Sufi & Sikh Circuit


Sufism: Sufi is someone who practices Sufism. Sufism is one of the mystic paths of Islam, generally understood to not be a distinct sect of Islam. The typical early Sufi lived in a cell of a mosque and taught a small band of disciples. To enter the way of Sufism, the seeker begins by finding a teacher, as the connection to the teacher is considered necessary for the growth of the pupil.

Guru Gobind Singh: Guru Gobind Singh was born in Patna, Bihar in India and became the tenth Guru of Sikhism. Succeeding his father Guru Tegh Bahadur he became Guru at the age of nine. He was the leader of the Sikh faith a Philosopher, a Poet and a Warrior. His life and teachings have had a great influence on Sikh ideology as well as in their daily life. His establishment of the Khalsa is considered as one of the most important events in the History of Sikhism. He fought twenty defensive battles with the Mugals and their alliances, such as Rajas of Shivalik Hills. Guru Gobind Singh was the last human Sikh Guru and declared as the next permanent Sikh Guru in the holy scripture of Sikhism "Guru Granth Sahib".
Bihar Tourism offers a unique paradigm and tour ramification of Sikhism and Sufism India. It unfolds the special Sufi Destinations, Guru Gobind Singh & Sikhism sites of B having an important place in Sufism and reflecting Sikh Ideology.


Sufi Circuit:

Maner Sharif (Patna, Maner) : This place is one of Sufi Destinations and is situated in the extreme north west of Danapur Sub-division (about 32 kms west of Patna on Patna-Arrah Highway) and has historical significance. Maner was a centre of learning in the early ages and is said that grammarian Panini, and also Bararuchi, lived and studied here. This place has two well-known Mohammedan tombs 1) Shah Daulat or Makhdum Daulat, known as Chhoti Dargah, 2) Sheikh Yahia Maneri or Makhdum Yahia, called the Bari Dargah. Makhdum Daulat died at Maner in 1608. The building is extraordinarily fine one, with walls containing carvings of great delicacy and high finish. It is crowned with a great dome and the ceiling is covered with carved inscriptions from the Quran. Here one can find characteristic of the architecture of Jehangir's region, and it is by far the handpicked monument of the Mughals. Within the premises there is a mosque as well built by Ibrahim Khan in 1619, whiles a fine gateway bearing an older inscription corresponding to 1603-01, and affords access to the north. Yahia Maneri Tomb could be seen 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.

Khankah Mujibia (Phulwari Sharif, Patna) & Khankah Emadia (Mangal Talab, Patna City, Patna)

Dargah Sharif, Mithan Ghat (Patna City, Patna) : It is a lovely double storied mosque, was built by Mughal Prince Azim on the banks of Ganges at Mittan Ghat, Patna City area. During the reign of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb it was called Azimabad. This mosque was built for Mulla Mittan who was teacher of the Prince. From here great Sufi Saint Hazrat Makhdum Munnem used to preach his disciples during the 18th Century. The ancient mosque still exists and is popularly known as Dargah Sharif. Every year, after 5 days of "the Eid festival, an annual Urs Chiraga is held here when devotees assemble at this Dargah Sharif in great numbers.

Hajipur Karbala (Vaishali) : It attracts a large crowd of tourists and Muslims throughout the years and was constructed by Shah Alam 175 years ago.

Hasanpura (Siwan) : This place is situated around 21 kms South of Siwan on the bank of Dhanai river. As per the local belief, a saint who founded this village called Makhdum Saiyed Hasan Chisti came here 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.

Bibi Kamaal Sahiba (Kako, Jehanabad) : The village is is situated on the Jehanabad-Bihar Sharif road which is around10 kms East of Jehanabad railway station. As per the local legend, Ram Chandra's stepmother, Rani Kaikeyi of Ayodhya lived here for some time and the village took its name after her. The village took its name after her. The village has also a tomb of Hazrat Bibi Kamaal Sahiba, a great Muslim lady saint. It is said that this lady possessed divine powers and was the aunt of Hazrat Makhdum Saheb of Bihar Sharif.

Bari Dargah (Bihar Sharif, Nalanda) : Bihar Sharif owing to its many Muslim tombs that still retain traces of its former importance as a Muslim pilgrimage. This place is headquarters of Nalanda district. About 1 m to the northwest of the town there is a hill called Pir Pahari. At its summit is the dargah or mausoleum of the Saint Mallik Ibrahim Bayu, round which are tem 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 Makhdum-ul-Mulk, died here in 1379; the inscription over the entrance shows that his tomb was built in 1569. This tomb, which stands on the south bank of the river, is held in great veneration by the local Mohammedans, who assemble here on the 5th day of Sawan to celebrate the anniversary of his death. The Chhoti Dargah is the shrine of Badruddin Badr-I-Alam, 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 Makhdum Sultan Saiyad Shah 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 ranked to a very high order among other Sufi saints and Auliahs.