In what was described as a remarkable spiritual coincidence, Haji Syed Salman Chishty, the 26th-generation Gaddi Nashin of the Dargah of Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chishty in Ajmer Sharif and Chairman of the Chishty Foundation, visited Bungalow, the New York restaurant founded by celebrity chef Vikas Khanna, on the restaurant’s 786th day since opening.
The number 786 holds special significance in Islamic and Sufi traditions, as it is associated with the phrase Bismillah ir-Rahman ir-Rahim (“In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful”).
According to those present, neither Chishty nor Khanna had planned the timing of the visit. Chef Vikas Khanna reportedly contacted Chishty in the early hours of the morning to request prayers and a ceremonial chadar for the occasion, only to learn that Chishty was already travelling to New York, unaware that the restaurant was marking its 786th day.
During the visit, Haji Syed Salman Chishty brought a blessed chadar inscribed with “786” from the Dargah of Ajmer Sharif, along with blessings from the Dargah of Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya in Delhi. The chadar was placed at the entrance of the restaurant as part of the gathering. Guests were also offered heart-shaped dates said to have been blessed at the Dargah Sharif.
Several prominent guests attended the event, including entrepreneur Jimmy Rizvi, author and investment banker Yakub Mathew, Peace Pledge executive Jonathan Granoff, and interior designer Shaila Rizvi.
Speaking on the occasion, Haji Syed Salman Chishty said the visit reflected a “divine appointment” rather than coincidence. He described Bungalow as “a living sacred space of hospitality” built on values of love and seva.
Chef Vikas Khanna said the restaurant was envisioned as more than a dining space, describing it as “a place where faith, timing, love, and the universe all arrive together at the same doorstep.”
Bungalow has emerged as a prominent Indian cultural and culinary destination in New York, blending Indian hospitality traditions with fine dining experiences.