Muslim and Christian Yatras

Muslim Yatras

 1.  Cheraman Juma Masjid, Thrissur, Keralais the oldest mosque in India built in 629 C.E. and reconstructed in the 11th The mosque has an an­cient oil lamp which burns constantly and believed to be more than 1000 years old. Pilgrims take oil for the lamp as an offering.

2.  Makhdoom Ali Mahimi, Mahim, Mumbai,celebrates the annual Urs festival of Hazrat Makhdum Ali Mahimi in the dargah of Mahimi at Mahim, Mumbai, drawing large crowds. He was a Sufi saint whose personal belongings are preserved in the masjid.

3.  Haji Ali Dargah, Worli, Mumbai,is located off the coast of Worli, Mumbai. The Urs of Pir Haji Ali Shah Bukhari is an important event when pilgrims visit the dargah. 10,000 to 15,000 people visit the dargah daily. The figure goes to lakhs during Eid and the Urs.

4.  Ajmer sharifis a Sufi shrine of Saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti, also known as Garib Nawaz, located at Ajmer in Rajasthan. The shrine contains the grave or Maqbara of the saint. The main attractions of the annual Urs are the kalanders or pilgrims from Mehrauli, called the friends of Gharib Nawaz, who walk all the way to Ajmer from Delhi and offer colourful chadders with gold and silver threads.

Christian Yatras

1.   Basilica of Bom Jesus, Goa,is the location of the relics of St. Francis Xavier, a Roman Catholic Missionary and co-founder of the Society of Jesus. His body is kept in a silver casket in the Basilica of Bom Jesus in Goa and exposed every 10 years, drawing vast crowds. It is an important pilgrimage centre for Roman Catholics

2. Mount Mary Church, Mumbai,is a Roman Catholic Basilica in Bandra, Mumbai. The birthday of Virgin Mary is celebrated here every September, followed by a weeklong celebration known as the Bandra Fair, which is visited by thousands of pilgrims.

3. Niranam Church,also known as Niranam Valiya Pally, or the mother of all churches in Kerala, is the oldest church of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church of Kerala, situated near Thiruvalla. It is believed that the church was founded by St. Thomas in 54 CE and that the Christian community in Niranam is the oldest in the world. The church was reconstructed several times. The two statues of St. Mary made of pure gold and marble are the major tourist attractions. The church is famous for its 8 day celebration held from September 1 to 8 every year and attended by thousands of devotees.

4. Maramon Conventionis the largest Christian convention in the world, held annually in February at Maramon, Pathanamthitta, in Kerala,along the Pampa river. It is organized by the Mar Thoma Evangelistic  Association,the missionary wing of the Mar Thoma Church, believed to  have been founded by St. Thomas. Christians come here once a year to listen to the gospel as read and expounded by Christian leaders from all over India and abroad.

 

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