Shahdara Sharif: Most popular Muslim shrine revered by all faiths
Jammu, June 15: Shahdara Sharif shrine situated in Rajouri district is the most popular among the Muslim shrines of Jammu region visited and revered by thousands of people belonging to all faiths.
The secular ethos of the region is present here as the shrine is held in high esteem by all faiths of the society even as the historic background of the shrine also indicates about the secularism and spiritual height of the shrine.
The Muslim shrine built by a Hindu raja is a lesson about the composite culture that this region has been harboring for centuries. The state is a veritable heaven of spiritualism for millions of believers who proceed on pilgrimage to the numerous shrines and holy sites in which the state abounds. There is hardly any town or city which does not have a shrine of its own.
The shrine is approximately 177 km from Jammu dedicated to Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah and dates back to the 19th century. Standing atop a beautiful hillock in Thanna Mandi area, 29 km from Rajouri town, Shahdra Sharif has quite a story attached to it. It is believed that Gulab Singh, the army general of Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Punjab, got this shrine constructed.
As per the historical sources, in 1820 AD, Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Punjab sent his army general, Gulab Singh, to defeat an adversary. However, the general lost most of the soldiers and was left with 25 odd ones. When he was camping at Thanna-Mandi, he came to know about Baba Ghulam Shah ‘Badshah’ and went to meet him. The Baba, who lived in the nearby locality of Shahdra, looked at him and smiled. On being asked the reason for his smile, he said that he was smiling at the prosperous future of Gulab Singh.
Then the Baba asked him to climb on top of the mountain and look around. He further added that all the places that he can see with his naked eyed today, would be a part of his territory someday. Gulab Singh climbed and saw Jammu, Kashmir, Kishtwar and Tibet. Delighted, Gulab Singh asked Baba to take some Jagir (land) from him. Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah asked him just for the land of Shahdra Sharief in Jammu. Gulab Singh got the land transferred in the name of Baba.
Sometime later, the prediction of Baba Ghulam Shah came true and Gulab Sigh became the Maharaja of the State of Jammu and Kashmir. After his victory, he again went to visit Baba Ghulam Shah to express his gratitude. However, the Baba had left for the holy abode, by that time. As a mark of his gratitude towards the saint, Gulab Sigh got the shrine of Jammu Shahdra Sharif constructed. Even today, devotees of each and every faith visit this shrine to pay respect to the holy saint.
People of all religions visit this shrine and they believe Shahdra Sharief equally sacred. Devotees from all casts pay a visit to the dargah and hence communicate a message of harmony and peace among people.
This shrine in Rajouri town is located at a low level. It has beautiful mountains surrounding from all directions. Mannuwal Nikka Mountain adjoins this shrine from the East while Kopra and Paglan-alli lie in the West. North of this shrine is surrounded by Sirhi and Jammu Chmarer Galli. The shrine looks astonishing with a small stream flowing towards it. Shahdra Sharief is constructed in a Kashmiri style with its exterior decorated of Multani architecture. In late 20th century, the slope that leads to this Muslim shrine was embellished with a Mughal style garden.
SADA BAHAR, a famous tree near the shrine, bears fruits all round the year. It is believed that the fruits here do not decompose with age. They can be stored for longer periods without refrigeration.
Ghulam Shah of Syed family made Shahdra his adobe for his entire life. He reached this village in 1765 for meditation. This shrine is surrounded by scenic high mountains, green pastures and dense forests.
A langar is held at Ziarat everyday and it serves around 3000 devotees daily. Kashmiri tea is served inside all day. This shrine can accommodate about 4000 people at a time. It also has space for 800 beds. Shahdra Sharief Jamia Masjid is a mosque attached to the shrine. On 10th of Muharram every year, Urs of Hazrat Ghulam Shah Badshah is celebrated. People pay tribute to the holy saint and offer rice, atta and other items apart from hard cash.
Reaching Shahdra Sharief Shrine is quite convenient. One can take a direct train service from major cities of the country like Delhi, Chennai and Bangalore to reach Jammu. Taxi and bus services are easily available at a nominal charge.
Shahdra Sharief is connected with the Rajouri district by a 30 km long road. Bus services from Jammu and Rajouri operates regularly to the shrine. Taxis are also available from Rajouri as well as Jammu to take pilgrims to this very popular Muslim shrine.
Thousands of devotees of all faiths, irrespective of cast, colour and creed, visit the shrine every day in deep faith and with great devotion. And it is strongly believed by the multitude of the Baba’s devotees that their cherished desires are invariably fulfilled. Interestingly, the pilgrims and visitors to the shrine are provided free accommodation, food and other facilities by the shrine management. Now large-scale infrastructure development carried out by the shrine management as well as the State Government has made this holy heritage site easily accessible to everyone and the shrine now attracts large numbers of pilgrims every year. There is an independent university dedicated to this shrine by the name of Baba Ghulam Shah Badsha University. (Compiled with inputs from tourism related sites)