New York: In a remarkable convergence of faith and fate, Haji Syed Salman Chishty, the 26th-generation Gaddi Nashin of the revered Dargah of Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chishty in Ajmer Sharif, arrived at Bungalow — celebrity Chef Vikas Khanna’s acclaimed New York restaurant — on the very day it completed 786 days since opening.
In Islamic spiritual tradition, the number 786 symbolizes Bismillah ir-Rahman ir-Rahim (“In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful”). What made the moment extraordinary was that neither Haji Chishty nor Chef Vikas Khanna had planned the alignment.
According to the organisers, Chef Vikas Khanna had called his “Sufi Musafir brother” Salman Chishty at 3 a.m., requesting prayers and a sacred chadar for Bungalow’s 786th day celebrations, only to discover that Chishty was already travelling to New York — unaware of the milestone.
Haji Syed Salman Chishty arrived carrying a blessed 786 chadar from the Dargah of Ajmer Sharif along with blessings from the Dargah of Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya in Delhi. The sacred cloth was placed at Bungalow’s entrance as a symbol of prayer and spiritual grace for every guest entering the restaurant.
Guests were also offered heart-shaped dates blessed at the Dargah Sharif, symbolising love, peace and spiritual connection.
The gathering was attended by entrepreneur Jimmy Rizvi, author and investment banker Yakub Mathew, peace advocate Jonathan Granoff, and celebrated interior designer Shaila Rizvi.
Speaking on the occasion, Haji Syed Salman Chishty said, “In spiritual traditions, we do not believe in coincidences, we believe in divine purpose. The number 786 confirmed what the soul already knew — Bungalow is blessed.”
Chef Vikas Khanna described the moment as “beyond planning,” adding that Bungalow was envisioned not merely as a restaurant, but as “a space where faith, love, hospitality and humanity come together.”
Over the years, Bungalow has emerged as a cultural and spiritual celebration of India in the heart of New York, blending food with traditions of seva, langar and soulful hospitality.
