Urs, Galiyakot

Urs, Galiyakot

Galiyakot is a small village of Tehsil Sagwara in Dungarpur District. It is located on the banks of the river Mahi and holds special significance for Dawoodi Bohras, a sect of the Ismaili Shia Muslims. They converge at Galiyakot for ziyarat (pilgrimage) at the memorial of the revered saint, Sayyed Fakhruddin. The mausoleum is called Mazar-e-Fakhri. The followers of the saint arrive here not only from the States of Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Rajasthan but also from abroad.

Urs which is celebrated on the 27th day of Moharram, the first month of the Muslim calendar. Many devotees seek blessings of the saint to have their wishes fulfilled. This is called mannat and generally the devotees come to the shrine again to express their gratitude after their wishes are fulfilled.

The tomb is decorated with flowers and lit up with lamps before the ceremonies begin. The Urs is initiated with mass prayers and recitation of the Holy Quran. A devotional gathering called 'majlis' is held wherein songs are sung in praise of the saint. The ceremonies of the Urs are headed by the Dai-UI-Mutlaq, who is the religious head of the community. People make offerings at the shrine consisting of sweets, fruits, coconut and jaggery.

Besides Dungarpur, the nearest rail head is Dahod, on the Delhi-Mumbai route and the 96 kms distance from here to Galiyakot can be covered by bus. Another route is from Ratlam, 144 kms. A bus service connects the village to Udaipur, 160 kms.