Located in the bustling Dandia Bazaar area, the Khanqah-e-Rifaiya stands as a historic and spiritual landmark in the heart of the city. Over 200 years old, this dargah is dedicated to Hazrat Saiyed Fakhruddin, also known as Amirmiyan Rifai, a revered figure from the Refaia silsila of Basra, Iraq. The dargah is celebrated for its healing properties attributed to its holy ash and water.
The Tale of the King and the Pir
The story of the dargah’s establishment is intertwined with a remarkable tale involving Maharaja Khanderao Gaekwad. When Hazrat Saiyed Fakhruddin arrived in the city, the Maharaja opposed his presence near the palace and ordered his removal. The Baba, unperturbed, was invited by the king to demonstrate his powers.
In a display of his divine abilities, the Baba served a chicken dish to everyone present and then miraculously produced the same chicken alive from his turban. However, one leg of the chicken was missing, having been concealed by a soldier. The Baba identified the culprit through his supernatural insight, leading to the soldier’s confession. Impressed by this miracle, the Maharaja offered the Baba twenty-five villages and a prime location for his hermitage. The Baba declined the villages but accepted the site, where the dargah now stands.
Symbol of Communal Harmony
The Khanqah-e-Rifaiya is a living example of India’s ethos of “Unity in Diversity.” Located in a predominantly Hindu area, the dargah is visited by people from various religious and caste backgrounds. This spirit of inclusivity is evident in the daily practices and traditions associated with the dargah:
Manjuben’s Legacy: A Hindu woman from the Mali caste, Manjuben, has been selling flowers at the entrance for generations, underscoring the dargah’s acceptance and reverence among different communities.
Pre-Marital Obeisance: It is a common practice for both Hindus and Muslims to visit the dargah before marriage, highlighting the temple’s role in life’s significant events.
Annual Urs and Rituals: Every year, during the Urs, a donation of Rs. 740 is sent by the Gaekwad Family as part of a 200-year-old tradition. The dargah remains a symbol of unity, particularly during Muharram and other significant occasions, when people from all walks of life gather for communal worship and celebration.
Management and Rituals
The dargah is managed by a Trust and overseen by a Gadipati, a hereditary head who has been taking care of the dargah for five generations. The Gadipati is responsible for maintaining the dargah, providing guidance to devotees, and dispensing holy ash, water, or amulets (Tabiz) for healing purposes.
The dargah is especially busy on Thursdays and Fridays, with devotees offering food, sweets, molasses, coconuts, and flowers as part of their vows. The Urs, held for three days on 28-29 Rabi al-Awwal, draws thousands of visitors from various backgrounds, showcasing the dargah’s role as a unifying force in the community.
The Khanqah-e-Rifaiya continues to stand as a beacon of communal harmony and spiritual unity in the city. Its enduring legacy reflects the deep-seated cultural values of acceptance and faith that define the Indian ethos.
Some of text has been written from Book ‘Gujarat Unknown’
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