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Khwaja Garib Nawaz Khadims
The caretakers of Ajmer Sharif Dargah, or the Khadims of Khwaja Garib Nawaz have kept the shrine to this day for over 850 years. Khadim refers to one who serves and it is a fitting title for their unswerving dedication and hard labour they give in the service of Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti (R.A.).
As a dutiful son serves his father so have the Khadims served and loved the holy shrine from generation to generation. The hereditary keepers, the guardians of traditions, customs and spiritual environment of the Ajmer Sharif Dargah in India.
Ever since Sufi Saint Khwaja Garib Nawaz himself, these Khadims of Ajmer Sharif Dargah have been the sacred custodians of the keys for Astana Sharif.
Their obligation and privilege to serve is not something they have taken for themselves, instead it has been passed down the line through decades much like the honour of being custodians of the Holy Kaaba was granted to one family by our beloved Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.).
When the Prophet took hold of the key of Kaaba, he gave it back to Hazrat Usman bin Talha saying that this key will always be in the possession of his family. In much the same manner, Ajmer Sharif Khadims too, for centuries have been blissfully dedicating their lives, looking after the shrine of Khwaja Garib Nawaz with utmost commitment.
To this day, the King of Saudi Arabia likes to refer to himself as “Khadim-ul-Haramain Sharifain,” the Servant of the Two Holy Mosques.
Likewise, the Khadims of Khwaja Garib Nawaz consider it a great privilege to be addressed as “Khak-Nasheen” – who sit in humility on the dust of the saint’s feet.
Their relationship with this Dargah is one, which remains both ancient and very personal, that has conquered all through time. They all have the love of Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti (R.A.) in their hearts, deeds and service.
Hazrat Khwaja Syed Fakhruddin Gardezi Chishti (R.A.) is considered as the head of all these khadim’s today. Along with being Khwaja Garib Nawaz’s cousin and spiritual brother, he was also a Khwaja Saheb's faithful disciple.
He travelled with the saint from Gardez to Ajmer and was an attendant in his service, through devoted affection. There are a number of documents, such as court papers and old manuscripts, indicating that the Khadims of Ajmer Sharif Dargah are his descendants. Their association with the religious site is not just old, but spiritually close and also historically sanctioned.
Hazrat Shaikh Fakhruddin Gardezi (R.A.) was a Wasi in the true sense of the word and passed his life day and night rendering services to his Pir-o-Murshid. The historical books mention that he was in the service of Khwaja Garib Nawaz day and night for fifty long years. He took his master’s bed during travels, and never abandoned him for so much as one hour. This dedication makes up the real definition of being a Khadim — to serve, love, believe in, and sacrifice. Khwaaja Garib Nawaz (R.A.) once gazetted with honor “Fakhruddin is my pride”, showing the deep love he had for his Khadim.
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And after Hazrat Fakhruddin’s death, his successors kept alive this divine service from generation to generation. The Khadims of Ajmer Sharif Dargah were appointed as the custodians and conductors of rituals, while keeping cleanliness around and help pilgrims with true spirit to look after neat n clean at Astana Sharif consisting sacred belongings. They are called the Syed Zadgan — the high born who have inherited the spiritual light of their forebears. “Service is not simply their duty, it’s a lifelong commitment that ties them with the Dargah and to Khwaja Garib Nawaz’s blessings,”
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In the history many of emperors, scholars and followers reached Khadims and obtain his faveours by Dua through Ajmer Sharif dargah India. One of the great Mughal emperors, such as Akbar, Jahangir and Shah Jahan, appreciated their services and dignities. Every ceremony within the Dargah– from the small daily routines and the grand annual Urs of Khwaja Garib Nawaz– is conducted under their supervision.” They make certain that every tradition is observed with respect and in the right manner, just as it has been for centuries.
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Within the laws and traditions of the shrine, 'Astana' is actually care by Khadims of Ajmer Sharif Dargah. They organize all sorts of spiritual and religious programs such as Mehfils, Qawwalies and give Niyaz’s and Langar to poor and needy people. The Anjuman Syed Zadgan fraternity supervises these facilities throughout the year, making sure that every traveller who comes to receive their blessings, should feel blessed and welcome. Their service has made the Dargah a mark of Peace, Love and Service to all humanity.
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Khadims are the medium for every religious ritual performed at the holy tomb — be it chadar, Badi Deg Langar flowers, attar or nazrana donation. They lead the pilgrims respectfully and humbly, holding their hands as they are offering. They are in charge of all the existing sacred materials (the ghilaf and tabarukaat) inside the Dargah. Though non profitable entity, these individuals would never think in such a term; reward they get after this service of love & blessing from Khwaja Garib Nawaz is no other thing but the blessing for what they were expecting by rendering their dedicating service.
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Urs of Hazrat Khwaja Syed Fakhruddin Gardezi (R.A.) is observed with religious fervour on 25th and 26th Rajab every year. There is hardly a country in the world that does not have people flocking on the alms -collection day to pay their homage to this great Khadim. He is buried in the Tosha Khana, next to the Begami Dalaan inside the sanctified precincts of the Dargah. The Khadims still defend and maintain the site as their heritage.
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“Khwaja Garib Nawaz Khadims Gaddi Nasheen have always been between the devotees and the saint. “They represent prayers, hopes and thanksgiving from people. They continue to propagate the message of love, peace and equality promoted by Khwaja Garib Nawaz during his lifetime. Their presence causes us to look beyond power and prestige to see that authentic service is not about privilege, but of humble service in the name of faith.
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The complete Khadim community of Ajmer Sharif they are continue to reside nearby the Dargah and still their all ancestors' houses exist. They continue to host visitors, provide them with guided tours and close their eyes in a show of solidarity to enable others to experience the divine tranquility that embraces the sacred land. Their work, they say is a form of worship — a connection to their beloved Khwaja Garib Nawaz. And their hearts, filled with that same spirit of dedication that Moosburg nurtured a millennium ago, centuries before the foundation stone for Cooper’s castle was laid down, still whisper today.
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Know Every pilgrim who comes to Ajmer Sharif Dargah India must also know that the Khadims are so greate that they are still the living link to saint. They are not merely caretakers of the shrine but trustees of a divine trust. They have dedicated to serve so that Khwaja Garib Nawaz's spiritual power is felt by every devotee who visit the dargah with love and faith. For official recommendations or contact, you can contact the Ajmer Sharif Dargah Khadim community at their official website or on call +91 85296 71277. Let the benevolence of Khwaja Garib Nawaz (R.A.) be on all those who visit his dargah with a clean soul and true heart.
