Sufi Circuit In Bihar

      During the medieval period, the spiritualistic aura enjoyed by Patliputra (Patna) attracted many Sufi saints who preached in a very humanistic way that made the region a hub of pilgrimage for the devotees of all religions.

Maner Sharif (MANER,PATNA)

It is a large village of historical antiquities, situated in the extreme north west of Danapur Sub-Divison, about 32 km west of Patna on Patna-Arrah Highway. In the early ages, Maner was a centere of learning and it is said that grammarian Panini, and also Bararuchi, lived and studied here. Maner contains two well-known Sufi tombs, that of Shah Daulat or Makhdum Daulat, kwon as Chhoti Dargah, and the other that of Sheikh Yahia Maneri or Makhdum Yahia,called the Bari Dargah. Makhdum Dulat died at Maner in 1608, and lbrahim khan, Governor of Bihar and one of the saint’s disciples completed the erection of his mausoleum in 1616. The building is exceptionally fine one, with walls containing carvings of great delicacy and high finish. A great dome crowns it, and the ceiling is covered with carved inscriptions from the Quran. Every detail of it is characteristic of the architecture of Jehangir’s times, and it is by far the finest monument of the Mughals in Eastern India. Inside the compound there is mosque also built by Ibrahim Khan in 1919, whiles a fine gateway bearing an older inscription corresponding to 1603-1, and affords access to the north. The tomb of YAHIA maneri Lies in a mosque walls and ghats, and pillared porticos jutting out into it, which is connected with the old bed of the River Sone by a tunnel 400-ft long.

Khanquah Mujibia(Phulwari Sharif, PATNA)

Situated nearly 7km from Patna Railway Station, Phulwari Sharif is an important Islamic pilgrimage center. It has been always a favourite abode of Sufi saints, especially Hazrat Pir Muzibullah Quadri in the 18^th Century. The Khankah Muzibia, founded by him at Phulwari Sharif is called the Bari Khankah. An old Madrasa here has been the most important centre for teaching of Islamic philosophy since its establishment.

Sacred hairs of the beard of Paigamber Hazrat Muhammad Saheb are preserved here in Banri Khankah that attracts throngs of his followers and a big mela is held every year There is also an archeologically important and worth seeing ancient Sangi Masjid (Mosque ) built of red stones at Phulwari Sharif. It was built by the Mughal Emperor Humyun.

Khanquah Emadia (Mangal Talab, Patna City, Patna)

One of the offsprings in the family of prominent Sufi Saint Hazrat Pir Muzibullah Quadri had founded another Khankah during 19^th century near a tank called Mangal Tablab that is situated in the Patna City Chowk area. It is called Khankah Emadia that houses a Madrasa. An Urs is held here annually when throngs of devotees assemble and pay their respect to their beloved Sufi Saint.

Dargah Sharif, Mithan Ghat (Patna City, Patna)

A beautiful double storied mosque was built by Mughal Prince Azim on the banks of Ganges at Mittan Ghat, Patna City area that was previously called Azimabad during the reign of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. This mosque was built for Mulla Mittan who was teacher of the Prince. It was the place from where the great Sufi Saint Hazrat Makhdum munnem used to preach his disciples during the 18^th Century. The ancient mosque still ezists and is popularly known as Dargah Sharif. Every year , after 5 days of “Eid”, an annual Urs Chiraga held here when devotees assemble at this Dargah Sharif in great numbers.

Hajipur Karbala (Vaishali)

It was constructed 175 years ago by Shah Alam which attracts a large crowd of Muslims throughout the years.

Hasanpura (Siwan)

Situated about 21 km south of Siwan on the bank of Dhanai River, it is believed that this village was founded by Makhdum Saiyed Hasan Chisti, a saint who came from Arabia to India and settled here. He also founded a Khankah (religious institution) here. The village contains remains of a large mosque and tomb of the Saint, which is visited by both Hindus and Muslims. The grave is a large open court to the west of the village. In front of it is a basalt image of Vishnu which has been treated ruthlessly. It is believed that an inauspicious fiend had turned it into stone by the holy Makdum and must not be raised or placed erect. It contains no inscription but its style shows it to belong to about the seventh century A.D.

Bibi Kamal Sahibs (Kako, Jehanabad)

The village is the headquarters of the block of the same name and is situated on the Jehanabad-Bihar Sharif, about 10 Km east of Jehanabad Railway station. According to a local legend, Ram Chandra’s stepmother, Rani kaikeyi of Ayodhya live here for some time and the village took its name after her. The village has also a tomb of Hazrat Bibi Kamal Sahiba, a great Muslim lady saint. It is said that this lady was the aunt of Hazrat Mukhdum Saheb of Bihar Sharif and possessed divine powers.

Baddi Dargah(Bihar Sharif, Nalanda)

This town is known as Bihar Sharif, owing to its many Muslim tombs that still retain traces of its importance as a Muslim pilgrimage centre. There is a hill called Pir Pahari, about one meter to the northwest of the town. At its summit is the dargah or mausoleum of the Saints Mallik Ibrahim Bayu, around which are ten smaller tombs. It is a brick structure surmounted by a dome and bears inscriptions showing that the saint died in 1353. Another great dargah is that of Mokhdum Shah Sharif-ud-din, also called Mukhdum-ul-Mulk, who died here in 1379. The inscription over the entrance shows that his tomb wass built in 1569. This tomb, which stands on the southern bank of the river, is held in great veneration by the local Mohammedans, who assemble here on the 5^th day of Sawan to celebrate the anniversary of his death. The Chhoti Dargah is the shrine of Badruddin Badr-I-Alam, a famous saint who died here in 1440.

Chhoti Dargah (Bihar Sharif, Nalanda)

Dargah of Makhdum Hazrat Sultan Ahmed Charampose, Bihar Sharif  (Nalanda). The biggest and the oldest building of Mohalla-Amber in the Bihar Sharif Town (Nalanda) is Tomb of Hazarat Mukhadum Sultan Saiyad Shag Ahmed Charampose Teg Barhana Rohmatulla Alaib. He was born in the year 1236 and passed away in 1335 (according to Islamic calendar 657-776 Hizri). He is regarded with high esteem among other Sufi saints and Auliahs Thousands and thousands of people participate in the Urs’ celebrated here in memory of the Saint every year.