Ahmedabad the walled city which earned the honours of Unesco World Heritage City – boasts of three ‘heritage lamps’ that are burning bright for centuries keeping the flame of faith and hope alive in the hearts of its people.
The oldest and most revered ‘akhand jyot’ (uninterrupted flame) is at Teen Darwaja in Bhadra area of the city whose flame has not extinguished come floods, riots, or lockdowns. It is believed to be as old as the 600-year old city and is closely linked to the city’s founding fable.
As the lore goes, a guard saw a woman leaving the city in the dark of the night. The guard asked the woman who she was. When she identified herself as Goddess Lakshmi, the alert guard requested her to stay put till he gets permission from the Sultan – city’s founder Sultan Ahmad Shah. Knowing in his heart that Goddess Lakshmi should never lever the city, the guard urged the Sultan to behead him so that he never returns to his post thereby preventing the Goddess from leaving Ahmedabad.
Today, the flame reminds the citizens of this lore which is considered an important reason for the city’s prosperity for six centuries now. Zeenat Bibi, a local resident, along with her son Yunus Mirza keeps the flame alive by pouring ghee regularly to the lamp as many citizens donate for the good purpose.
Two other flames, deemed to be burning for centuries, are located in two Vaishnavite havelis in Kalupur and Asarva areas of the city. Both are revered as ‘Dipakji’ due to religious and cultural significance. While the Kalupur’s flame is believed to be about two centuries old, the one at Asarva is believed to be five centuries old.
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