Khanqah-e-Rifaiya

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The Khanqah-e-Rifaiya is a dargah situated in Dandia Bazaar area in the heart of the city. It is a more than 200 year old structure dedicated as a memorial to Hazrat Saiyed Fakhruddin alias Amirmiyan Rifai. The ancestors of the revered Baba belonged to Refaia silsila from Basra in Iraq. The dargah is very famous among the locals for the healing powers of its holy ash & water.

A tale of King and a Pir :

At the time of the arrival of the Pir Baba in the city, the then king of the city Maharaja Khanderao Gaekwad strongly opposed to his halting at a site right opposite to the palace. He sent his soldiers to evict the Baba, but the Baba refused to be dislodged. The king being adamant on his believes then invited him to show his powers to prove his credentials.

The Baba then served a chicken dish to everybody and after which he brought out the chicken alive from his turban.But it was missing a leg since it was hidden by a soldier, the Baba quickly found out about this, on account of his divine powers, and the culprit soon admitted to his guilt.

After witnessing this miracle the king offered him twenty five villages and a site across the palace to establish his hermitage.The Baba refused the villages but set up his hermitage on the site, where the dargah stands today.

One Religion-FAITH :

It is true what they say about India : “Unity in diversity” and this dargah is a standing example of this.The place where the dargah is situated is a Hindu locality consisting of people of Kahars (fisherman caste), Gaekwads, Marathas and Vaniyas castes. This place of faith knows no difference between the people of different casts or religions and is predominantly visited by Hindus.

There are many examples of this communal harmony one of which was represented by Manjuben. A Hindu, belonging to Mali caste who used to sell flowers at the entrance gate every day. Her family had been serving the devotees of the dargah for the past three generations.It is also a common practice for both the Hindus and Muslims alike to pay their obeisance at the dargah before getting married.  Apart from this every year during the Urs Rs. 740 is sent to the dargah by the Gaekwad Family of Baroda as a part of a 200 year old tradition.

Another example of this unity was seen during the 2002 riots when some Hindu zealots from outside the locality had attacked the dargah from behind, but were chased off by the Hindu and Jain devotees from the locality.

The dargah is managed by a Trust and a Khanqah — a Gadipati — the head whose post is transferred hereditarily. The Gadipatis have been taking care of the dargah for the last five generations. Apart from taking care of the dargah, the Gadipati also advises and gives directions of life to the devotees. It is also the duty of this Gadipati to give holy ash and water or a “Tabiz” (amulet), to cure the sick.

The dargah is usually more crowded on Thursdays and Fridays. Many devotees offer food to the visitors as a part of nyaz — vow and offering. Devotees also offer sweets, molasses, coconuts and flowers as offerings to the shrine.The Urs which is held for three days on 28-29 Rabi awal is attended by thousands of devotees belonging to all castes and creed. Thousands flock at the dargah during the time of Muharram as well when the tazia is taken out.

Thus stands this Dargah in the heart of the city proudly representing the Indian culture of unity in diversity and faith.

Some of text has been written from Book ‘Gujarat Unknown’

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