Ajmer shrine: Khadims pay crores for cauldrons

May 11, 2012 - Narayan Bareth |

Age Correspondent

Jaipur

A group of khadims (caretakers) finalised the bidding for two historical degs or cauldrons at the Ajmer shrine for 15 days by offering `1,89,25000 during the annual urs. The group, led by Nasir Hashim, got the right to cook food as prasad or niyaz in two huge cauldrons presented by Mughal Emperors Akbar and Jahangir.
“It is the highest offering for the two degs so far,” says Saiyd Hissamuddin, president of the Anjuman, the representative body of the khadims. “The money collected by the bidding is used in social work and charity, he added. The bidding process started on Wednesday in Ajmer and lasted for 16 hours. Last time, a group of khadims got the contact by paying Rs `1,53,00000.
The annual urs of Sufi Saint Khawaja Moinuddin Chishti is expected to begin from May 22. “Since this place a symbol of communal harmony and brotherhood, the prasad cooked in the degs will be essentially vegetarian,” says Anjuman’s senior member Sarwar Chishti.
During the Urs, devotees from India and abroad offer prayers and contribute in food. “The food is made with saffron, rice and herbs,” says Mr Chishti.
According to the Anjuman, Mughal Emperor Akbar had great faith in the holy shrine.

***
Siachen talks on June 11-12, says pakistan
Islamabad, May 10: India and Pakistan will hold their next round of talks on the military standoff on Siachen glacier in Islamabad on June 11-12 against the backdrop of renewed calls from the Pakistani civil and military leadership for the demilitarisation of the world’s highest battlefield.
“Pakistan and India will hold talks on the Siachen issue on June 11-12 at Islamabad,” foreign office spokesperson Moazzam Khan said in a brief statement this evening.
He did not give details.
The last round of talks on Siachen was held in Delhi by the defence secretaries of the two countries almost a year ago.
The announcement by Mr Khan came shortly after diplomatic sources told PTI that Pakistan had asked India to reschedule the talks on the Sir Creek border dispute.
— PTI

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