Ajmer Sharif to serve vegetarian langar on PM Modi’s 74th birthday: Know what’s on the menu

To celebrate Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 74th birthday on September 17, the Ajmer Sharif Dargah will prepare and distribute 4,000 kilograms of vegetarian langar.

Syed Afshan Chishty, Gaddi Nashin of the Dargah Ajmer Sharif, announced that the langar will include rice, pure ghee, and dried fruits, and it will be distributed among devotees and the underprivileged.

“On the occasion of his (PM Modi’s) birthday, seva programmes will be organised at religious places in the country…On the occasion of his 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, the Gurus and poor people around us will also be given langar as a service,” he told ANI on Wednesday.

According to Dargah officials, this initiative is part of their ‘Sewa Pakhwada’ celebrations — a campaign started last year on PM Modi’s birthday, which citizens can participate in to wish the premier a happy birthday.

The langar will be prepared in the iconic ‘Big Shahi Deg,’ upholding the 550-year-old tradition of Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chishty’s Dargah.

On September 17, his birthday, PM Modi would often come to Gandhinagar to seek Hiraba’s blessings. (Express file photo)

“In celebration of the birthday of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and in conjunction with ‘Sewa Pakhwada,’ the historic and world-famous ‘Big Shahi Deg’ 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 upheld for over 550 years,” an official statement from the Dargah authorities said.

“We will also pray for the long life of PM Modi on his birthday. The entire langar is being organised by the Indian Minority Foundation and Chishty Foundation of Ajmer Sharif,” Syed Afshan Chishty told ANI.

The preparations will begin with the lighting of the ‘Big Shahi Deg’ at 10:30 PM inside the Dargah of Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chishty, followed by special ‘dua’ for peace, unity, prosperity, and the well-being of PM Modi and all citizens.

The ‘Big Shahi Deg,’ one of the world’s largest cooking vessels, can prepare up to 4000 kg of food and has been used for centuries to serve langar. Throughout the night, devotees and volunteers will gather to offer prayers, recite Quranic verses, and perform ‘Naats’ and ‘Qawwalis’, the dargah authorities said.

The langar distribution will continue throughout the morning, ensuring that all attendees and nearby residents have the opportunity to partake in the meal. Volunteers will assist in distributing the food in an organised manner, according to the press release as quoted by ANI.

“The event will conclude with prayers of gratitude and unity for the welfare of the nation and all humanity. This event not only marks the celebration of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday but also reflects the spirit of ‘sewa’ (service) and community welfare that is central to the teachings of Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chishty,” said the Dargah authorities.

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