New Delhi: Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Saturday offered a chadar at Ajmer Sharif Dargah on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the annual Urs celebrations of the revered 13th-century Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, also known as Garib Nawaz.
The 813th Urs Mubarak brought thousands of devotees together, both from India and abroad, to honour the saint’s teachings of love, compassion and harmony.
On the very auspicious occasion of the 813th Urs of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, I had the privilege of visiting the revered Dargah Ajmer Sharif. On behalf of Hon’ble PM Shri @narendramodi ji, I offered the sacred chadar, a timeless gesture of faith, unity & peace that inspires… pic.twitter.com/pWOOQw93yh
— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) January 4, 2025
PM Modi’s message of peace and unity
Prime Minister Modi extended his warm greetings to the devotees attending the Urs and to followers of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti worldwide. In his message, the Prime Minister highlighted the saint’s ideals of love and societal harmony, emphasizing that they continue to inspire generations.
“The celebration of Urs strengthens mutual bonding among people and promotes unity,” PM Modi said. The chadar, a gift from the Prime Minister, was offered at the shrine as a symbol of peace and inclusiveness.
A tradition
Since assuming office, PM Modi has upheld the tradition of sending a chadar to Ajmer Sharif annually. This year marked the 11th time the Prime Minister has participated in this ritual, reaffirming the importance of the dargah as a symbol of cultural and religious unity.
Speaking at the dargah, Rijiju said, “This chadar represents PM Modi’s message of peace, harmony, and unity. The dargah is a place where people of all religions come together to strengthen the idea of a united India.”
Rijiju also shared the moment on X, calling the act a “reflection of deep respect for India’s rich spiritual heritage and its enduring message of harmony and compassion.”
813th Urs Mubarak saw thousands of devotees converge on Ajmer Sharif, celebrating the saint’s enduring legacy. People from different walks of life came together to honor Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti’s teachings of equality and togetherness.
Rijiju expressed the government’s commitment to enhancing the pilgrimage experience for the lakhs of visitors who attend the Urs every year. He stated, “Efforts are underway to simplify and improve the journey for all devotees, ensuring they do not face any difficulties during their spiritual experience.”
“Ajmer Sharif is a symbol of India’s diversity and unity,” he said. “We hope for a harmonious atmosphere in the country where everyone, irrespective of their religion, is welcome at such sacred places,” he added.
