Khwaja Bande Nawaz Dargah, Gulbarga Overview

To witness a unique confluence of religious diversity, visit the Khwaja Bande Nawaz Dargah. This is the tomb of the famous Sufi mystic Khwaja Bande Nawaz. Home to a vast library composed of more than ten thousand books of Urdu, Arabic and Persian languages, this mausoleum is one of the most visited sites of Gulbarga. The Persian, Indo-Saracenic and Arabic influences on the building are evident from the dome and towers that surround the tomb. Even today, the Darga stands as a testament to the unity of various religions of the region. People believe that all wishes come true to earnest devotees who step foot in the mausoleum, regardless of religion. The neem tree built on the grave of the saint’s daughter is said to have healing powers too.

About Khwaja Bande Nawaz Dargah

Khwaja Bande Nawaz Dargah is a 600-year-old Dargah, best known as a pilgrimage centre. It is located in Gulbarga, Karnataka. The place is considered as a religious and spiritual centre where the tomb of Sufi Saint Syed Mohammed Gesu Daraz also known as Khwaja Bande Nawaz, stands. The Dargah is a famous pilgrimage centre and attracts many devotees across the country. The Dargah also stands as a witness of the history of Islam in southern India. A lot of devotees visit here to participate in Urs held in the Dargah and offer Namaz at the Dargah Sharief.

The Dargah is considered as a tomb of Khwaja Syed Mohammad Gesu Daraz, a Sufi Saint. It comprises of paintings on the walls of the monument. The pillars include carvings which are a fusion of Turkish and Iranian style of art. The Dargah consists of mosques, gateways and tombs and also a library. This library has a collection of around 10,000 books in different languages including Persian, Urdu and Arabic. The neem tree on the grave of the saint’s daughter is believed to have healing powers. The festival of Urs is celebrated for five days in the Dargah. This festival is celebrated on the mark of it being the death anniversary of Khwaja Syed Mohammad Gesu Daraz. Aiwane-Shahi building is located in the premises of the Dargah. This construction is believed to be the residence of the Nizams.

Construction of Khwaja Bande Nawaz Dargah

The Dargah is constructed in an Indo-Saracenic style of architecture. It comprises of walls and pillars which appear to be white in colour. The domes, arches and walls draw inspiration from the Bahamani, Turkish and Iranian style of Architecture. The Dargah was built in 14th century and has manuscripts and written materials of the period inscribed on walls.

History of Khwaja Bande Nawaz Dargah

The history of the Dargah can be traced back in the 14th century when it was constructed as a medium to give spiritual training to the people of Gulbarga. The Dargah was a religious center for people to inculcate and practice the values of Islam. It was a major step towards establishing the spiritual values of the religion in Southern India. When Khwaja Syed Mohammad Gesu Daraz arrived at Gulbarga, around the age of 76, he was engaged in religious discourses, sermons and spiritual training. He lived his last moments in Gulbarga after which his tomb was constructed in the Dargah.

Best time to visit the Dargah

The region of Gulbarga experiences extreme climatic conditions. The average weather is high during summers, ranging from 25 to 35 degrees Celsius, and cooler during winters, ranging from 20 to 25 degrees Celsius. Hence the best time to visit the Dargah is during the months of October to February.

How to Reach Khwaja Bande Nawaz Dargah

The Dargah is located in the city of Gulbarga in Karnataka. The city has high accessibility through railways as well as roadways. The nearest airport is in Hyderabad. The Dargah is located an hour away from the Gulbarga Railway Station. It is better accessible through private vehicles as well as public vehicles including cabs, buses and rickshaws.