In true syncretic tradition, Haji Malang Dargah situated at Shree Malanggad in Kalyan is one of the rare pilgrimages that attracts both Hindus and Muslims. It is a holy 300-year-old shrine of Hazrat Abdur Rahman Haji Malang Baba, a Sufi saint from the Middle East. The religious rituals at the dargah are performed by both Muslim Mutavalli (claiming to be a distant family member of the Saint) and a Hindu Vahivatdar (a traditional priest belonging to the Hindu Karandekar family). The elaborate history of the Haji Malang Baba, as well as the Malanggad fort, attracts thousands of devotees of Baba from various parts of the country.
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| Haji Malang Dargah decorated during Urs Festival |
Urs Festival at Haji Malang Dargah
Every year in February, a festival is organized on the picturesque Malanggad mountain where Haji Malang Baba's holy shrine is located. On the occasion of Baba Haji Malang's annual death ceremony, people celebrate the "Urs Festival". People of various castes and creeds participate in the Urs ceremony with zeal. Since the hill is crowded with thousands of devotees during this period, the police force is present to handle the crowd and avoid any misconduct.
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| Urs Festival Celebration |
Haji Malang Baba’s Palki Procession
The festivities start with the unfurling of the ceremonial flag and lasts for nine days. On the first day of the annual celebration, the palanquin of Baba Haji Malang known as "Palki" is used in the juloos (procession). This program is popularly called "Sandal Palki ka Gasht".
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| Palki of Hazrat Haji Malang Shah Baba |
It starts from Haji Malang Dargah at midnight, covers the entire Haji Malang mountain, and reaches back the dargah around 5 am at the dawn. The procession is led by Hindu Vahivatdar Madhav Gopal Ketkar.
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| Palki Procession at the Haji Malang Urs Festival |
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| Sacred tomb of Haji Malang Baba decorated during Urs |
Other Attractions of the Urs Festival
Followed by Haji Malang Baba Palki, other programs like “Milad Sharif”, “Dhamal”, “Mir Sultan Shah Baba Urs”, and “Gusal Sharif” take place on the subsequent days.
During the procession, the entire mountain is illuminated by beautiful lights. There is a spectacular series of fireworks displayed on the mountain. The Palki of Haji Malang Baba is decorated with flowers. The devotees pay their respect with floral chadars, cloth chadars, sandalwood, and other perfumed offerings.
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| Dargah premises lit up with light and floral decorations |
Nobody sleeps till dawn as they enjoy the spiritual atmosphere and captivating firework display at the mountain. Muslim communities perform Qawwalis, devotional songs whereas Hindu communities perform Aarti in the procession.
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| Pilgrims gathered near the dargah during Urs Festival midnight |
Accommodations are available near Haji Malang Dargah for the pilgrims. If you are planning to travel to Haji Malang Gad, the duration of Urs Festival is the best time to visit the dargah and witness the spiritual splendor.
