A Dargah is a Sufi shrine built over the grave of a revered and enlightened master, often a Sufi saint. Local Muslims visit the shrine known as (ziyarat). Dargahs are often associated with Sufi meeting rooms and hostels, known as khanqah. They often include a mosque, meeting rooms, schools (Madrassas), residences for a teacher or caretaker, hospitals, and other buildings for community purposes. Many Muslims believe that dargahs are portals by which they can invoke the deceased saint's intercession and blessing (see Tawassul).
Over time, musical offerings of dervishes (mendicants) in the presence to the devout at these shrines, usually impromptu or on the occasion of Urs, gave rise to music genres like, Qawwali and Kafi, where Sufi poetry is put to music and sang as an offering to the murshid, the Sufi Guide.
The word Urs has been derived from “UROOS” which means “ultimate meeting of an individual with God”. Normally every year Urs Mubarak is celebrated on his death anniversary of the particular Saint. The shrine is illuminated with candles or strings of electric lights.
Urs (literally "wedding") is the death anniversary of a Sufi saint in South Asia, usually held at the saint's dargah (shrine or tomb). South Asian Sufis being mainly Chishtiyya, refer to their saints as lovers and God as beloved. They refer to their death as wisaal (union with the beloved) and death anniversary as urs (marriage). Urs rituals are generally performed by the custodians of the shrine, and may often include the singing of religious music such as Qawwali.
During Urs Shijra is read by Khadiman-e-Khwaja then Fariyad (Prayers) start for people present at the Dargah and for the country and its people for the peace and prosperity and also those who are not present but have sent Nazar-o-Niyaz to the Khadims to mark their presence for their welfare and for the promotion of brotherhood amongst them. Khadiman-e-Khwaja tie small turbans on each other’s head and present Nazar (offerings in cash).
Just before the Qu'l, Bhadawa is sung at the main entrance of the Shrine by Qawwals which literally means a poem or verses in praise of Allah, His Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) or famous Sufis (Auliyas). Badahwa is the only recitation which is accompanied by talis (clapping) only, and no other instrument is played. After its recitation, the ceremony of the Qul comes to an end and Fatiha is recited.
Even in Rome, in the Cistine Chapel and surrounding the tombs of past POPE's are laid down.
So this practice can be found across religions and traditions.
In Islam, as the prophet ordained that only Allaha is worthy to be worshiped and none of the followers. However It is in India, perhaps in India Alone it could have happened, when one offers a prayer at a Darga the prayer is offered directly to the Superme Lord Allaha but through his faithful devotee in the Darga. This is perfectly accepted in traditional Islam.
One need not have reservations to go and bow down and pay respects to the Masters in the Darga.
Before 1930's we are not aware of the state of the Darga and its surroundings..The shrines might have been buried in the ground with little or no recognition.
Around 1940/1950 Swami arrived here with Ammaya on specific directions ordained to him by his Guru. However Swami was very adamant initially to go down, stay and worship the shrines. He had many personal experiences (direct and intuitive) and finally accepted that this is his place to stay.
Perhaps at that time the Juvvi Trees were not huge as we see them today. Also there were no walls around the Shrines. Swami Purchased the Land in which the Darga's was there and took care of them ardently. He started the celebrating the URS function annually.
Swami and Ammaya offered a Ghee lamp and prayers (Kalma as they call in Islam) daily in the morning and the evening. Even to this day it is practiced.
As part of the prayer, water (Tirtha) and any other offerings brought be the devotees is offered to the Masters in the Darga. Then the Tirtham is given to the devotees. Most of the devotees have their own distress alleviating and wish fulfilling experiences on offering prayers in the Darga and the Tirtham offered here.
On the annual Urs function it is believed that the two saints come out of their tomb and roam around the place and mingle with people to bless them.
Every Thursday Swami performs Abhisekham to the shines and change the clothes called as "Galaf"on them. After this Swami distributes Tirtham to the people present. Many people come from far and near to take this Tirtham. Devotees have their own personal experiences on the efficacy of this Tirtham.
I had the opportunity to listen to devotees who had the experience of seeing these two saints in physical form.
A view of the surroundings around Darga.
On the left is a picture of the shrine of
HAZRAT DARBAR ALI SHAH VALI RAHMATULLA ALIA BABA
and towards the right is of
HAZRAT JALIL MASTAN VALI
The Neelakantha Rao Peta Darga contains the shrines of the above two Sufi Saints
Hazrat Darbar Ali Shah Vali Baba is believed to have visited this place around 14th Century. He was carrying two twigs with him given by his Guru. One is that of a "Juvvi"/Fig tree. These dried twigs are given to him by his Guru with an indication that the place where these twigs when planted sprout will be his resting place. The huge Juvvi Tree seen in front of the Darga on the Northern Side is believed to have been planted by him.
Subsequently around the 16th Century Hazrat Jalil Mastan Vali visited this place.
The Urs function of these two Islamic saints is celebrated every year on the full moon day in the month of Phalguna. Following is an invitation pamphlet from a previous occasion.
To enshrine the tomb of an accomplished master and worship it is practiced with equal reverence in all traditions and religions.
An individual when attains the state of perfection, the tradition equates such an individual to the Brahaman/Supreme.
"బ్రహ్మ విద్ బ్రహ్మైవ భవతి"
In Sringeri or any where in India, when a self realized master leaves his body it is venerated and taken care with highest respect.
In Shaivism a linga is placed on top the tomb and it is called an Adhistana.
Ex: If one visits Sringeri, the seat of learning one can find many Adhistanam's there.
In Vaishnavisim a Tulisi Plant is placed and it is called a Brindavanam.
Ex: Shri Raghavendra Swami's Brindavanam
Even in Rome, in the Cistine Chapel and surrounding the tombs of past POPE's are laid down.
So this practice can be found across religions and traditions.
In Islam, as the prophet ordained that only Allaha is worthy to be worshiped and none of the followers. However It is in India, perhaps in India Alone it could have happened, when one offers a prayer at a Darga the prayer is offered directly to the Superme Lord Allaha but through his faithful devotee in the Darga. This is perfectly accepted in traditional Islam.
One need not have reservations to go and bow down and pay respects to the Masters in the Darga.
Before 1930's we are not aware of the state of the Darga and its surroundings..The shrines might have been buried in the ground with little or no recognition.
Around 1940/1950 Swami arrived here with Ammaya on specific directions ordained to him by his Guru. However Swami was very adamant initially to go down, stay and worship the shrines. He had many personal experiences (direct and intuitive) and finally accepted that this is his place to stay.
Perhaps at that time the Juvvi Trees were not huge as we see them today. Also there were no walls around the Shrines. Swami Purchased the Land in which the Darga's was there and took care of them ardently. He started the celebrating the URS function annually.
Swami and Ammaya offered a Ghee lamp and prayers (Kalma as they call in Islam) daily in the morning and the evening. Even to this day it is practiced.
As part of the prayer, water (Tirtha) and any other offerings brought be the devotees is offered to the Masters in the Darga. Then the Tirtham is given to the devotees. Most of the devotees have their own distress alleviating and wish fulfilling experiences on offering prayers in the Darga and the Tirtham offered here.
On the annual Urs function it is believed that the two saints come out of their tomb and roam around the place and mingle with people to bless them.
Every Thursday Swami performs Abhisekham to the shines and change the clothes called as "Galaf"on them. After this Swami distributes Tirtham to the people present. Many people come from far and near to take this Tirtham. Devotees have their own personal experiences on the efficacy of this Tirtham.
I had the opportunity to listen to devotees who had the experience of seeing these two saints in physical form.
A view of the surroundings around Darga.
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