Mansooruddin Faridi/New Delhi 

Every winter, Mumbai witnesses a unique tradition of reverence by the Mumbai police at the 600-year-old shrine near Mahim here. Inspired by stories from their seniors, the policemen come to the shrine in huge numbers to present the sandalwood shavings and offer the salute (salaami) at the annual Urs of Hazrat Makhdoom Faqeeh Ali Mahaimi, also known as Aros al-Bilad.

The 10-day festival (December 8 to 17) resumed two years after the coronavirus pandemic-induced lockdown. What is famous about this 10-day festival is that the first offering of sandalwood shavings is made by the policeman.  

According to folklore, the shrine is known to have been very beneficial for men in uniform. For this reason, the festival begins with the sandalwood shavings presented at the mausoleum of the saint by the Mumbai Police. 

The shrine of Makhdoom Baba

In keeping with this tradition, the Mumbai police presented the first packet of sandalwood shavings at the shrine on Thursday. 

In Mumbai, Makhdoom Baba has come to be known as the Baba of the Police. He commands enormous reverence from the men in uniform. 

More than 500 sandal committees from Mumbai and surrounding areas offer sandalwood – for fragrance - and offerings to Astana Makhdoom. 

@DGPMaharashtra @Mumbaipolice@CPMumbaiPolice
Salami At Dargah Hazrat Makhdoom Shah Baba@MahimTrust @syk_8282 pic.twitter.com/Wv4qBzFBLj

— Mahim Dargah Trust®️ (@MahimTrust) December 8, 2022

A lot of meticulous planning by the Mumbai Police and Dargah Committees preceded the festival.  

Sohail Khandwani, the Managing Trustee of Maham Dargah, told Awaz-the Voice, that he is thankful to God that COVID restrictions were lifted and paved the way for the resumption of the festival. 

The objective of this festival is in Astana Makhdoom. Police offering is devotion - this is the festival of Makhdoom Faqeeh Ali Mahaimi, it is wrong to attribute it to Urs. 

There are different beliefs behind giving the police the first opportunity to present the chador. Some people say that Baba Makhdoom Shah was very close to the policemen and often helped them catch criminals. 

Some people say that a soldier gave Baba water during his last days. 

The Shrine of Maqdoom Baba

On the other hand, some people say that during the communal riots in Mumbai in 1980, the then commissioner of Mumbai Police prayed for communal harmony at the shrine. His prayer was answered as the riots ended within hours. 

The festival has swings for children and food stalls where visitors can enjoy delicious food to offer. Devotees offer flowers and perfumes to the tomb of the saint. Police officers and local citizens meet during Urs. 

Mahaimi's original name is Alauddin and he is also known as Ali.  

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Makhdoom Mahaimi's family is called Nayati or Nawait which is a corrupted form of Nawait, a tribe that once came from Madinah, Saudi Arabia, and settled in the Kokan region (Mumbai).