Tale of Haji Malang Baba's 'Duldul' Horse

Haji Malang Baba is a Sufi Saint who traveled from the Middle East in the 12th century AD. During the Maurya dynasty, when King Naladev ruled, Malang Baba reached Bramhanwadi with his followers. It is believed that God himself had sent Malang Baba to the fort to salvage the fear-stricken people, ensure prosperity in the society by eradicating the evil and devastation caused by the demons in King Naladev’s state.

 

The place where Haji Malang Baba's Horse "Duldul" was buried

Haji Malang Baba’s Horse “Duldul”

It is believed that Haji Malang Baba had a horse ‘Duldul’ who was his companion at the fort. It was described that in those older and wilder times, Allah found it unacceptable that demons harassed people and innocent animals on this mountain by devouring them. At the time, it is said, the hill was so huge that fires lit at its top could be seen to Mecca-Medina. When Allah identified the fire, he asked Haji Malang Baba about the same. Baba noticed that the fire that has originated is from a fort in a country named Hindustan and Allah, being angry, asked Malang Baba to visit the Haji Malang Gad immediately and kill the demons. Due to this, Haji Malang Baba starting their journey for Konkan on his horse and with two companions to defeat the demons. 

On reaching the village Brahmanwadi, which is the base of the hill, Baba felt tired, thirsty, and exhausted at which a resident Brahmin family gave him a glass of milk and a place to rest. Baba felt very satisfied with the family of Brahmanwadi, who were the Ketkars of the village.

Then Malang Baba and his companions went up to the first stage, where one of Baba’s companions, decided to rest, to which Haji Malang Baba agreed. Now Baba was in a doubt about how to move ahead, so he requested his horse Duldul to reach the top of the hill. Malang Baba, thought of jumping from the hill, as to no one on this earth is born to live forever, he has to die one day or another. He has to just perform good deeds in his life. Duldul agreed to this thought of Haji Malang Baba and wagging his tail with all his strength, he flew like a bird to some distance at the top of the hill before he died. Haji Malang Baba’s companions then buried Duldul at the spot where he died and his horseshoe emerged magically over there. One can still visit and have a sight of the magical horseshoe.

He generated water on top of the hill for his ablutions by flinging and banging something he held in his hand to the ground with the name of Allah on his lips. Miraculously, water gushed out of the spot that devotees call “Chasma” or fountain1.

 

Ghode ki Taap

Magic and Myth about Haji Malang Baba’s Horse “Duldul”

It is believed that when Haji Malang Baba reached the base with his horse “Duldul”, its height was huge, as the horse had set his footprints on the fort. It was said that when the Baba’s horse ‘Duldul’ touched the hill, the water started flowing from that exact place. The place is known to be “Ghode ki Taap”. Surprisingly the water is fresh and clear, and even today it continues to flow.

Want to visit the Haji Malang Dargah? Check out our blog Haji Malang Dargah, A Holy Shrine of Haji Malang Baba.

 

Journey of Haji Malang Baba from Middle East to India

In the times of religious bigotry, Haji Malang Dargah in Maharashtra's Kalyan region is one of the few places where people of diverse religious beliefs come together with only one thing in common – faith in Malang Baba's miracles and bow in reverence. Here is the mythological story behind Haji Malang Baba's journey from the middle east to India -

Baba Abdur Rehman Malang was a Sufi saint from the Middle East who came to India in the 12th century AD. Malang Baba and his followers arrived in Bramhanwadi village, which was ruled by King Naladev of the Maurya dynasty at that time. The havoc wreaked by the demons in King Naladev's state traumatized the tenants and the city. God sent Malang Baba to this location to rescue the distressed people and ensure the wellbeing of society by eradicating the evil and destruction wrought by them.

They were parched when they arrived in the village and requested water from a nearby house belonging to a Brahmin Ketkar family. Realizing that they were tired and thirsty, the Brahmin offered them not only water but milk and set up a resting place for them. Malang Baba praised the Brahmin's noble deed and bestowed blessings on him. Baba then embarked on his spiritual journey to eradicate evil and ensure humanity's well-being. His holy body was buried at the Malanggad fort where the Haji Malang shrine was built.

Haji Abdur Rehman Malang Baba Dargah

Haji Malang Dargah at the foothill of Shree Malanggad fort

Companions of Haji Malang Baba

Hazrat Baqtawar Shah Baba

Baqtawar Shah Baba was a follower of Haji Malang Baba. He traveled from the middle east to India to take Baba back along with him. However, Baba refused to return saying he wanted to stay back and spend the rest of his for people's welfare. Upon hearing Baba's decision Baqtawar Shah Baba decided to stay at Malanggad and devote his life to Baba's service. Humbled by his devotion, Malang Baba exclaimed that whoever needs to seek blessings must visit and pay respect to Baqtawar Shah Baba first. Since then it has become a tradition to visit Hazrat Baqtawar Shah Baba Dargah before visiting the Haji Malang Dargah, which is why the shrine is popularly known as ‘Pehli Salami’.

Pehli Salami - Hazrat Baqtawar Shah Baba Dargah

Mir Sultan Shah Baba

Mir Sultan Shah Baba was a follower of Haji Malang Baba and a companion of Hazrat Baqtawar Shah Baba. They both wanted to return to the middle east with Malang Baba. But when Malang Baba declined it, they both stayed with him and spent their entire life diligently at Bramhanwadi village, now known as Malang wadi or Malanggad, at Baba's service. 

On the way to Haji Malang Dargah, one must visit Hazrat Baqtawar Shah Baba Dargah (Pehli Salami), followed by Mir Sultan Shah Dargah, popularly known as 'Doosri Salami'. This is one of the most important traditions followed at Haji Malang Gad.

Doosri Salami - Mir Sultan Shah Baba Dargah

Ma Fatima

Ma Fatima was another disciple of Haji Malang Baba. Pilgrims pay respect to Ma Fatima at the beautiful dome-like structure present at the Haji Malang Dargah.

Tombs of Hazrat Haji Malang Baba and his disciple Ma Fatima 

Paanch Pir

Hajimalang Baba was also accompanied by five Sufi spiritual guides, titled 'Pirs' in Urdu. The sacred tomb of these Pirs can be seen on the plateau at the opposite end of the Malanggad fort. This plateau is named Pir Machi (Machi means a tableland) after the Pirs. It takes a few minutes to reach Pir Machi from the Haji Malang Dargah.

Sacred tombs of Panch Pir

Shree Malanggad (also known as Haji Malang Gad) derives its name from the Sufi saint Malang Baba, as he stayed at this place. Urs is a festival that commemorates his death anniversary in the month of February. A huge procession (known as ‘Palkhi’) is carried by the devotees which starts from Haji Malang Dargah and then covers the entire mountain of Malanggad. Read our blog “URS – A Festival Celebrated at Haji Malang Dargah in Kalyan” to know more.

The holy shrine of Malang Baba is the epitome of communal harmony. It is the main attraction of the Malanggad fort which attracts thousands of visitors throughout the year. Read our blog “9 Unknown Facts about Haji Malang Dargah in Kalyan, Maharashtra” before visiting the holy shrine. After seeking blessings at the dargah, trek enthusiasts can explore the Malanggad fort by visiting Sone Machi and Balekilla.

Hindu Temples near Haji Malang Dargah

Haji Malang Dargah is situated on a fort called Malanggad in Maharashtra. The "Malanggad fort" is popular for the trek towards the top of the mountain and the Haji Malang Dargah which is the first level of the mountain. Malanggad Fort is divided into three levels that is "Pir Machi", "Sone Machi" and "Balekilla".

"Haji Malang Dargah" is named after a Sufi saint Haji Abdur Rehman Malang Baba who visited India from the Middle East in the AD 12th Century. This Dargah is 300-year-old and the fort has a "history of the Maratha-British war" which took place in 1780. The identity of the Dargah is that is situated upon a mountain and to reach the Dargah you must do the trek which consists of 1500 plus steps from the Base Village.

The closest city to the "Haji Malang Dargah is the Kalyan City". The Malanggad fort is 17 Km away from Kalyan Railway Station and from Mumbai, it takes 2 hours to reach by Road. Once you start the trek you will see many small Hindu temples starting from the base village till you reach the Haji Malang Dargah.

Hindu temples in the base village -

Datta Temple Wadi –

Also renowned as Datta Mandir, the Datta temple is the temple of paradigmatic sannyasi (monk) and popularly known as the Lord of Yoga is worshipped as a Hindu God. In several regions of India, he is considered to be an incarnation of the divine Trinity Siva, Vishnu and Brahma and together known as Trimurti. Dattaguru or Dattatreya is viewed as Adi Guru (Ancient Teacher) who is worshipped for Intelligence, Supreme knowledge, and Divine wisdom.

Hanuman Mandir Wadi –

Lord Hanuman is one of the most worshipped gods in the Hindu religion. He is also known as the Pawan Putra as he is the son of Vayu, the god of the wind. Lord Hanuman the monkey god is known to be Immortal and invincible and is popularly to be the passionate devotee of Lord Rama. He is also regarded as the exemplar of Devotion, Strength and Perseverance and can fight evil. Lord Hanuman is worshipped to achieve blessings, Protection and strength.

Ganpati Mandir Wadi –

The list of Hindu temples is incomplete without mentioning the Ganapati Mandir. Ganapati mandir is also known as Ganesh Temple in which Lord Ganesh resides. Lord Ganesha is a god of beginnings who has an elephant head which makes him easy to identify. He is the son of Mata Parvati and Lord Shiva. According to the legends, Lord Ganesha was brought into life by Mata Parvati, she made a figure of a kid by using Haldi Shavings and gave it life. Later she instructed him to guard the door and he stops lord shiva from entering without knowing he was his son he beheads Lord Ganesha. Later he realizes and he replaces his head with the head of a young elephant and gains blessings from Lord Shiva that he will be worshipped before starting any kind of work. Lord Ganesha is worshipped that he will guide towards the right path, overcome the obstacles and gain the courage to overcome fear.

Hindu temples on the way towards Haji Malang Dargah -

Shiv Mandir –

Lord Shiva is popularly known as the destroyer within the Hindu trinity which includes Vishnu and Brahma. He is known as the supreme god who ends the time cycle and in return begins a new creation. Also, he is known to protect animals with love and compassion. Lord Shiva is worshipped by millions of people in India as he rewards the devotees with peace, happiness and prosperity in life.

Durga Devi Mandir –

Durga Devi is also one of the most widely worshipped goddesses in the Hindu religion. She is considered to be the goddess of strength, war and protection. Durga Devi is also called Shakti, meaning power/energy in the Hindi language. Durga Devi is worshipped with the greatest devotion for protection, safeguard and gain the power to deflect the negative forces of evil.

Wagheshwari Mata Mandir –

Wagheshwari Mata Mandir is dedicated to the Hindu goddess Bhagwati. Wagheshwari Mata is also believed to be the 4th incarnation of Goddess Saraswati. In Hindu mythology, Wagheshwari Mata is known as the eight-handed goddess and is one of the forms of Durga Devi. Wagheshwari Mata is worshipped for Shakti and Protection.

Sai Baba Mandir –

Sai Baba is also called Shirdi Sai Baba. Sai baba was a saint, fakir and an Indian spiritual master considered by his devotees. He was praised by both Hindu and Muslim devotees during and after his lifetime. He used to believe God is one and didn’t differentiate any specific religion. Sai Baba was believed that he was bestowed with unprecedented powers. Sai Baba is worshipped in multiple states of India to overcome the troubles.

Haji Malang Dargah is one of the few dargahs where a Hindu and a Muslim come together to fulfil the religious rituals. The "Trek towards Haji Malang Gad" is a combination of the religious and adventurous trek. This trek will give you a beautiful view from the top and the atmosphere around the mosque will make one feel safe and joyful.