Display of Communal Harmony at Haji Malang Urus

"Haji Malang Dargah" is known to be a 300-year-old dargah in Maharashtra, located on a fort called Malanggad. The Malanggad fort is situated near Kalyan Railway Station which is above 789m of sea level and popular for the trek towards the top of the mountain. The Haji Malang Dargah is located on the first level of the mountain. Malanggad Fort has been divided into 3 levels that is "Pir Machi", "Sone Machi" and "Balekilla".

Haji Malang Dargah is the holy shrine of Haji Abdur Rehman Malang Baba. The holy shrine was built by the devotees on the Malanggad fort. From the time it was built till today the Dargah is managed by the people from Hindu and Muslim community. This is one of the few shrines where a Muslim Mutavalli(a family member of the saint) and Hindu Vahivatdar(a priest from the family of Hindu Vahivatdar) have found working together to run the religious rituals in harmony. 

During the "war in 1780 between the British East India Company and the Marathas" for the Malanggad fort, the Hindu Pandurang Katekar along with his family and neighbours fought bravely against British Army to push them back from conquering the Fort. While the war was raging there were two Gardi musketeers Abu Sheikh Jamadar and Aziz Khan Jamadar from the Muslim community who responded to the British attacks. The Hindu and Muslim communities on the Malanggad fort have been seen living in harmony from the old days.

Later with the help of Nana Phadnavis, the Marathas pushed back the British Army, in 1780 British army decided and left the fort to the Marathas.

Haji Malang Dargah’s Urus Festival

Several hundreds of faithful were part of the religious festivities at Haji Malang Dargah, as the 1-month Urus festival got off to a fervent and colourful start every February. This festival is celebrated on the occasion of Haji Malang Baba’s annual death ceremony. The rituals, which begins with the Baba’s Palki (Procession) where the followers of Haji Malang Baba carry the wagon and forms the Juloos. Baba’s Palki is beautifully decorated with chadars and flowers. The followers of Haji Malang Baba consist of people from multiple religion like Hindu and Muslim communities, they come together and covers the route of the entire fort. The route of the Palki begins at the midnight covers the Malanggad fort in the nighttime and returns till the morning.

During the "Urus festival" entire Malanggad fort is decorated with beautiful lights. The kids on the mountain burns firecrackers during the ceremony which lightens up the mountain in the nighttime. The display of the Firecrackers is delightful to watch. The locals and the followers of the Baba visiting the Dargah for the festival stays awake to enjoy the view of the Dargah which is decorated for the festival, to enjoy the view of the firecrackers burnt by the kids in the night and to participate in the religious harmony atmosphere. In the nighttime, Qawwalis are being sung by the people from the Muslim community whereas as Hindu community people gather around and perform aarti during the Palki.

Haji Malang Dargah is one among the few dargahs in the country where several people from different communities come together to pray the "Haji Malang Baba" and to celebrate the Urus festival. It is considered to be the symbol of communal harmony as the people from multiple belief visits the dargah and pay their respect.

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.