History of Haji Malang Baba, A Sufi Saint of Malang Gad

 Who was Hazrat Haji Malang Baba?

Baba Abdur Rehman Malang was a Sufi saint who travelled to India from the middle east in the 12th century AD. It is believed that Malang Baba along with his followers reached the Bramhanwadi village which was then ruled by King Naladev of the Maurya dynasty. The tenants and the community were traumatized by the havoc created by the demons in King Naladev’s state. The atrocities reached an excruciating extent which is when God sent Malang Baba to visit this place to salvage the fear-stricken people, ensure prosperity in the society by eradicating the evil and devastation caused by them.

On reaching the village, they felt parched and requested some water from a close-by house belonging to a Brahmin Ketkar family. Realizing that they were exhausted and thirsty, the Brahmin offered them milk rather than just water and arranged a place for them to rest. This noble act by the Brahmin was greatly appreciated by Malang Baba and he blessed him. Later, Baba set out on his divine journey to eradicate evil and ensure the well-being of mankind. 

His holy body was buried at Malanaggad. The devotees built the holy shrine in his memory which displays communal harmony as both a Hindu 'Vahivatdar' and a Muslim 'Mutavalli' participate in the rituals. A large number of Muslim and Hindu devotees visit the Haji Malang Dargah every year to seek blessings and get their wishes fulfilled.

Haji Abdur Rahman Malang Baba Dargah

History and Traditions followed at Haji Malang Dargah

Haji Malang Dargah, which is one of the most famous among the three ancient Sufi shrines located on the hill of Malang Gad near Kalyan in the Thane district of Maharashtra. The 300-year-old Mazar Sharif of Haji Malang Baba is situated on the lowest level plateau, which is 2500 feet long and 1000 feet broad. 

Haji Malang Dargah at the foothill of Malang Gad

The other two shrines are of Hazrat Baqtawar Shah and Hazrat Sultan Shah. They were the disciples of Malang Baba who came from the Gulf to take back Baba along with them. But he refused to return and said that he had decided to spend the rest of his life here. Likewise, the two disciples also stayed back at Malang gad and devoted their entire life to Baba’s service. Humbled by their devotion, Malang Baba exclaimed that in the future if anybody desires to meet me and give a salami, one ought to give salami to these two Dargahs of my companions first. Since then it became a tradition that whenever people visit the fort, they must pay a visit to Dargah of Hazrat Baqtawar Shah and Hazrat Sultan Shah along the way, which is also popularly known as ‘Pehli Salami’ and ‘Doosri Salami’ followed by the main Haji Malang Baba Dargah. 

Pehli Salami - Hazrat Baqtawar Shah Dargah

Doosri Salami - Hazrat Sultan Shah Dargah

To know more about the structure, history and traditions followed at the Haji Malang Shrine, read our blog on "Haji Malang Dargah, A Holy Shrine of Haji Malang Baba".

History of Pir Machi and Panch Pir Dargah

Hajimalang baba was also accompanied by five Pirs (a title for Sufi spiritual guides). A plateau is named after these followers as ‘Panch Pir’ or ‘Pir Machi’ (Machi means ‘a tableland’ in the Marathi language). One can locate the plateau at the other end of the Malanggad fort on which the dargah of these Pirs can be seen.

Sacred Tomb of Panch Pir

Mythological Story of the horse of Haji Malang Baba

According to the mythological story the hill was originally thrice the present height. When Baba reached the base with his horse ‘Duldul’, the height of the hill was magically scaled as the horse set his footprints on the hill. It is believed that the spot at which Baba’s horse touched the hill, water started flowing. This region is named as ‘Ghode ki Taap’. Astonishingly, clear water continues to flow even today, and pilgrims take this water home and drink it with faith as they believe it has the power of healing.

Ghode ki Taap - Water Fountain of Duldul Horse

Devotees of Malang Baba 

In the prevailing times of religious intolerance and communal violence in the country, Haji Malang Dargah in the Kalyan region of Maharashtra is one of the few places where people from different religions, beliefs come together with just one thing common amongst them – faith in the miracles of Malang Baba, and bow their head in reverence.

Even today, the dargah is taken care of by the same Hindu Brahmin family whose ancestors are believed to have guarded the holy shrine at that time. The Dargah Trust involves individuals from both the Muslim and the Hindu groups. A Sindhi family, for as long back as two ages, has been running a langar administration or local area kitchen to give food free of cost to the visitors.

Thousands of pilgrims of diverse faiths visit the dargah to pay their respect and seek blessings from Haji Malang Baba, making it a symbol of communal amity.

Want to know how to visit Malanggad? Check out our blog on "How to Reach Haji Malang Gad - A Trek Destination in Kalyan".

The following video describes experience of a devotee and history of Haji Malang Baba –

Haji Malang Dargah, A Holy Shrine of Haji Malang Baba

Haji malang dargah is a 300-year-old dargah which is on a fort called malanggad. Malanggad is a hill near Kalyan, Maharashtra which is located at about 789 m above sea level. This dargah is one of the few where a Hindu Vahivatdar(a priest from the family of Hindu Vahivatdar) and a Muslim Mutavalli(a family member of the saint) have found to be coordinating together in managing the religious rituals.

Haji Abdur Rehman Malang Baba Dargah

 

Haji Malang Baba - A Sufi Saint from Middle East

The dargah is famous for Baba Abdur Rehman Malang who was a Sufi saint who visited India in the AD 12th century from the middle east. The uniqueness of the dargah is that it is situated upon a hill, and as we see every temple have normal stairs to reach the temple and to reach the dargah devotee is required to do the trek to reach the dargah. The dargah is also well known by the name Hazrat Baba Haji Malang Dargah.

 

The History of Haji Malang Baba -

When the Maurya dynasty was ruled by the king named “Nala Raja” or “Naladev”, it is believed at this time Haji Malang baba visited Bramhanwadi along with his followers. The people in the state of Maharashtra were devasted by the chaos which was produced by the demons under the kings ruling. When this cruelty reached an extent, people believed that God listened to their call for help and sent Malang baba to visit the place to retrieve the safety and wellbeing of the people by removing the evil of the state.

When Malang baba reached the small village called Bramhanwadi near the mountain along with his followers he felt thirsty and asked for some water from a nearby house which was belonging to a brahmin Ketkar family. The brahmin realized they were thirsty and tired, so he offered them a place to rest for a while and instead of water he gave them milk. The act of brahmin was of a kindhearted person and Malang baba appreciated it and blessed him. Later he bid farewell and set out his foot to retrieve the safety and wellbeing of the people by removing the evil of the state.

Haji Malang Dargah from Sonemachi

The story of two Dargahs, Pehli Salami and Doosri Salami -

Before reaching the dargah you will see two small dargahs which are known as The Pehli Salami and The Doosri Salami. The first dargah is where the Pehli salami is given to HAZRAT BAQTAWAR SHAH and the second salami is given to HAZRAT SULTAN SHAH, these Hazrats came from GULF to take back Haji Malang Baba but the baba refused to go with them and said that this is the place where he belongs now and is willing to spend the rest of his life hearing this both the Hazrats who came from gulf also decided to stay with the baba till the end of their life. After this Haji Malang Baba said if anyone wants to see or meet me, they will have to give salami to these Hazrats first.

 

Pehli Salami – Hazrat Baqtawar Shah Dargah

Doosri Salami – Hazrat Sultan Shah Dargah

Dargah is the first stop of the trek if you wish to complete the trek you can go forward and reach Sonemachi which is the second stop and to reach the final stop which is called Balekilla but the way for Balekilla have broken. you can learn more about the three levels on our blog "History of Haji Malang Gad, A Trek Destination to Explore". To reach the haji Malang dargah it will take up to three hours. There are 1500 plus steps to reach the dargah from the base village. You will also find many shops around the dargah selling soft drinks, snacks, meals and religious items for the people visiting the dargah. Not only mosques but you will also find "Hindu temples on the way towards dargah". Dargah is taken care of by both Hindu and Muslim families. A Sindhi family near dargah is popularly known for providing free food to all the visitors.

 

Hazrat Malang Dargah Photo

 

Once a year people celebrate a big festival called URS on the mountain which is named after Malang Baba, read our blog "URS – A Festival Celebrated at Haji Malang Dargah in Kalyan" to know more. The Haji Malang Dargah is kept clean and well maintained by the villagers and the devotees of baba, you will also see carvings on the wall of the dargah which is beautiful. The atmosphere surrounding the mosque and the faith that flows from within it makes one feel safe, serene and joyful.

As the Dargah is situated on a hill, the best time to visit is in the monsoon. The path to the dargah become lively with its natural beauty during the monsoon making the trek towards dargah a joyful adventure.

History of Haji Malang Gad, A Trek Destination to Explore

Haji Malang Gad is a fort situated in the Matheran Hill range, in the Raigad district, Maharashtra. It is also known as Shree Malang Gad or Malang gad. Malang Gad fort is about 2590 ft. above sea level. It is approximately of the same height as that of Chanderi Fort in Badlapur. It is as far as 17km from Kalyan city, near Mumbai. 

It is now best known for trekking and an extraordinary view of the district from the top of the hill. It is an east-west facing a mountain that provides a good view of dusk and dawn. Haji Malang Dargah is situated at the lower level of the fort, where people come to worship. Once every year a festival is celebrated at the Dargah which is named after Baba Haji Malang. Also, there is a deep history of Haji Malang Baba which you can read at "History of Haji Malang Baba, A Sufi Saint of Malang Gad".

Let’s Learn the History of Haji Malang Gad

In the seventh century, king Naladev of the Maurya Dynasty had built the Malang Gad fort. During this period Nathpanthi Saint (famously known as Machhindranath) lived at the fort. 

In the 17th century, the Marathas captured the fort. A huge battle was fought between the Marathas and the British East India Company in the monsoon of 1780, under the control of Nana Phadnavis. The battle was bravely fought by Pandurang Ketkar and his Gardi Musketeers. The Britishers lost the battle, and in this success of the Marathas, the Ketkar family who imputed the battle continued to become the caretaker of the fort. Ketkars, who belonged to the Shri Malang Wadi village, were the kiledars of the fort.

Later in 1897, the British East India Company conquered the Haji Malang Gad fort. In October, Colonel Hartley and Captain Jameson came from Kalyan with their reinforcements. They then defeated the Marathas and ruled over the fort. 

How Haji Malang Gad is distinguished in three different levels

Haji Malang Gad is structured in three distinct levels, namely, Pir Machi (big plateau), Sone Machi (long thin plateau) and Balekilla (Citadel).

Pir Machi (Big Plateau) – 

The Tableland of the fort is known to be "Pir Machi". It is the lowest level of the mountain. A Dargah is situated at this lowest level of the plateau. It is named as Sufi Saint Haji Malang Dargah. This Haji Malang Dargah is 2500 feet long and 1000 feet broad. To know more about Haji Malang Dargah read our blog "Haji Malang Dargah, A Holy Shrine of Haji Malang Baba". Towards the corner of the rock, Panchi Pir is established. This Panchi Pir is named after the five Pirs that followed Haji Malang. It is said that those are the five disciples of Baba Malang.

Pir Machi

Panch Pir

Sone Machi (Long Thin Plateau) – 

"Sone Machi" is the higher level at the lower section of the fort. This Machi is shaped like an elephant’s trunk. The outgrowth of the rock is 100 feet long and 70 feet broad. Sone Machi has projected in a way that it has two bastions on sides facing the east and a rampart wall facing the west through which there were no machicolations to attack the invading enemies. Sone machi also has a Chor Darwaja (Hidden door) that opens deep into the valley on the east side of the Gad. 

Sone Machi

Balekilla (Citadel) – 

This is the topmost and difficult level of the fort. At this level of the fort, are five reservoirs, and with the help of pipes, the water is supplied to the lower levels of the fort. These reservoirs are filled with water during the month of May-June. At the Balekilla there is a rectangular shaped open stone-built structure which is called as Devni or Bara Ansaar Pinnacle. 

Balekilla

Haji Malang Gad is a fort that is depended on the natural aspects of the mountain that is well versed to defend itself. For fortification, the fort is truly dependent on the shape of the mountain. Haji Malang Gad is visited by people from all caste and creed as there are many mosques and temples on its way. The walls of the Malang Gad are very high and have a sheer drop on the sides. The dense forest near and around the fort are evergreen in the base and Machi areas. 

Now Haji Malang Gad is best known for Trekking. It is rated from medium to difficult level of the trek.