Dewa Sharief

Dewa Sharief : Haji Waris Ali Shah was born in early nineteenth century in Dewa in a family of Hussaini Syeds. His genealogy traces origin from Hazrat Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad and martyr of Karbala, through 26 linkages in between. Some researchers have concluded his date of birth in the year 1809 A.D. His parents died when he was three years old and he was brought up by his grandmother. He was sent to maktab (preparatory school) at the age of five, where he learnt Quran by heart. Like all holy men, his biography has been embellished to look more holy than human.


He did not feed on his mother’s milk during daytime as an infant; neither did he take it on 10th of Moharram, the Yaum-e-Aashurah (the day Imam Husain, his relatives and friends were killed in Karbala, now in Iraq).
He seldom read his books but to the amazement of his tutor he could say his lessons correctly. He preferred solitude to books and often slipped away out of doors to spend long periods in retirement and contemplation. He was never seen playing with children of his age and took pleasure in giving them sweets and distributing money among the poor. It soon became evident to those around him that he was not quite of the earth.
When he was 11 years old, he pledged allegiance to his mentor and brother-in-law, Hazrat Khadim Ali Shah who made him his spiritual heir. At he age of fifteen he undertook a long journey of 12 years that took him to Saudi Arab (it wasn’t exactly ‘Saudi’ at that time but oh well), Turkey, Syria, Iraq, Rome, France, Belgium, Germany, and Russia. He traveled on foot and performed Hajj 10 times during the course of his journey. He also met Sultan Abdul Majid, the Ottoman ruler, while visiting Constantinople and was the guest of Prince Bismarck in Berlin. His followers claim that he was the first Sufi to actually visit Europe.


After returning from his sojourn, he resided in Dewa and preached the message of love till his death in 1905. Even today he continues to inspire millions of devotees who flock to his shrine every year. On any given day one would find as many Hindus and Sikhs if not more as Muslims visiting his shrine and seeking blessings. There is a majestic mosque and a Khaankaah (place for spritual salvation) near his shrine as well as shops selling souveneirs and sweets.

Dewa Sharief is a religious place which enshrines the tomb of Syed Haji Waris Ali Shah or Syed Waris Ali Shah in Barabanki. It is located 25 km from Lucknow. During the months of October and November the Deva Mela is held which attracts thousands of devotees. 

Waris kaa ko’ii waaris nahiiN
Waris Pia(ra) in his life visited Sarkar Shah Fazle Rehamn Gunjmurdabadi(ra) many times. 

He used to always say "Waris Ka koi Waris nahi".

Once when he visited Sarkar Shah Fazle Rehamn Gunjmurdabadi(ra) Shah Fazle Rehamn Gunjmurdabadi(ra) was having two sons
1) Shah Ahmed Miya Sahab (ra) and the second one was
2) Saidu Baba (ra) who was a mazoob by birth.( Mazoob are those who are directly connected to Allah.) Shah Fazle Rehamn Gunjmurdabadi (ra) use to always tell every one not to disturb Saidu Baba (ra) in anyways if any thing went wrong i am not responsible.


So when Waris Pia (ra) visited Shah Fazle Rehamn Gunjmurdabadi (ra) at that time the age of Saidu Baba(ra) was only 12 years he use to always sit outside the gate at the entrance of the masjid leading to the khanka of Shah Fazle Rehamn Gunjmurdabadi (ra). So when Waris Pia(ra) came to Gunjmuradabad sharif as he was entering the masjid he saw Saidu Baba (ra) sitting at the enterance so for respect he offeres salam to him on which saidu baba asked Waris Pia (ra) who are you on which Waris Pia(ra) I am Waris on hearing this Sadu Baba (ra) replied Allah Waris. After hearing this Waris Pia (ra) entered the masjid to meet Shah Fazle Rehman Gunjmurdabadi (ra). When they both meet Waris pia asked Shah Fazle Rehamn Gunjmurdabadi(ra) arey chachajan who ladka kaun hai jo bahar baitha hai on which Shah Fazle Rehamn Gunjmurdabadi (ra) replied arey us ne tujhse kuch keh to nahi diya on which waris pia (ra) narrated the whole story that happened outside. Shah Fazle Rehamn Gunjmurdabadi (ra) after hearing the whole thing told waris pia ki tum bahut nasib wale ho ki us bache ne tum se kaha ki Allah Waris agar wo kehdeta ki Tu kya waris Allah Waris to tum ne jo bhi aj tak paya ta ibadat karke sab khatam hojata. and from that day waris pia stoped saying Waris ka koi Waris nahi .

Sarkar Shah Fazle Rehamn Gunjmurdabadi (ra) has never been to Deva sharif instead Waris Pia (ra) use to come to him and use to call him chachajan.

The Family Connection
Apart from Faridan bibi, our family has had other connections with Haji saahab as well. Masih Uddin Ahmad, one of the London educated Bar-at-Law cousins of my great grandfather became ‘westernized’ in his outlook on his return from vilaayat. At my ancestral home in Ahmadpur he joked about Haji saahab and his mytical powers and then went to sleep. In the night he awoke shouting and told others that he saw Haji saahab standing next to his bed threatening to turn it over. At dawn the horse-cart was prepared and Masih Uddin Ahmad went to Dewa to become a disciple of Haji saahab. He willed to be buried at the footsteps of the shrine of Haji saahab and his grave is on the left side of the entrance to the shrine.






One of my aunts was married in a village near Dewa called Kheoli. All her in-laws are disciples of Haji saahab and he used to visit their home at Kheoli. My aunt tells me this story whenever I visit her home that during rainy days when Haji saahab came down to visit, he would walk on the wet ground and his feet never gathered mud.


Dewa Mela
It is one of the most popular and big gatherings in the city of Barabanki each year. Even though the Urs of Haji saahab is commemorated on 1st Safar every year, Dewa mela is organized at a fixed time period from 8th to 18th October of each year. The management of Dewa mela is handled by a trust whose chairman and secretary are the current District Magistrate and SDM of Barabanki respectively. The first chaadar on the shrine is always from the District Magistrate to kick start the mela. The mushaira and kavi sammelan organized during the Dewa mela have still maintained the standard and are one of the sought after events in the area. Some of the biggest poets have recited their verses at the Dewa mela. It also houses one of the biggest baazaars and villagers from far and near come for shopping goods and for an evening of entertainment.

In The End
Every marriage and each arrival of a newborn in our family is followed by a mandatory visiti to Dewa Sharif. However beliefs have certainly dulled in my generation and people now go there as a mark of respect to elders and traditions than anything else. My father tells me that when he took me to Dewa Sharif as a kid of a few months, my lips were trying to kiss the grave of Haji saahab. He can’t understand as an adult why I won’t do the things others have done before me. He can’t understand why I would not bow before the grave. He is however hopeful that the immense love my tender heart felt for Haji saahab as a kid would overcome all hurdles my beliefs poses today and one day and I will visit Dewa as a devotee and not a visitor. He is still waiting.

Karim shah baba dargah is in Deva sharif he was disciple of Waris Pak and his mazaar is similar to waris pak but jst a little smaller in height