Sufism has a very old bond with Bihar. The Qadri order and Suharwardia order have their origins in Bihar. There are hundreds of holy places associated with Sufi saints in Bihar where Sufism is still a thriving tradition and many important Sufi centres still continue to flourish. Here we present few of them
Manersharif
About 32 km west of Patna along the Patna-Ara highway, Manersharif in Patna district is the most important and oldest centre of Sufism in Bihar. The tradition introduced here by Imam Taj Faqih continues even to this day. Tombs of several well-known Sufi saints, including the mausoleum of Shah Daulat, a contemporary of Mughal Emperors Akbar and Jehangir, are located here. Constructed by Ibrahim Khan Kakar in the early 17th century, this mausoleum epitomises architectural splendour of the Mughal period. Once known as an eminent centre of learning, Maner even attracted scholars like Panini and Vararuchi, both of whom lived and studied here.
Biharsharif
Another famous and thriving Sufi centre is Biharsharif where the tomb of Makhdum Sharfuddin Yahya Maneri, a contemporary of Mohammad bin Tughlaq and Firoz Shah Tughlaq (14th century), is located. A prolific writer, Mukhdum Sharfuddin Yahya Maneri left behind a vast corpus of mystic literature in the form of letters and treatises. He was one of the most renowned Sufi saints in medieval Bihar. Bari Dargah and Chhoti Dargah in Biharsharif town and Panhessa along the Biharsharif- Rajgir road are also important Sufi sites in the state.
Phulwarisharif
There’s another important Sufi centre at Phulwarisharif, seven km from Patna. The `Khanqah Mujeebia’, founded in the 18th century by Pir Mujibullah Qadri, still commands a large popular following. It has been a favourite home to Sufi saints. The sacred hair from the beard of Prophet Mohammad are preserved at `Bari Khanqah’ that attracts thousands of devotees.
Munger
`Khanqah-e-Rahmania’ in Munger is visited by thousands of people from across the country throughout the year. Mulla Mohammad was a Persian poet who had come to India from Mazandran located near the Caspian Sea during the reign of Aurangazeb, who employed him as a tutor of his daughter Zaibunnisa Begum. Mulla Mohammad died in 1704 AD and his tomb existed at `Khanqah-e-Rahmania’ till the early years of this century. THE LAND OF ENLIGHTENMENT 180
Patna City
The dargah of Shah Arzani near Patthar Ki Masjid in old Patna is another old and functioning Sufi centre. It dates back to the days of Mughal Emperor Jehangir.
`Khanqah Munimia’ at Meetan Ghat in Patna City, an 18th century Sufi centre, is a beautiful double-storied mosque built by Mughal Prince Azim on the banks of the Ganga. An annual Urs Chiraga, held here five days after Eid every year, draws hordes of devotees.
`Khanqah Emadia’ at Mangal Talab here is a branch of the `Khanqah Mujeebia’ and has a century- old history. Prominent Sufi saint Hazrat Pir Mujibullah Qadri of Biharsharif founded another `khanqah’ in the 19th century near Mangal Talab here.
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