Sailani Baba's Dargah: An Iconoclastic Beacon of Communal Harmony and Religious Tolerance

By Sahil Razvi, New Age Islam 16 September 2024 Sailani Baba's Dargah Exemplifies India's Religious Harmony, Where Hindus and Muslims Celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi and Other Festivals Together. Established by Shankar Baba, The Site Fosters Unity and Mutual Respect, Embodying The Spiritual Legacy of Sailani Baba and His Teachings of Peace, Tolerance, And Brotherhood. Main Points: 1. Sailani Baba’s Dargah in Maharashtra fosters religious unity, where Hindus and Muslims celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi together. 2. This tradition of communal harmony was initiated by Shankar Baba Pothikar, a disciple of Sailani Baba. 3. Sailani Baba, born in Delhi in 1871, embraced Sufism and spread messages of peace and devotion. 4. The Dargah celebrates both Islamic and Hindu festivals, exemplifying tolerance and mutual respect. 5. The site is maintained jointly by Hindus and Muslims, symbolizing India's pluralistic spirit. ------ Sailani Baba's Dargah ----- Just seven km away from Sambhajinagar city, an oasis of calm Dargah, situated in Sailani Nagar, becomes a host to one-of-its-kind tradition every year. This unusual practice was initiated by Sadguru Shankar Baba Pothikar, a very ardent disciple of Sailani Baba. The main Dargah of Hazrat Shah Abdur Rahman Shah Sailani, commonly known as Sailani Baba, is situated in Buldhana district of Maharashtra and is spiritually very significant. Dargahs dot the national landscape, where people from different religions get together to celebrate festivities convivially. The most striking example is perhaps the Dargah of Sailani Baba, where Hindus and Muslims together celebrated Ganesh Chaturthi over the years. It has become part of living memory that forms part of the religious tolerance and social cohesion so essential to Indian pluralism. Sailani Baba: A Brief Introduction Abdur Rahman Shah Sailani was more popularly known as Sailani Baba, born in 1871 in Delhi, to a fairly well-off family. His father was Kale Khan, and he was a businessman by profession. He was born after many years of a childless marriage of his parents, which his family believed was granted through the prayers of a reverend Sufi saint. Such was the zeal of youth for wrestling that from Delhi, he went to the Deccan, where he trained under the great Noor Miyan in Balapur. The spiritual streak soon started in Hyderabad with the great Sufi saint Khairuddin Makhdoom Mujarrad, who took him under his wings. It is here that Sailani Baba was greatly influenced by the teachings of Makhdoom Mujarrad and turned to Sufism, following a path full of spiritual devotion. Under the mentorship of Khairuddin Mujarrad, deeper into the wisdom of Sufi traditions he was acculturated and gained reverence as a spiritual head. Years were spent in Nanded replete with Sufi rites and spreading the message of peace and piety. The Tradition of Religious Tolerance The Ganesh Utsav in Dargah Sailani Baba began some 30 years ago. This is a unique practice and a strong sign of communal harmony and religious tolerance. A mausoleum was built in the Dargah premises after Shankar Baba's death, who introduced this Ganesh festival in the Dargah. After Shankar Baba's wife died, she was also buried with him in the same place, strengthening the landmark place of spiritual communalism. During the Ganesh Utsav, a statue of Lord Ganesha is kept at the Dargah, where people of every faith come to join in the celebrations. The idols are kept together, and both the Aarti of Ganesh and Namaz are solemnly carried out at the same place, portraying in a nutshell the teaching of love, unity, and respect for every religion. This harmony of coexistence with diverse religious practices speaks volumes about the heart of Sailani Baba's teachings: peace, tolerance, and brotherhood. Respect for All Faiths Apart from Dargah, there are temples of Lord Hanuman and Lord Mahadev within its premises. Every Thursday, Aarti is performed for Lord Ganesh, Lord Dattatreya, Lord Mahadev, and Sailani Baba, attracting all classes of people. Kalika Mata and Tulja Bhavani Mata festivals are celebrated with equal enthusiasm along with Ganesh Utsav, drawing all faiths to this holy space. Pallavi Pothikar, daughter-in-law of Shankar Baba, says that the dargah has turned into a confluence of the followers of different religions. The joint celebration of festivals not only brings spiritual advancement among the followers but is also sending across a strong message of social cohesion and brotherhood. Anwar Pathan, a frequent visitor, has the following comment to make: 'Visiting here brings immense spiritual fulfillment. The coexistence of Baba's mausoleum with Lord Ganesha's idol is a great example of religious tolerance and respect for all faiths.' Unity Model The Dargah of Sailani Baba is an epitome that upholds the pluralistic spirit of India, and religious harmony with due respect is the hallmark there. The spirit of Sailani Baba and the tradition initiated by Shankar Baba continue to inspire people from all communities to come together in celebration and peace. The Dargah is jointly looked after by both Hindus and Muslims. Thus, it signifies a deeper sense of unity beyond religious frontiers. In a time when social divisions are exploited for petty reasons all the time, the story of Sailani Baba's Dargah and Shankar Baba-and the values they stood for-offers a serious lesson in the strength that comes from religious tolerance and harmony. The tradition of unity at Sailani Baba's Dargah offers a serious lesson to those who fight in the name of religion and cause division in society on how much more can be achieved through mutual respect and understanding. ------ Sahil Razvi is an author and research scholar specialising in Sufism and history. He is an alumnus of Jamia Millia Islamia. URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islamic-personalities/sailani-baba-dargah-communal-harmony-religious-tolerance/d/133206 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism