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HARIDWAR |
Best valued accommodation at the best Hotels in Haridwar |
Kaliyar SharifIt's really surprising to find an
Islamic shrine in the midst of countless Hindu temples and ashrams. But
that is what India actually represents. Locally referred to as Piran
Kaliyar, the Kaliyar Sharif (also spelled "Kalyar Sharif") is
the site where sufi saint Makhdoom Sayed Alauddin Ali Ahmed Sabir lies
buried. It is a small village where the shrine is located. A 30 minutes
drive from Haridwar takes you here. There is more than one gateway to
gain access to the shrine. Elaborate enamel work adorns the sides of the
tomb wall. The front half of the shrine is the antechamber while the
tomb lies in the back half.    The shrine of Kaliyar Sharif has a
history dating back 800 years. Baba Sabir, as locals call him, was a
Muslim saint and was known for his miracles. Everyday, there are
hundreds of people visiting the shrine to seek the saint's blessing. The
tomb was built by Qutbe Alam, another saint. The religious head of the
shrine is Shah Mansoor Aijaz Sabri, a descendant of Qutbe Alam. During
the Urs Festival, devotees come here in hordes to pray and to seek
favour from the saint. The Urs takes place every year during May-June. If you like listening to Sufi music,
you can attend the Qawwali sessions organised in the afternoons and
evenings. The Qawwali singers are noted for their high-pitched voice.
They sing praises of the saint as well as Allah. As soon as the Qawwali
session begins, the atmosphere begins to acquire its true colour. A
spiritual aura pervades all over. Devotees sit in circles around the
singers to listen to them. Apart from devotees at the shrine, you will
notice faqirs (meaning Muslim holy men) who have made the saint their
ideal. For the people of the town of Kaliyar,
the shrine of Kaliyar Sharif is the only means of support. In fact, the
town is just a collection of shops. These shopkeepers earn their bread
by selling prayer commodities, food and offerings for the saint. During
the Urs Festivals, they get very busy.
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