Badi Degh — The Royal Cauldron of Generosity at Ajmer Sharif
Feeding Thousands, Sharing Divine Blessings
The Badi Degh at Ajmer Sharif Dargah is a monumental symbol of devotion, community service, and spiritual gratitude. This grand cauldron prepares saffron-infused sweet rice ( Kesaria Bhat ) for thousands of pilgrims, embodying the Chishti ethos of service, humility, and inclusivity .
Historical Legacy
Gifted by Emperor Akbar in 1568 , the Badi Degh is crafted from a rare seven-metal alloy, with one component sourced from Colombo, Sri Lanka. Its ingenious design ensures that the rim remains cool even under intense fire.
With a capacity of approximately 4,800 kg of sweet rice , it can serve 15,000–35,000 devotees in a single preparation.
The Badi Degh was originally installed as a gesture of gratitude by Emperor Akbar upon fulfillment of a spiritual vow ( Mannat ), and it continues to connect devotees to centuries of history and devotion.
Ingredients & Cooking Tradition
The Badi Degh cooks purely vegetarian offerings of rice, ghee, sugar, saffron, nuts, and dry fruits.
Cooking is a community-centered process , often beginning at night, with distribution occurring after Fajr or at designated times.
Volunteers assist in cooking, serving, and managing hygiene and crowd logistics, making it a shared act of devotion.
Spiritual Significance
Preparing and distributing the Badi Degh is a profound act of gratitude and spiritual service in the name of Khwaja Moinuddin Hasan Chishti (R.A.)
The food is shared as Tabarruk — blessed sustenance — with devotees of all faiths, reflecting unity, equality, and generosity .
The tradition is especially significant during Urs (the death anniversary of Khwaja Gharib Nawaz) and major religious festivals.
Under the guidance of Syed Hammad ul Hasan , every Badi Degh offering is supervised to ensure authenticity, spiritual sincerity, and proper adherence to tradition .
Capacity & Contribution
Feature
Details
Capacity
~4,800 kg of Kesaria Bhat
People Served
~15,000–35,000
Typical Donation
₹225,000 – ₹525,000 (covers ingredients, preparation, and distribution)
How to Sponsor a Badi Degh
Devotees wishing to sponsor a Badi Degh to fulfill a vow, express gratitude, or support community service can now do so directly through Syed Hammad ul Hasan or via the Mashrabe Chisht charitable trust .
Booking & Arrangements: Your offering can be scheduled in coordination with Syed Hammad ul Hasan or the trust team, ensuring proper preparation, spiritual guidance, and distribution.
Purpose: This ensures that the centuries-old tradition of generosity and devotion at Ajmer Sharif continues, blessing thousands of pilgrims.
“Through your offering, guided by Syed Hammad ul Hasan, you participate in a timeless tradition of spiritual service and communal harmony at Ajmer Sharif.”