"KANTIT" Where Sanctity of Ajmer Shareef is Maintained : A Unique Example Of National Integration

Annual segregation (Urs) of Kantit Shareef has been celebrated here at the Mazaar (tomb) of Khwaja Ismile Chistee, the nephew of Khwaja Moinuddin Chistee of Ajmer.
Situated about 6 km. from historical city Mirzapur and just 2 furlong from Vindhyachal Dhaam in Kantit village of Mirzapur district. The Dargaah of Kantit Shareef attracts more than 5 lakh pilgrims from different parts of the country. Surprisingly, enough number of Hindu pilgrims is also remarkable. It is common belief that those, who cannot pay regards to Ajmer Shareef due to long distance, gather here and get the same religious satisfaction as if they are visiting the Mazaar of Khwaja Moinuddin Sahib of Ajmer. Once the wish of devotees is fulfilled, they offer 'chaader' (bedsheet like covering) on the mazaar. They also distribute 'halwa', 'zarda', and 'sheernee' among poor and disables.
This place is now furring very important and every year the number of devotees is increasing. The most striking feature of this centre of Hindu-Muslim unity is that the first chaader (sheet) is bestowed at the dargaah by not a Muslim but by a Hindu, who belongs to Kasera family of Mirzapur city. Only then the Urs of Dargaah takes the final inauguration of annual segregation. This tradition of beginning of urs by a Hindu has been going since times past from the time of Jawahar Kasera, the ancestor of present line of Kasera.
The popularity of this is more because it is situated at a very convenient place, which is also very popular as the famous temple of Vindhyavasini is not far away from the sacred mazaar of Khwaja Ismile Chistee. Vindhyachal is situated on the main railway line connecting Calcutta and Delhi.
The urs continues for 4 to 7 days as per decides by Urs Committee.
Historical investigations tell that Khwaja Sahib became popular among masses when he succeeded to control arbitrary natured kings Daanav Rai and Dhama Rai, who belonged to Gaharwar Rajpoot sect of Hindu religion. They were established as very strong but cruel kings. Some of their polices were fatal for public good. At this juncture Khwaja Sahib miraculously impressed the two kings so much that their behaviour changed and they started the policy of public good.
Khwaja Ismile Chistee Sahib selected the village of Kantit for his lodging because it had beautiful natural scenery at that time. The sacred river Ganga flows just near the dargaah. The surrounding Vindhya Mountain increases the scenic beauty of the place.
During his lifetime, Khwaja Sahib was well known for his chamatkaars. After his death, he is still known by his name. A very good atmosphere is witnessed as Hindus and Muslims bow their heads together at the mazaar.
To the south of this dargaah, the Vindhya Mountain runs from east to west. Ganga River is situated to the north side. To the east flow river Punyajala and to the west, the sacred temple of Vindhyachal is situated. It is a firm belief that the devotees get blessed with the fulfilment of their muraads (wish) if they visit this sacred place.
This place has proved ominous for our national leaders like Late Mrs. Indira Gandhi, our Ex Prime Minister; Mrs. Sonia Gandhai; Late Mr. Rajeev Kumar Silus, Mr. Arun Kuamr Dubey and many other leaders. Almost the whole years devotees visit this mazaar though at the time of urs the number increases many folds. Mrs. Sonia Ghandhi once again visited this place in the year 2004 for rejoin of power into the hands of Congress.
The district administration maintains complete vigil on this dargaah. But during the time of urs mela, six to seven days, security is marvellous. Besides security, other facilities like drinking water, lighting arrangements, temporary hospital, and primary health centres, etc. are made for the convenience of devotees.
For proper arrangements of the mazaar, a Tauseef Intejamia Committee was formed by Ex MLA, Mr. Azhar Imam. The Committee attempts proved fertile and government help is now availed to the Urs Committee. A good amount is provided by administration. The Municipal Board also gives full facilities to the pilgrims.
This year, the Urs began from 18th August. DIG Javed Akhtar and SP Mr. Pramod Kumar had instructed the police department to make full security arrangements during the Mela.
This is a historical year when two religious Melas (fairs) of two different sects are going to be organized simultaneously. This will inspire the common public to live unitedly developing religious harmony between the Hindus and the Muslims. We expend a lot of money in the name of the security of the country. But if a least amount is spent on such combined segregation of different sections of the country, the result would be miraculous. The ill will for other sections of society will give over to good will for the whole humanity. The example of Kantit Shareef may be cited to the extreme religious leaders, who create unholy atmosphere among the public by misguiding them in the name of religion.