Dargah of Shah Sharifuddin Abdal: A Living Symbol of Love, Peace and Hindu–Muslim Harmony in Balapur, Maharashtra
By Sahil Razvi, New Age Islam
11 December 2025
Maharashtra has long been home to saints who spread compassion, unity and spiritual wisdom. Among them is Hazrat Shah Sharifuddin Abdal Chishti, lovingly known as Dada Sharifuddin, whose dargah in Balapur continues to inspire people with its history, miracles and message of communal harmony.
Main points:
1. The dargah of Shah Sharifuddin is the largest and oldest shrine in Balapur, Akola.
2. The saint is revered as Dada Sharifuddin, a respected elder of the Chishti order.
3. A famous 2002 flood incident is narrated as his miracle by locals.
4. The shrine hosts annual urs, qawwali nights, wrestling contests and langar.
5. The dargah reflects Maharashtra’s enduring tradition of Sufi teachings and communal harmony.
On the sacred soil of Maharashtra, many great saints arrived who served the people, taught them the path of love, and showed them how to live with dignity and harmony. Through their teachings, they spread the message of brotherhood and helped maintain communal harmony in society. One such revered saint rests in Balapur, a town in the Akola district of Maharashtra. Known for many of his miracles, this saint is Hazrat Shah Sharifuddin Abdal Chishti, a respected elder of the Chishti Sufi order. Hazrat Sharifuddin Chishti is also affectionately known as Dada Sharifuddin.
There is a medium-sized dargah of Hazrat Shah Sharifuddin near the bus stand at Balapur in Akola district. Balapur is a taluka headquarters located about 25 kilometres from Akola city. The town has a significant Muslim population, and several dargahs, mazars, and masjids can be found here. The dargah of Hazrat Shah Sharifuddin itself stands inside a graveyard. Balapur is also home to an old fort, believed to be around 700 years old, built by Ismail Nawab. To reach the dargah, one has to pass through an ancient and grand gateway known as the Buland Darwaja.
The dargah of Hazrat Shah Sharifuddin is considered to be very old and is regarded as the biggest in the town. Architecturally, it resembles a typical Central Asian mausoleum. It is believed that the saint came from Mecca with the “1400 Palki,” which travelled to India. Inside the dargah lies a single turbat (grave) of the saint. Women are not permitted to enter the inner sanctum. Not many Hindus seem to visit the shrine. Devotees usually offer flowers, incense sticks, and sweets. Some also offer mutton and chicken as kandoori. On Thursdays and Fridays, more visitors arrive. Many elderly Muslims visit simply to spend their leisure time, enjoying the solitude and open atmosphere, as the dargah is located at one end of the settlement.
According to a local scholar of Balapur, Mohammad Kaleem Naqshbandi, a remarkable incident took place in 2002. He narrates that during the monsoon season, heavy rain began after the Maghrib prayer and continued till around 3 a.m., causing severe flooding in the entire town. Water entered homes and markets were devastated. During this situation, a miracle of Hazrat Shah Sharifuddin is said to have been witnessed. Kaleem explains that the Chowk Shahi Masjid, which stands at a higher elevation, had already been flooded, while the dargah, located at a lower level, still remained safe. Logically, the dargah should have flooded first, but it did not.
He states that when the water reached the third step of the dargah around 3 a.m., a voice was heard from within the shrine, followed by a burst of radiant light. As soon as this happened, the torrential rain weakened and the water level began to recede. He adds that such wonders are known among the friends of Allah; they can draw water from dry wells, so reducing floodwater is not extraordinary for them. (Note: I neither confirm nor deny this incident; these are accounts narrated as legends.)
The annual urs of the dargah is observed from the 10th to the 12th of Shalam. The sandal procession is brought on the second day from the house of Sheikh Rasul Dhobi. Qawwali performances are organised every night during the celebrations. A wrestling competition is also held. Langar is served by the hereditary mujawars.
A regular contributor to New Age Islam, Sahil Razvi is a research scholar specialising in Sufism and Islamic History. He is an alumnus of Jamia Millia Islamia.
URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islamic-personalities/shah-sharifuddin-abdal-hindu-muslim-/d/137973
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