Nāndi

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Nāndi is a Nizari Isma'ili ceremony where food offered to the Imām-e Zamān is sold at auction to people in the Jamatkhana, the Ismaili place of worship. The money from Nāndi goes to the Imām, collected by a volunteer Jama'at. Volunteers announce the items and Jama'at members bid by raising their hands. The food is prepared at home, brought to the Jamātkhāne, and the Mukhi blesses it, saying it was offered to the Imām and benefits the whole Jama'at; the food is called Mehmāni. If no physical Mehmāni is brought, a symbolic Mehmāni plate can be touched during the Du'a Karavi ceremony. Participating in Nāndi is voluntary; only Holy Du'a, Dasond, and following the Farmāns are mandatory. Nāndi is symbolic and supplementary. In Ismaili mosques, the food is shared and the money donated goes to charity.