Last Updated:March 02, 2026, 12:09 IST Khamenei had inaugurated the Imam Khomeini Hospital in this village. For the people, he wasn’t just a political figure but a “Religious Guru” who had walked and blessed their soil. “He is our spiritual guide and a beacon of light for our community,” says Shafeeq Abidi, a local resident. (File image: AFP) As the summer heat begins to settle over the dry plains of Chikkaballapur, an unusual silence has descended upon the village of Alipur. Located just 70 kilometers from the bustling tech hubs of Bengaluru, this small hamlet of roughly 25,000 people has undergone a transformation. Shops are shuttered, the local schools are empty, and the vibrant chatter of the marketplace has been replaced by the low, rhythmic hum of prayers echoing from the local mosques. The village is in deep mourning following reports concerning the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Mini Iran in Karnataka For the residents of Alipur often referred to as “Mini Iran” the news is not just a headline from a distant …