Lucknow : Shahjahan takes on the avatar of a Sufi saint for three days in a year. During the ‘salana urs’ (annual death anniversary) of the Mughal emperor, pilgrims pay homage to the pir in the Taj ‘taikhana’ (basement) housing the original graves of Shahjahan and Mumtaz Mahal.

The basement, which has been shut to the public for decades, opens for visitors on July 11 under the watchful eyes of the CISF and volunteers. On the first two days, entry is free after 2 pm. The third and final day sees daylong rituals at the Taj.

 

The highlight this year are two ‘chaddars’ being offered on the graves. One is 344-feet-long to symbolise the spirit of the 344^th year of his death and the other measures 450 feet.

 

First day begins with a ‘shahi gusi’ (royal bath) or cleansing of the Dargarh. The second day is termed’sandal’, when sandalwood powder is dusted on the graves followed by a generous spinkling of ‘attar’. And the final day begins early with ‘chaddarposhi’ or offering of ‘chaddar’ and ‘qawwali’ recital.