Mumbai: Annual Mahim fair to start from today

Mumbai: Annual Mahim fair to start from today

The 10-day gazetted religious event is known for the age-old practice of 'sandal' offering by the Mumbai police

Staff ReporterUpdated: Thursday, December 08, 2022, 01:53 AM IST
article-image
File Photo

Mumbai: The ten-day Mahim fair held annually in the honour of Makhdoom Shah Baba (Mahim dargah) will start from today. The event, which has been gazetted since 1910, has the honour of Mumbai police offering the first sandal or offerings to the 14th century Sufi saint Makhdum Fakih Ali Mahimi whose grave is inside the Mahim dargah. The sandal is an assortment of sandalwood paste, flower and shawl.

More than 400 sandals are offered during the fair which sees qawwalis, giant wheels, games and food stalls being put up in the dargah vicinity. “The fair normally happens in December on the 13th day of the Urdu Calendar. This time it is from Dec 8-17. On the first day post afternoon namaz, the police pick up the sandal, go around the area and then offer it to Makhdoom Shah Baba. As the cops make the offering, a police band plays along. At around 6pm, nagara or drum is beaten, which announces the start of the fair,” said Sohail Khandwani, Managing Trustee of the Pir Makhdum Sahib Charitable Trust which looks after the Mahim dargah.

He further said that the next sandal is offered by the management. The dargah is cleaned in the night and devotees make offerings from the next day onwards. The sandal which is now offered by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) or Senior Inspector of the Mahim police station was once used to be offered by the Commissioner of Police. Over a period of time due to changing circumstances, officers other than the police chief started to make the offering. “Last time, both the DCP and Additional Commissioner of Police had come. As per protocol, the senior cop offers sandal,” said Mr Khandwani.

There are many legends as to why the Mumbai police is allowed to offer the first sandal. According to folklore, the saint had helped a policing authority to nab thieves and the practice to make an offering started post his death. There is no authentic proof as to why police offer the first sandal. It's just a precedent, said Mr Khandwani.

“This time I am likely to go for the offering,” said Manoj Patil, Zone 5 DCP under whose jurisdiction the dargah comes.

RECENT STORIES

Mumbai: Dog Deaths Spark Demand For Stronger Laws Against Animal Cruelty

Mumbai: Dog Deaths Spark Demand For Stronger Laws Against Animal Cruelty

Mumbai News: Fake Policeman Collects Donations For Holi Celebration; Arrested

Mumbai News: Fake Policeman Collects Donations For Holi Celebration; Arrested

Mumbai: High Court Warns State Govt For Slow Progress In New HC Building In BKC

Mumbai: High Court Warns State Govt For Slow Progress In New HC Building In BKC

Mumbai: Fake Doctor Arrested For Running Illegal Clinic In Malvani West

Mumbai: Fake Doctor Arrested For Running Illegal Clinic In Malvani West

Mumbai: BMC Issues Notices To Metro Contractors Over Wadala Casting Yard’s Property Tax

Mumbai: BMC Issues Notices To Metro Contractors Over Wadala Casting Yard’s Property Tax