urs
Urs may refer to more than one concept in different cultural contexts. In Sufism and the Indian subcontinent, Urs denotes the death anniversary of a Sufi saint. The term comes from Persian and is often interpreted as a “wedding” or union with the divine, marking the saint’s passage from earthly life to communion with God. Urs ceremonies are typically held at the saint’s dargah (shrine) and may occur on the saint’s anniversary or another date in accordance with the lunar calendar. Observances commonly include prayers, dhikr (remembrance of God), qawwali or other devotional music, poetry recitations, and communal meals. Pilgrims visit shrines to pay respects, and the event can attract sizable crowds with accompanying local fairs and markets. The scale, rituals, and duration of an Urs vary by shrine and region, with several major Urs celebrations lasting multiple days across parts of India and Pakistan.
Urs is also a male given name used in German-speaking countries, particularly in Switzerland. In this usage,
In summary, Urs can refer to a traditional Sufi death-anniversary festival observed at shrines in South Asia,