Sonia offers chadar at Ajmer Sharif

AJMER: AICC president Sonia Gandhi today offered a chadar at the dargah of sufi saint Moinuddin Chishti's dargah on the occasion of the 799th Urs.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot offered the chadar on behalf of Gandhi.

Handing over the chadar to Congress leaders yesterday, she had also sent a message saying, "Khawaja Saheb's life continues to inspire all of us.

"He symbolises the wonderful cultural traditions of India and the glorious secular values that have been the defining characteristic of our society.

"Even after so many centuries his message is still relevant and resonates powerfully."

Union Minister Mukul Vasnik read out the message at the Mehfil-Khana of the dargah.

Khadim of Gandhi family Syed Gani Gurdeji sent a chunari for the UPA chairperson.

Union Ministers Mukul Vasnik, Dr CP Joshi, Mahadev Singh Khandela, Sachin Pilot and other PCC leaders were present in the procession to offer the chadar.

The urs started on June 3 and will conclude on June 9. It is an annual festival held at Ajmer, Rajasthan to commemorate the death anniversary of the sufi saint. It is celebrated in the seventh month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Thousands of pilgrims visit from India and abroad.