Pranab pays obeisance at Ajmer Dargah

Ajmer, Jul 9: President Pranab Mukherjee today paid obeisance at the 'Dargah' of revered Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti here.

Accompanied by Rajasthan Governor Margaret Alva, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and Union Minister Sachin Pilot, the President offered prayers at the shrine. They offered velvet 'chadars' -- ceremonial cloth inscribed with religious verses -- and flowers at the saint’s mausoleum.

'Dastarbandi' (turban tying) also took place after they offered prayers. The President was gifted a sword as a token of respect by the 'Dargah' committee. Anjuman, a body of Khadims, gave him a silver miniature model of the 'Dargah'.

Tight security arrangements were made for Mukherjee's visit to the shrine. The President, on a two-day visit to Rajasthan, was received at the Nizam gate, main entrance, by Dargah's spiritual head Zainul Abedin Ali Khan and representatives of the body of Khadims (priests).

PTI