Ajmer Sharif Dargah will prepare and distribute 4,000 kg of vegetarian “langar” food on September 17 to mark Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 74th birthday.
An official statement issued by the Dargah authorities said, “To commemorate Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday and in conjunction with the “Seva Pakhwada”, the historic and world famous “Badi Shahi Deeg” at Ajmer Dargah Sharif will once again be used to prepare and distribute 4000 kg of vegetarian “Langar” food, continuing a tradition that has been going on for over 550 years.”
Speaking to ANI on Wednesday, Gaddi Nashin of Dargah Ajmer Sharif Syed Afshan Chishti said that vegetarian food will be distributed to the people.
He told ANI on Wednesday, “On the occasion of his (PM Modi’s) birthday, seva programmes will be organised at religious places across the country… On the occasion of PM Modi’s birthday, we will prepare 4,000 kg of vegetarian food, which will include rice and pure ghee, dry fruits and distribute it. Along with this, langar will also be given as seva to gurus and poor people around us.”
Syed Afshan Chishti said, “We will also pray for the long life of Prime Minister Modi on his birthday. The entire langar is being organised by the Indian Minority Foundation and the Chishti Foundation of Ajmer Sharif.”
The entire process from lighting the “deeg” to distribution of food is done with utmost reverence and care, with thousands of devotees and sadhaks coming to pay their respects. The celebrations will begin with lighting of the “Badi Shahi Deeg” inside the dargah of Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti at 10:30 pm. Special prayers (dua) will be offered for peace, unity, prosperity and the well-being of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, according to the release.
Dargah officials gave this information and said, “The prayers will also include prayers for the success of the “Seva Pakhwada” and the well-being of all citizens. The “Degh” is one of the world’s largest cooking vessels, capable of preparing up to 4000 kg of food, and has been used for centuries to serve “langar” to devotees. During the overnight cooking process, devotees and volunteers will gather to pray and recite “Quranic verses”, “Naat” (devotional songs), and “Manqabat”, Qawwali (poems in praise of saints).”
The distribution will continue throughout the morning, so that all attendees and the surrounding community can partake of the sacred meal. Volunteers will help distribute the food in an organized manner, according to the release.
Dargah officials said, “The event will conclude with a prayer of gratitude and unity for the welfare of the nation and all humanity. The event not only symbolises the celebration of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday but also reflects the spirit of “seva” and community welfare, which is at the core of the teachings of Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti.”
