Dargahs and Devotion: Preserving Bihar Sharif’s Sufi Heritage

By Syed Amjad Hussain, New Age Islam 31 May 2025 Bihar Sharif, nestled in Nalanda, stands as a vibrant symbol of Sufi heritage, where Dargahs, saints, and annual Urs festivals foster harmony, spiritual devotion, and interfaith unity across generations. Main Points: 1. Bihar Sharif is celebrated as a historic hub of Sufi mysticism in Eastern India. 2. Saints like Hazrat Makhdoom Shaykh Sharfuddin Ahmed Yahya Maneri and Hazrat Peer Badruddin enriched its spiritual legacy. 3. The annual Urs draws diverse communities together in peaceful celebration. 4. Its syncretic culture reflects deep-rooted communal harmony. 5. Heritage preservation is urgently needed to protect its sacred sites. ----- Shrine of Hazrat Makhdoom Shaykh Sharfuddin Ahmed Yahya Maneri at Badi Dargah, Bihar Sharif. ------ Introduction Located in the lap of historic Nalanda district, Bihar Sharif has always stood as a beacon of religious tolerance and syncretic cults. Affectionately known as the "City of Sufi Saints," the town, formerly the ancient capital of Muslim leaders of Bihar, is as renowned for its historical significance as it is for being an active seat of Sufi mysticism. The religious shrines that are sprinkled throughout its landscape are not mere reminders of the past; they are living traditions that have been influencing the moral and spiritual trajectory of thousands. A Spiritual Tapestry Woven Over Centuries The religious atmosphere of Bihar Sharif lies in its centuries-long connection with some of the most venerated Sufi saints of the Indian subcontinent. Among them, the most famous is Hazrat Makhdoom Shaykh Sharfuddin Ahmed Yahya Maneri. Commonly referred to as Makhdoom-e-Jahaan, he was a Firdausiyya Sufi order member and contributed immensely to Islamic thought in 14th-century Eastern India. His Dargah, or Badi Dargah as it is popularly known, is a centre of spirituality even today. His doctrines—reprinted in books such as Maktubat-e-Sadi—spread divine love, world brotherhood, and spiritual self-consciousness. His presence drew his disciples and followers from all over the country, and Bihar Sharif became a Sufi capital of Eastern India. Yet another legendary figure who played his part in the religious topography of Bihar Sharif in his entourage was Hazrat Peer Badruddin Badar-e-Alam Zaahidi. He was a migrant from Meerut (present Uttar Pradesh) who came to Bihar Sharif on the invitation of Hazrat Makhdoom Shaykh Sharfuddin Ahmed Yahya Maneri to reside there and carry on the mission of spiritual illumination. His tomb, the Chhoti Dargah, is just one kilometre from the Badi Dargah and is considered equally holy. Annual Urs: A Festival of Divine Love and Unity One of the most highly awaited religious festivals in Bihar Sharif is the annual Urs (death anniversary) of Hazrat Badruddin Badar-e-Alam Zaahidi, which takes place every year on 26th of January. Far from a ritualistic celebration, the Urs is a religious communion of communities—Muslims, Hindus, and followers of other faiths participate. Day starts with Fajr prayers, then morning recitations of the Qur'an Sharif at the sacred Kaghzi Mohalla. The mood is charged with spirituality, with Chadars and flower offerings being made at the saint's tomb. Prayers for peace, good health, and harmony in people realise the ultimate Sufi doctrine of Sulh-e-Kul (peace with all). The event is marked by the presence of religious leaders, politicians, and local administration, which is indicative of the importance of such shrines as not just spiritual centres but cultural and social pillars as well. The Urs of Hazrat Badruddin, in particular, is indicative of Bihar Sharif's timelessness in its commitment to the upholding of Sufi ethos. A Land Where Saints Walked Besides these two towering personalities, Bihar Sharif has been the abode of a galaxy of Sufi stalwarts. Hazrat Ibrahim Malik Baya, another famous saint from Ghazni, Afghanistan, also chose Bihar Sharif as his spiritual headquarters during the 14th century. A warrior turned mystic, he embodied the Sufi virtues of humility, sacrifice, and devotion. His mausoleum at the Peer Pahadi near the tomb of Hazrat Syed Ahmed Peer Pahadi is safeguarded by the Archaeological Survey of India, which indicates the importance of the monument in terms of both history and spirituality. The other spiritual leaders who contributed immensely towards the town's heritage are Hazrat Makhdoom Syed Ahmed Charamposh Tegh Barhana and Hazrat Syed Shah Khizr Haider bin Ahmed Jajneri alias Shah Baagh. Saints who did not only spread spiritual practices but also contributed immensely towards the growth of education, welfare of society, and friendship among different faiths. The Syncretic Soul of Bihar Sharif The most striking aspect of Bihar Sharif is the way it can be a melting pot of religious identities. The Sufi saints here have a hold that transcends sectarian loyalties. The saints' vocabulary of love and tolerance still resonates in the mohallas and dargahs of the town. During festivals like Urs or even Ramadan, you would find people from other religions participating in the rituals, offering food for communal meals, or even just lighting lamps on the shrines. This communal living is a reflection of the “Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb” that has long defined the Indo-Islamic cultural tradition. This syncretism of cultures is vital in a more polarised world. Bihar Sharif, in its Sufi tradition, offers a paradigm of peace-making and toleration, a reminder of India's pluralist past. A Heritage in Need of Saving Though it has a rich religious past, Bihar Sharif's heritage structures are facing urban encroachment, abandonment, and unawareness at each step. While a few of the popular Dargahs are safeguarded by the Archaeological Survey of India, others are not. Local residents, heritage activists, and Sufi faithful increasingly began calling for more robust conservation efforts. Education campaigns, Sufi book festival events, and interfaith conferences are being proposed to restore the cultural memory of the site. In addition, incorporation of Bihar Sharif shrines in the Sufi Circuit of Bihar can guarantee the raising of funds and awareness for their conservation. A city that used to guide the spiritual soul of an entire region cannot be allowed to diminish to oblivion. Conclusion In Bihar's heartland, where Nalanda's ancient universities used to share their wisdom with the world, Bihar Sharif is today a university of the heart. Its Dargahs are not just mausoleums—they are hubs of peace, love, and harmony. In a world too often torn apart by religious polarisation, the voice of Bihar Sharif's Sufi saints rings out louder than ever: love all, serve all, and seek the divine in every human. ---- Syed Amjad Hussain is an author and Independent research scholar on Sufism and Islam. He is the author of 'Bihar Aur Sufivad', a research book based on the history of Sufism in Bihar. URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islam-spiritualism/dargahs-devotion-bihar-sharif-sufi/d/135721 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