At the foot of a barren hill,
is situated India's most important pilgrimage centre for
people from all faiths. It is the splendid tomb of the
Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, more popularly known
as Khwaja Saheb or Khwaja Sharif. The shrine is next only
to Mecca or Medina for the Muslims of South Asia. Akbar
used to make a pilgrimage to the Dargah from Agra once a
year. The mausoleum has a gigantic gate, which was built
by the Nizam of Hyderabad. The two massive cauldrons in
the courtyard are of particular interest and on the right
side of the courtyard is the Akbari Masjid built in white
marble. There is another mosque in the courtyard built by
Shahjahan. The saint's tomb with a splendid marble dome is
in the centre of the second courtyard which is surrounded
by a silver platform. The shrine attracts thousands of
pilgrims during the Urs - commemorating the death
anniversary of the Saint, held from the 1st to 6th day of
the Islamic month of Rajab. A colourful fair that springs
up during this time is the major attraction. |