Dargah of Bu Ali Shah Qalandar is one of the important religious spots in Panipat, Haryana. It is located in the main city centre. The tomb of this 13th century AD Sufi Saint attracts devotees from all walks of life - Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Christians. The devotees visit the tomb and offer prayers each Thursday and during the annual Urs Mela.
Bu Ali Shah Qalandar
His real name was Shaykh Sharfuddin but he is famous by the title Bu Ali Shah. His father, Shaykh Fakhar Uddin was a great scholar and saint of his time. Bu Ali Shah Qalandar was born in the 1209 AD. After completing his studies at an early age, he taught near the Qutub Minar in Delhi for 20 years. He published a collection of Persian poetry by the name of "Diwan Hazrat Sharafuddeen Bu Ali Qalandar". The collection was later translated by Khawaja Shahudin in Punjabi. It is considered a great Sufi work in Persian language.
This revered Sufi Saint lived for nearly 112 years. He was deeply respected by both the Hindus and the Muslims. He had deep spiritual and miraculous powers. The then Sultan of Delhi, Alauddin Khilji used to visit the revered Sufi Saint and take his blessings.
Architecture of Dargah of Bu Ali Shah Qalandar
The Dargah symbolizes the affluent architectural skills of the historic period.
The grave of Bu Ali Shah Qalandar is made of marble and decorated with beautiful sculptures. The left wall of the tomb has a qasida embossed and painted in blue and gold, written by Zahuri Neishabouri who visited India during the reign of Akbar. The Dargah comprises of a beautiful tank. There is Mahabat Khan`s tomb in red sandstone adjacent to the tomb of Bu Ali Shah. The tombs of Hakim Mukaram Khan and the Urdu poet Maulana Altaf Hussain Hali are also located within the enclosure.
Another attraction of Dargah of Bu Ali Shah Qalandar is the Urs Mubarak. This is the most celebrated occasion and it beckons pilgrims from different parts of the country. On every Thursday, the Dargah has a `langar`. People of all religious culture pay obeisance to this honorable Saint.
