Photo Documentary – Annual Pilgrimage of Sufi and Fakirs In India
Fakir in trance during the procession marking the first day of a journey to Ajmer. Fakirs believe in directing anger towards themselves rather then towards others. Annual pilgrimage to the tomb of the Muslim Sufi saint Kwaja Gharib Nawaz in Ajmer,India.
The content of this post was submitted to Edge of Humanity Magazine by photographer Pawel Bienkowski.
Sufi pilgrim. Pilgrims coming from all over India to join pilgrimage to the tomb of Sufi saint Kwaja Gharib Nawaz but Bengali like this man are always great in number.
There is a tomb in Ajmer,India respected by all regardless of caste or religion. Its the resting place of Kwaja Gharib Nawaz (the Benefactor of the poor) This story is about love to a holy man who is spiritual founder of Islam in India . He was one of the first Sufi saints in India. From the time of Prophet Muhammad some of the hidden knowledge was transmitted ”from heart to heart” that is how the Sufi lineages began. For every outside there is an inside .Sufism is a soul of Islam.
Every year a colorful crowd of fakirs and devotees coming all the way from Delhi to Ajmer (500km)by foot ,on wheelchairs ,bicycles , motor bikes to pay respect to their beloved Baba. They go for the Urs(festival) which is not only a memorial service in the name of Kwaja Baba, but also a sacred wedding of the soul to God.
Pierced by experts and rewarded by believers,Delhi,India.
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Sufi saints enjoy smoking chilum(clay pipe filled with ganja) at the first meeting in front of Jama Masjid in Delhi before starting journey to Ajmer.
Fakir with his companions and his chilum.
Marijuana is an important part of the Sufi culture in India, regarded as a holy plant also giving relief from the pain, during a long journey.
Annual pilgrimage to the tomb of the Muslim Sufi saint Kwaja Gharib Nawaz in Ajmer,India
Let’s go , starting point,Delhi.
Head fakir of Assam society performs,Delhi,India
Click on any image to see Pawel’s archives and portfolio.
Sufi pilgrims on the way to the tomb of great Sufi saint Kwaja Gharib Nawaz in Ajmer,India
Sufi pilgrims on the way to the tomb of great Sufi saint Kwaja Gharib Nawaz in Ajmer,India
Sqouting any empty space to sleep is Indian specialty.
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By Pawel Bienkowski