dargah

Dargah refers to a shrine built over the grave of a revered Islamic saint or spiritual leader, typically within Sufi tradition. Although it is not a mosque, a dargah functions as a mausoleum and pilgrimage site where devotees seek blessings. The word derives from Persian, meaning threshold or sacred place. Dargahs are most common in the Indian subcontinent but occur in other regions of South Asia and beyond.

Pilgrims engage in rites such as reciting Qur'an, offering supplications, and performing dhikr. In many dargahs, devotional music such as qawwali accompanies gatherings, especially during Urs—the death anniversary of the saint. Visitors may donate food, money, or services and seek intercession or blessings for personal needs. Rituals and etiquette often include modest dress and, in many shrines, removal of shoes and separate spaces for men and women.

Architecturally, dargahs vary but commonly include a tomb chamber or cenotaph, a dome, ornamented screens (jali), courtyards, and sometimes an adjoining khanqah or shrine complex. The site may be administered by trustees or hereditary caretakers known as sajjadah nasheen, who oversee rites and charitable activities such as feeding the poor, education, and healing facilities.

Regional practice of dargahs reflects diverse Muslim traditions. In addition to South Asia, dargahs are present in parts of the Middle East, Central Asia, and Africa. While many Muslims view ziyarat to dargahs as an acceptable form of devotion and intercession, others regard it as extraneous to orthodox practice. Dargahs thus occupy a space in both religious and social life within the communities they serve.