Mahim Fair kicks off with giant wheels, food corners and game stalls

The ten-day Mahim fair, which is kicked off by the police offering the first 'sandal' (offering of sandalwood paste) to the grave of a saint, began on Sunday.Held in the honour of Sufi saint Makhdoom Ali Mahimi (1372-1431), the Mahim fair sees thousands of people visiting his grave. Simultaneously, people enjoy in a mela at the dusty Mahim beach, which includes giant wheels, game and food stalls each year."The fair is in honour of a saint who was like a Qazi to the city. It is a more than 100-year-old tradition and recorded in the Gazette. Over half a million people come during this time. His resting place is over 600 years old and the fair is a mark of respect. The first opportunity to put sandal is given to the police," said Sohail Khandwani, managing trustee of the Pir Makhdoom Shah Fakhi Charitable Trust that looks after the Mahim Dargah and the fair.The reason behind the police offering the first sandal differs from person to person. While some say that the saint was very close to the police and often helped them catch criminals, others say that there was a sepoy who served him water when he breathed his last. Some say that there was a riot in the 1980s and the then police commissioner offered the first sandal as a call for communal harmony.At Mahim beach, a number of games stalls, giant wheels and food corners are put up. People also offer perfume and flowers at the saint's grave. Qawalis in are also held by the police and citizens. Residents, however, complain of noise pollution. "Residents should not be disturbed due to noise pollution," said Irfan Macchiwala, one of the residents of the area. "We tell people that as per Islam, music is not allowed during sandal. But as they are guests we have to accept it," said Khandwani.BOX: Noise pollution goes upSumaira Abdulali of the Awaaz Foundation said, "The noise pollution actually increased this year as compared to last year. It is unfortunate that the police which is supposed to lead the way in maintaining order actually has not been able to." While last year the decibel level recorded was 112.7 dB, this year it went up to 118 dB.