Hyderabad: A dargah where no one stays at night

Hyderabad: A symbol of communal amity, 720-year-old Dargah of Hazarat Jahangir Peeran and Hazarat Burhanuddin in Inmulnarva village of Kothur Mandal in Ranga Reddy district is famous and has earned a unique place in the hearts of all sections of the people.  Both the saints had come to this place all the way from Baghdad, the capital of Iraq, to preach Islam and spread the message of love during their lifetime and breathed their last here. Their graves exist even today.

 

One of the most visited dargahs, by Hyderabadis and devotees from all over the India and countries like Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and many others, it has become one of the busiest pilgrimage centres as people believe their wishes will be fulfilled here! Located 45 km from Hyderabad, off the Hyderabad-Bangalore Highway, it is one dargah which Hindus too visit in large numbers and offer prayers. There are various stories as to why the dargah is deserted at nights.  It is said Hazrat Jahangir Peeran does not like to be disturbed by people at night and wants to live in peace. 

 

Another story goes that tigers visit the dargah at night and sweep the floors with their paws! “Apart from tradition, ages ago tigers used to prowl in the region and hence none dared to stay there after dusk. This trend continues even today even though tigers have vanished. The place is deserted after sunset. None has attempted to stay at night,” says Sultan Mohiuddin, Law Officer, Telangana State Wakf Board which manages the dargah. He adds, “Even the staff has to leave the dargah by 9 pm except during the annual Urs. Earlier, the dargah used to be deserted even before sunset. Now it opens around 5 am and closes by 7.30 pm for devotees after the Magrib (Prayer), Fateha and Salam rituals.”

 

People who come to this dargah have immense faith in the two saints and believe their wishes will be fulfilled. Many talk about miracles.  The annual Urs of the dargah, held on the first Thursday of “Til Sankranti” in January, attracts thousands of people from all parts of the state and country. From a small dargah and few people living around it, it has grown over the years. The tomb was constructed in 1975.  The total area of the dargah was 2 acres and the Wakf Board purchased an additional 25 acres. The annual income has gone up to Rs 1 crore.

The Telangana Wakf Board Chairman and MLC, Mohd Saleem, told this newspaper that as per the desire of the Chief Minister, the board was preparing a blue print for the development of the dargah and its surroundings at a cost of about Rs 60 crore.  Among the major proposals are reconstruction of the masjid to accommodate Musallies during Friday prayers and Urs, 20 new Niyaz khana sheds, sandal khana, 3 shopping complexes, guest houses for VIPs and other pilgrims, surveillance and security system, modern slaughter house, drinking water facilities, toilets, drainage system, CC roads, bus shelters, beautification of the dargah and its environs, parking areas, welcome arches at Kothur bypass and Shadnagar road and other amenities for pilgrims.

The Wakf Board has appointed 25 staff to oversee the maintenance of the dargah. The dargah turns into a mela on Sundays when people from far and near come to the place using all means of transport, offer chaddar, flowers, sheep and goats, cook food and return home.  “About 300 sheep and goats are slaughtered on Sundays and other important days by devotees. Hence we are planning to have a new slaughter house to ensure hygiene.” Mohd Saleem said. It is said the Mughal King Aurangzeb visited the dargah, popularly known as Jahangir Peeran dargah, and offered prayers.

CM K. Chandrasekhar Rao visited the dargah and offered chaddar on fulfillment of the separate Telangana state wish. He announced a grant of Rs 50 crore for development of the place which has been neglected over the years.  KCR had earlier visited the dargah when he was a Member of Parliament in the Lok Sabha from Mahabubnagar district and prayed for Telangana statehood.  Once a secluded place, the dargah and its environs now bustle with life.  There are all kinds of shops including sweetmeat, food joints, general stores, cloth shops and other commercial establishments, parking lots, play areas etc.