Archive · 7 Dec 2025
Mumbai Police's Annual Tradition at Dargahs
Every year, the Mumbai Police have a special tradition where they walk to two important places called dargahs with a green cloth as an offering.
This happens during a big festival called Urs.
The police have been doing this for a very long time, even before India became independent.
One of these places, Mahim Dargah, is very old and was a important spiritual place for sailors and traders.
The police used to help manage the big crowds that came to these places, and over time, this help turned into a tradition.
The police also visit another place called Dongri’s Rehman Shah Baba Dargah.
The police officers contribute money to buy special items for these places.
This tradition is more about the history and practical reasons rather than religion.
Mumbai Police annually visit Mahim Dargah and Dongri’s Rehman Shah Baba Dargah with offerings during Urs.
The tradition dates back to colonial times and is rooted in crowd management and maintaining goodwill.
Mahim Dargah is a 600-year-old shrine significant for sailors, traders, and the local community.
The police's involvement includes carrying a green chadar and participating in ceremonies.
The practice continues today, with senior officers and the police commissioner leading the rituals.
- Who
- Mumbai Police, Hazrat Makhdoom Ali Mahimi, Abdul Rehman Shah Baba
- What
- Annual tradition of police officers visiting dargahs with offerings
- When
- During the Urs festival
- Where
- Mahim Dargah and Dongri’s Rehman Shah Baba Dargah in Mumbai
- Why
- Historical and practical reasons, including crowd management and maintaining goodwill
- Dargah
- Mahim Dargah, Dongri’s Rehman Shah Baba
- Saint
- Hazrat Makhdoom Ali Mahimi, Abdul Rehman Shah Baba
- Police Involvement
- Carrying green chadar, participating in ceremonies
- Historical Significance
- 600-year-old shrine, spiritual anchor for sailors and traders
- Current Practice
- Police band, uniformed officers, senior officers carrying chadar
- Contribution
- Rs 25 per employee for ceremonial items
- British Era
- Police involvement documented in 1910 Gazetteer
- Modern Era
- Police Commissioner leads rituals at Rahman Shah Baba Dargah