Urs of the ‘Parrot of India’ (Hazrat Amir Khusrau): A Centuries-Old Tradition of Interfaith Harmony
By: Asghar Ali Mubarak
The Urs of Hazrat Amir Khusrau (RA) reflects a centuries-old tradition of interfaith harmony and cultural synthesis, drawing people from all walks of life. Hazrat Amir Khusrau (RA)—known as the ‘Parrot of India’ (Tuti-e-Hind)—stands as the foremost architect of the Subcontinent’s shared and harmonious cultural identity. Standing at the exquisite confluence of spiritual devotion and artistic innovation, he molded courtly language, folk traditions, and Sufi music into a unique form that remains a defining characteristic of the region, even seven centuries after his passing. A prominent pillar of the Chishti Sufi order, he is celebrated not only for his profound spiritual devotion but also as the pioneer of Qawwali and the inventor of classical musical instruments such as the Sitar and Dholak. The schedule for the 722nd Urs (1448 AH / 2027 CE) of this great Sufi saint, poet, and scholar has now been finalized.
The cultural landscape of South Asia is not merely a collection of diverse regional traditions; rather, it is a refined and beautiful masterpiece, the fabric of which was woven in the 13th century by the figure the world knows as Amir Khusrau (RA).
The traditional spiritual observances will commence in Delhi, India, on the 18th of Shawwal, 1448 AH, corresponding to the spring of 2027 CE. Thousands of pilgrims, devotees, and Qawwals from across South Asia—including large delegations from Pakistan—are expected to gather at the Nizamuddin Dargah complex to pay their respects.
Hazrat Amir Khusrau (RA) (disciple of Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya) | Location: Nizamuddin West, Delhi, India | Hijri Date: 18 Shawwal 1448 AH (Main Day) | Solar Calendar Year: 2027 CE | Key Rituals: Ghusl (ritual bathing), Chadar Poshi (offering of the ceremonial shroud), Qawwali gatherings, and special prayers for global peace.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs is expected to issue the official quota and application guidelines for the Pakistani pilgrim delegation in the coming months. Devotees wishing to travel across the border—whether via the Wagah Border or by air—should complete the preparation of their travel documents prior to the finalization of the bilateral schedule.Amir Khusrau was born in 1253 in Patiali (India) to a Turkic officer, while his mother was of Indian origin. This mixed heritage enabled him to serve as a magnificent bridge between diverse cultures.
The defining focus of his life was his profound and passionate devotion to the great Chishti Sufi saint, Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya. This spiritual bond transformed Khusrau’s immense artistic talent into a vehicle for divine love, elevating his contributions from mere entertainment to the status of sacred cultural heritage.
In the realm of literature, Amir Khusrau was a visionary who commanded equal mastery over both the Persian language of the elite and the vernacular of the common people—Hindavi. As a Persian poet, his verses astonished even the renowned poets of Shiraz and Isfahan.
He completed a Khamsa (a collection of five long narrative poems) in the tradition of the great Persian poet Nizami Ganjavi; this work garnered immense acclaim across the Islamic world for its linguistic elegance, emotional depth, and structural excellence. Yet, his most significant achievement was his embrace of the local language.
Amir Khusrau is widely regarded as one of the pioneering figures of “Hindavi”—the early form of modern Urdu and Hindi.
By blending complex Persian vocabulary with the fluid rhythms of Hindavi, he created a language that resonated with people from all walks of life.
His riddles, mukarnis (enigmatic verses), and songs celebrating the monsoon season captured the essence of the daily lives, joys, and sorrows of the common people of the subcontinent. Through these minor and indigenous literary genres, Khusrau took literature out of the royal courts of the Delhi Sultanate and brought it into the homes of the common people. Alongside literature, Amir Khusrau brought about a revolutionary transformation in the entire structure of South Asian music. The most enduring and living miracle of his musical legacy is the invention of “Qawwali”—a devotional and ecstatic style of singing practiced by Sufis.
To give a melodious expression to the Sufi philosophy of the Chishti Order, Khusrau established the “Qawwal Bachchon ka Gharana” (the first formal school for singers). He selected a group of young musicians and trained them in a new vocal style that blended the technical principles of Persian vocalization, Arabic meters, and traditional Indian classical music.
By making music a vehicle for the propagation of Islamic Sufism, Khusrau transformed it into a popular and spiritual movement. His musical innovations were not limited to vocal performance alone.
Amir Khusrau accomplished the historic task of merging the solemn style of ancient Indian music with the dynamic traditions of Persia and Central Asia. He introduced genres such as “Khayal” (which offered vocal freedom, contrasting with the rigid rules of the ancient Dhrupad style) and “Tarana” (a vocal form based on the rhythm of Arabic and Persian words) into classical singing.
According to tradition, his inventive spirit also transformed the physical form of the Subcontinent’s fundamental musical instruments. He transformed the ancient three-stringed Veena to invent the versatile Sitar (a name derived from the Persian Seh-tar, meaning “three strings”) and created the Tabla by splitting the traditional Pakhawaj drum into two parts—an instrument that remains central to the classical and folk music of North India and Pakistan to this day. The true greatness of Hazrat Amir Khusrau lies in the fact that the legacy he created remains vibrant and alive. Even today, whenever a South Asian sings a song of the monsoon, plays an evening Raga on the Sitar, or sways to the rhythm of Qawwali at the shrine of a Sufi saint, they are, in essence, living within the realm of Amir Khusrau’s imagination. He made the profound philosophies of Sufism accessible to the common person—allowing them to be sung, recited, and deeply felt—and it is for this reason that he continues to reign over millions of hearts, transcending the barriers of centuries, languages, and religious divides.The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, Government of Pakistan, has issued detailed procedures regarding online registration, bank account details, and fee submission for Pakistani pilgrims wishing to attend the 2027 Urs of Hazrat Amir Khusrau (RA) in New Delhi, India. The Urs is tentatively scheduled to take place from March 22 to March 29, 2027 (18 Shawwal 1448 AH); in the event of a high volume of applications, a public ballot will be held on October 23, 2026, at 2:00 PM in the Committee Room (1st Floor, Kohsar Block, Islamabad). The government has clarified that final dates will be determined following final clearance from the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi. These details are provided in continuation of the press release previously issued by the Ministry. According to the Ministry of Religious Affairs, pilgrims have until September 25, 2026, to submit their online forms and original documents. Interested pilgrims must submit their applications online via the link provided on the Ministry’s official website, www.mora.gov.pk. Before submitting the application, pilgrims are required to deposit a non-refundable application fee of PKR 1,000 into the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony’s account (Account No. 3035053332) at the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP), Main Branch (Code: 0341), Civic Center, Islamabad. After depositing the fee, it is mandatory to upload a copy of the bank receipt to the portal along with the online application. Subsequently, the original printed application form and the original bank receipt must be submitted by September 25… Applications must be sent by 2026 to the following address: Section Officer (Ziarat), Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, 1st Floor, Kohsar Complex, Block [Number/Letter], Opposite Punjab House, Sector G-5, Islamabad. For further information or guidance, pilgrims may contact the Ministry at 051-9211670.
