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PM Modi to Send Ceremonial 'Chadar' to Ajmer Sharif Dargah for 11th Consecutive Year Amidst Shiva Temple Controversy
Amidst the ongoing controversy surrounding the claim that the Ajmer Sharif Dargah is actually a Shiva temple, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to continue his long-standing tradition of sending a ceremonial 'chadar' to the revered shrine on Thursday. This marks his 11th year participating in the ritual, which he has observed annually since becoming Prime Minister.
The ceremonial 'chadar' will be handed over to Union Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju and BJP Minority Morcha President Jamal Siddiqui at 6 pm. The two leaders will then present it at the dargah during the Urs of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, a key event marking the death anniversary of the Sufi saint.
Since taking office, PM Modi has sent the 'chadar' to the Ajmer Sharif Dargah ten times, and this year will be his 11th participation in this act of devotion. Last year, during the 812th Urs, the 'chadar' was presented on his behalf by then Union Minister Smriti Irani and Jamal Siddiqui, along with a delegation from the Muslim community.
The gesture comes at a time when the shrine is embroiled in legal and religious controversy. A month ago, a Rajasthan court accepted a petition from the Hindu Sena, alleging that a Shiva temple lies beneath the Ajmer Sharif Dargah. This claim was further fueled in November when a local court issued a notice in response to a civil suit filed by the Hindu Sena, prompting further debate.
In response to these allegations, the Ajmer Sharif Dargah Committee filed an application in December, urging the dismissal of the petition. The next hearing is scheduled for January 24.
The Ajmer Sharif Dargah attracts millions of devotees every year during the Urs festival. The event is a time for worship, reflection, and seeking blessings. Offering the 'chadar' is seen as a powerful form of devotion during this sacred observance. The 813th Urs of Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti began on December 28 and continues to be observed with deep reverence. Devotees from all corners of India and abroad gather at the shrine to honor the saint's legacy and seek his blessings.
