Festival of Sufi believers

• Festival of Sufi believers

Once a year, thousands of Sufi believers from all over India come to the tomb of the Sufi saint Sultan-ul-Haji Nizamuddin Mashayha Nazrata Aulii in Ajmer, Rajasthan, on the Urs festival. This festival is held on the anniversary of the saint's death, it lasts six days and is celebrated in the seventh month of the Islamic calendar.

The Indian Sufi believer dancing during the procession to the Muslim shrine of Ajmer Sharif during the Urs festival in Ajmer, Rajasthan, India, May 21, 2012.

Muslims pray near the tomb of the Sufi saint Sultan-ul-Haji Mashayha Nazrata Aulii Nizamuddin in New Delhi, India, May 25, 2012.

The pilgrims pray near the mosque Adha-din-ka-Dzhhonpra in Ajmer, Rajasthan, India, May 25, 2012.

The trader sells hats believers near the shrine of Sufi saint Sultan-ul-Haji Nizamuddin Mashayha Nazrata Aulii during the Urs festival in New Delhi, India, May 24, 2012.

The elderly Indian Sufi believers rest near the tomb of the Sufi saint Sultan-ul-Haji Nizamuddin Mashayha Nazrata Aulii on the way to the temple Ajmer Sharif Urs festival in New Delhi, India, May 24, 2012.

The trader sells roses petals believers near the tomb of Sufi saint Sultan-ul-Haji Nizamuddin Mashayha Nazrata Aulii during the Urs festival in New Delhi, India, May 24, 2012.

The Indian Sufi believers looking out of the bus windows in anticipation of a trip to the temple Ajmer Sharif Urs festival in New Delhi, India, May 24, 2012.

The children get off the roof of the bus that brought them, before visiting the temple Ajmer Sharif in Ajmer, Rajasthan, India, May 23, 2012.

The Indian Sufi believers have breakfast under the bus that brought them, before visiting the temple Ajmer Sharif in Ajmer, Rajasthan, India, May 23, 2012.

The Indian Sufi believers are resting under the bus that brought them, before visiting the temple Ajmer Sharif, May 23, 2012.

The Indian Sufi believers gathered in the camp of pilgrims during the Urs festival in Ajmer, Rajasthan, India, May 23, 2012.

Children of the Sufi Orchestra "Qawalli" stand in the temple Ajmer Sharif during the festival, May 23, 2012.

The Indian Sufi believers in the church are chadar Ajmer Sharif.

The Indian Sufi believers visit Ajmer Sharif shrine.

The Indian Sufi believers look like men are chadar, while praying in the temple Ajmer Sharif.

The Indian Sufi believer crying in ecstasy during prayer in the temple Ajmer Sharif Urs festival in Ajmer, Rajasthan, India, May 23, 2012.

The Indian Sufi believer lies on the floor in a state of ecstasy while praying in the temple Ajmer Sharif.

Indian Sufi believer prays in the temple.

The Indian Sufi believer resting after prayers in the temple.

Indian Sufi believer cries out in ecstasy during prayer.

The girl yawns while waiting for the prayers in the temple Ajmer Sharif during the Urs festival, May 22, 2012.

Indian Sufi believer holds on hands of his son, who received the blessing of the temple Ajmer Sharif Urs festival in Ajmer, Rajasthan, India, May 22, 2012.

The Indian Sufi believer cries while praying in the temple Ajmer Sharif.

The Indian Sufi believers pray in the temple Ajmer Sharif in Ajmer.

The Indian Sufi believer holds on hands of his young child while praying in the temple.

The Indian Sufi believer holds in her arms her little child.

The Indian Sufi believer prays in the temple Ajmer Sharif during the Urs festival.

Indian Sufi believer waiting for customers near the temple Ajmer Sharif.

The Indian Sufi believers pray in the temple Ajmer Sharif.

The Indian Sufi believers pray the prayers in the temple Ajmer Sharif in Ajmer, Rajasthan, India, May 22, 2012.