the hallowed tradition and religious customs pertaining to Ajmer Sharif Deg and its history, including homeopathy and astrology.
Origin of Ajmer Sharif Deg
How did Ajmer Sharif Dég come into existence?
The history behind the Ajmer Sharif Dargah Deg is over centuries old. The Deg, introduced by Mughal Emperor Akbar, was meant to feed the poor and needy. This tradition of serving food to every visitor regardless of caste, creed, or background sums up the message Khwaja Garib Nawaz — Love all and serve Humanity were his Sufistic teachings. Ajmer urs 2025 date and time
Evolution Over Time
With the passage of time, this tradition has seen a lot of changes, but it still stands. Deg are used to prepare food, such as huge pots of rice, and meat that is cooked in them is given out among the believers and poor people. A quintessence of Sufi and Sikh beliefs, the practice is called Langar, where one can share food and partake in community.
The capacity of Ajmer Sharif Deg
The Deg Capacity Explained
The capacity of the Ajmer Sharif Deg is, indeed, a wonder to behold. There are two Degs on the shrine — a smaller one big enough to hold 2,400 kg of food and another larger vessel with a capacity of upto 4,800kg. The giant cauldrons filled with ingredients offered by the devotees give a glimpse of Tamid's bowl, which embodies collective spirit and charity.
Managing the Cooking Process
The cooking in the Ajmer Sharif Deg is a very well-controlled process. This will take you through multiple steps: choosing the ingredients, starting a fire, and keeping in mind that you should only cook food that is cooked perfectly. Usually, the Degs are used for cooking recipes such as Kheer (a sweet rice pudding) or Zarda(sweet saffron Rice) to be distributed among everyone.
Ajmer Sharif Deg Rituals
The Importance of the deg ceremony
The rituals in the Ajmer Sharif Deg carry religious sanctity with them. These Degs are then washed, furnished, and kept in front of the particular Akhara after implementing relevant verses to energize them. The food cooked in the Degs is known to be blessed, and eating it imbues one with the blessings of deities, translating into good luck and spiritual benefits.
Community Participation
Ajmer Sharif Deg is not just a tradition but also community participation. People from all backgrounds provide ingredients, prepare meals, and then distribute them to others. Working together helps to develop a shared brain and make sure we all see the same value of compassion, selflessness, etc.
