By Hemant SharmaMany people in India don’t know the difference between Dargahs and Majids, and if you’re one of those people, just know that a Masjid is a place of worship for Muslims, but a Dargah is more like a shrine, you know, built over a grave of some popular and important religious or figure. That’s out of the way, you should know that there are actually many Dargahs in India, but out of those Dargahs, there are a few that are visited by hundreds and thousands of people every year, and today, we’ll be talking about just that. Yes, this list is all about the top 10 most famous Dargahs in India so far, so, let’s just get to the list right away. Here we go then.
1. Ajmer Sharif Dargah, Rajasthan
It shouldn’t even be a debate at this point, yes, Ajmer Sharif is one of the most visited shrines in India located in Ajmer, Rajasthan, no two ways about that. For those who don’t know about this place yet, well, this is the shrine of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, who was a Sufi saint and was known to spread love, you know? And yes, constructed in the 13 century, it now sees millions of visitor footfalls from all over the world. The dargah is a shining white marble structure built by the Mughal emperor Akbar and houses many mosques of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan.
2. Haji Ali Dargah, Mumbai
And then, no doubt, Haji Ali Dargah is one of Mumbai’s most iconic landmarks. Like, its construction is unique as it’s built on a small island in the Arabian Sea, so yes, that’s pretty unique. Moreover, this island is connected to the city by a narrow causeway, if you have visited this shrine, you’ll know that already. As for a little bit of history here, you see, this religious structure was built in the year 1431 for a rich man Pir Haji Ali Shah Bukhari, who gave all his riches to become a saint. When the tide is high, the path to the dargah is completely submerged in water, making it look like it’s a floating shrine!
3. Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah, Delhi
And next on the list, well, in the heart of Delhi lies the dargah of the famous Sufi saint Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya, and this one surely is another special one, so no wonder why it is so famous too. Like, right here in India, this dargah is among the busiest and most loved after the 14th century, and why exactly? Well, here, people visit this dargah to pay respects to the tomb of Amir Khusrau, a famous poet and musician. It is said that if you have a wish, tying a thread around the marble screens will help you.
4. Hazratbal Dargah, Srinagar
Alright, we’ll put it straight out there, you see, you won’t find a more beautiful dargah in India than this one in Srinagar, next to Dal Lake. Is anything else special? Oh, well, it has the hair strand of the prophet Muhammad on display for people on special occasions. And then, you see, here, the larger dome and taller minarets are manufactured and the complex building is largely constructed of white marble. This dargah has been attracting a lot of people. On top of that, you see, it is surrounded by beautiful mountains and a peaceful-looking lake.
5. Pir Baba Dargah, Jammu
The Pir Baba Dargah in Jammu is another Dargah dedicated to Pir Budhan Ali Shah who was a Sufi saint, and as for a little bit of history here once again, you see, he lived for more than 500 years and survived on milk-only! All communities come to this dargah, making it a peaceful shrine, and one of the best ones out there. The Dargah is crowded on Thursdays with devotees who come here to offer prayers.
6. Piran Kaliyar Sharif, Uttarakhand
And then, well, this dargah located near Roorkee in Uttarakhand, is dedicated to the Sufi saint Alauddin Ali Ahmed Sabir Kalyari, you know, the one famous for doing miracles. For those who don’t know anything about this one yet, well, Mughal king Ibrahim Lodhi built it, and for centuries, it has been a place of pilgrimage for Hindus and Muslims alike.
7. Mazar-e-Najmi, Ujjain
And then, well, Ujjain’s Mazar-e-Najmi is a super famous one as well, you know, by the Dawoodi Bohra community. If you have no idea about this one, well, just know that it is the grave of Syedna Najmuddin, a Syedna. Not just that though, in a way, the mosque is truly a treat to the eyes. You know, like, surrounded by gardens, it is made of white marble. A place to get guidance and peace, we’ll say that for sure.
8. Dargah-e-Hakimi, Burhanpur
Next on the list, there is another one super important for the Dawoodi Bohra community, it is another important dargah which is situated down there in Burhanpur, Madhya Pradesh. And what’s the history of this one? Well, for now, just know that this dargah is dedicated to Syedi Abdul Qadir Hakimuddin, who was a wise saint. He is a saint who was known for his teachings, well, mainly that’s the case.
9. Manakpur Sharif, Punjab
Next on the list, well, Manakpur Sharif down there in Punjab is a famous Sufi shrine, and those who have visited this sacred place, they will know that Baba Lakhdata was a saint famous for his teachings of love and unity. Right? It is not just Muslims though, you see, people of all faiths come here as the shrine is believed to have healing powers. And as for the looks of it all, the shrine is architecturally distinctive as it has a mix of traditional and modern styles.
10. Rauza Sharif, Fatehgarh Sahib
Alright, so last on the list, we’d surely talk about the Rauza Sharif in Fatehgarh Sahib, Punjab, which for those who don’t know, is the resting place of Sheikh Ahmad Sirhindi (also known as Ahmad Sirhindi), a Mughal scholar. Again, the dargah has a very simple yet beautiful design which includes a mosque and a huge courtyard that organizes prayers and religious discussions.
Conclusion
That’s all for today! See, if you always wanted to know which are the most important and most famous Dargahs in India, well, now you have a list in your hand just on that topic. So, if you’re planning on visiting these Dargahs, well, you’re pretty much good to go.