Gazi Miyan Fair is a Mohammedan festival that is celebrated in Varanasi at the Gazi Miyan Dargah, Bakariya Kund, on the 1st Sunday in Jeth. The festival is celebrated in honour of the nephew of the celebrated Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni. The festival is celebrated in an elaborate manner with much joy and happiness.
History of Gazi Miyan Fair
According to the history of Gazi Miyan Fair, the Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni had once sent his brother-in-law, Salar Sahu, on a mission into India. During the journey his wife, Satar-i-Mualla, gave birth to a son, in the city of Ajmer in A.D. 1002. The child was named as Salar Masaud. When the child was nineteen years old he was unfortunately killed in a battle with the Hindus. He was then buried in Baraitch, in Oudh, the place where the battle had been fought. As per the Mohammedan faith he was considered a martyr. After his death, he was known as spoken of as Sultan-us-Shuhada, i.e. chief of Martyrs and Sultan Gazi, i.e. chief of knights of religion. In the neighbourhood of Delhi, he is also known by the appellation of Pir-Alim, Saint Alim.
Festival of Gazi Miyan
Every year pilgrimages are taken to the tomb. In Varanasi thousands of persons belonging to various classes of native society, Hindus and Mohammedans of both sexes, visit the Dargah of Gazi Miyan. The word Miyan was added to the name of Gazi. It was done as a sign of respect. During the fair many singers, called dafalis, are invited and made to seat under hundreds of shades erected for the occasion. They together sing the glory of the martyr. They all sing in chorus in melodious voice. Their voice produces a singular effect. While singing few of the female singers spread out their hair and turn their heads on various sides in a violent manner. They do so to show that they are under the influence of some supernatural power. The words they use while singing songs are believed to be an oracular message. This is an important festival of Varanasi. The festival concludes with the flying of kites. People assemble together to participate in this celebration in the vicinity of the Dargah. In the evening, people again flock near the Marhiya Ghat, on the banks of the Barna Ghat.
