Jaipur: "Khwaja wants him to come" was how External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid on Saturday welcomed Pakistan Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf in Jaipur on way to Ajmer for his pilgrimage. Both the leaders shook hands and greeted each other warmly before going for lunch at the Rambagh Palace Hotel in Jaipur.
After lunch, Ashraf and his delegation will leave for Ajmer to offer prayers at the 13th century dargah of Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Hasan Chisti. It is generally a belief that one can undertake a pilgrimage to the dargah only after a divine 'call'. The visiting dignitary will be served predominantly Rajasthani fare during the lunch at the palace.
Rajasthani delicacies like 'dal bati churma', 'ker sangeri ki sabzi', 'papad ki sabzi', 'methi sabji' and 'lal maas' (red meat) will figure in the menu. 'Rasmalai' will be among the deserts that will be served to the Pakistani Prime Minister.
As per schedule, the Pakistani delegation in helicopters will land at Ghughara helipad near Ajmer at 3.30 pm and from there reach the Dargah covering a distance of 12.5 km. They will be greeted at the main gate of the Dargah by the representatives of Dargah committee and committee of Khadims. From there Ashraf will reach the main shrine after passing from Buland Darwaja and others.
Ashraf will be welcomed by beating of drums and a turban tying ceremony will take place as per tradition. After the ziyarat, the delegation will return in evening by helicopters to Jaipur airport and from there fly back to Pakistan in a special aircraft.
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