Mohammad Rafiq (left) is the only bhishti to service in the areas around Delhi’s Jama Masjid. The mashq (goat skin sacks used to carry water) used by bhishtis earlier now mostly hang unused on the walls.
The well inside Hare Bhare Shah Dargh, adjacent to the Jama Masjid, is Rafiq’s only source of water. The dargah is only washed with water brought in by the bhishtis, who get Rs 6.000 per month for the service. The well is said to have been there for nearly 350 years and has never gone dry. Some two decodes ago, bhishtis would queue here to draw water, says Rafiq, but not anymore. Even till 2019, there were four-five bhishtis who worked in the area but the pandemic has completely stopped the demand for water by them.
The well inside Hare Bhare Shah Dargh, adjacent to the Jama Masjid, is Rafiq’s only source of water. The dargah is only washed with water brought in by the bhishtis, who get Rs 6.000 per month for the service. The well is said to have been there for nearly 350 years and has never gone dry. Some two decodes ago, bhishtis would queue here to draw water, says Rafiq, but not anymore. Even till 2019, there were four-five bhishtis who worked in the area but the pandemic has completely stopped the demand for water by them.
The well inside Hare Bhare Shah Dargh, adjacent to the Jama Masjid, is Rafiq’s only source of water. The dargah is only washed with water brought in by the bhishtis, who get Rs 6.000 per month for the service. The well is said to have been there for nearly 350 years and has never gone dry. Some two decodes ago, bhishtis would queue here to draw water, says Rafiq, but not anymore. Even till 2019, there were four-five bhishtis who worked in the area but the pandemic has completely stopped the demand for water by them.
The well inside Hare Bhare Shah Dargh, adjacent to the Jama Masjid, is Rafiq’s only source of water. The dargah is only washed with water brought in by the bhishtis, who get Rs 6.000 per month for the service. The well is said to have been there for nearly 350 years and has never gone dry. Some two decodes ago, bhishtis would queue here to draw water, says Rafiq, but not anymore. Even till 2019, there were four-five bhishtis who worked in the area but the pandemic has completely stopped the demand for water by them.
Mohammad Rafiq is the only one works as a bhishti around Jama Masjid. He lives close to the Hare Bhare Shah Dargah adjacent to the mosque and earn Rs 200-250 per day. “ Sometime the daily profit is just Rs100. That is just not enough to survive. I do it to keep the tradition alive, but do not know how long it will last,” he says. The demand of water is now extremely limited and Rafiq needs to work just couple of hours to finish the job. A few decodes ago, bhishtis were called to spray water on the ground during outdoor events, such as exhibitions, but that practice has also declined.
Mohammad Rafiq is the only one works as a bhishti around Jama Masjid. He lives close to the Hare Bhare Shah Dargah adjacent to the mosque and earn Rs 200-250 per day. “ Sometime the daily profit is just Rs100. That is just not enough to survive. I do it to keep the tradition alive, but do not know how long it will last,” he says. The demand of water is now extremely limited and Rafiq needs to work just couple of hours to finish the job. A few decodes ago, bhishtis were called to spray water on the ground during outdoor events, such as exhibitions, but that practice has also declined.
Mohammad Rafiq is the only one works as a bhishti around Jama Masjid. He lives close to the Hare Bhare Shah Dargah adjacent to the mosque and earn Rs 200-250 per day. “ Sometime the daily profit is just Rs100. That is just not enough to survive. I do it to keep the tradition alive, but do not know how long it will last,” he says. The demand of water is now extremely limited and Rafiq needs to work just couple of hours to finish the job. A few decodes ago, bhishtis were called to spray water on the ground during outdoor events, such as exhibitions, but that practice has also declined.
Mohammad Rafiq is the only one works as a bhishti around Jama Masjid. He lives close to the Hare Bhare Shah Dargah adjacent to the mosque and earn Rs 200-250 per day. “ Sometime the daily profit is just Rs100. That is just not enough to survive. I do it to keep the tradition alive, but do not know how long it will last,” he says. The demand of water is now extremely limited and Rafiq needs to work just couple of hours to finish the job. A few decodes ago, bhishtis were called to spray water on the ground during outdoor events, such as exhibitions, but that practice has also declined.