A list of famous Muslim shrines in Uttar Pradesh, India
Agra
Agra has the distinction of being home to three World Heritage Sites: Agra Fort, Taj Mahal and Fatehpur Sikri.
Jama Masjid near Agra Fort railway station was built in about 1648 AD, by Jahanara begum, (near Agra fort) is of special importance due to assimilation of Persian architectural elements.
The Agra Fort in Agra has three mosques within its premises: Nagina masjid, Moti masjid and Meena masjid.
Moti Masjid at Agra Fort, Agra
Hazoor Syedna Ameer Abu-al-Ala’s mazar at Agra
Fatehpur Sikri
Sufi saint Salim Chishti’s dargah is at Fatehpur Sikri. The saint died in the year 1572 AD. The shrine was rebuilt in marble by Jahangir (1580-81). The portico of the tomb, its ornamental columns, serpentine brackets and latticed screens are superb.
Sufi saint Salim Chishti’s tomb at Fatehpur Sikri
Jama Masjid is the first, largest and highest building at Sikri. It is approached by Badshahi Darwaza in the east. The prayer chamber is splendidly painted. The southern gate – Buland Darwaza was built in the year 1575 AD.
Jama masjid at Fatehpur Sikri
Jaunpur
Atala masjid at Jaunpur represents the earliest and finest example of Sharquie architecture and conforms to the general plan of the orthodox mosque. Its construction started in the year 1377 but was completed only in 1408, during the rule of Ibrahim Sharquie.
Atala Masjid at Jaunpur
Jama masjid at Jaunpur is the biggest mosque of Jaunpur. It was built by Hussain Shah in 1458-78. The double storeyed vernada on the mosque exteriors was used by merchants.
Jama masjid at Jaunpur
Lal Darwaza Masjid Jaunpur (built around 1450 AD.) by Bibi Raji, queen of Mahmud Shah.
Jhansi
Jhansi has Jeevan Shah ki mazaar.
Kannauj
Kannauj has Rauza Balapir / Rauza Mehandi.
Kichhauchha Sharif
Kichhauchha Sharif: 92 km from Ayodhya is the dargah of Sufi saint Saiyad Makhdum Shah Jahangir Asharfi.
Lucknow
Asafi mosque in the Asafi Imambara premises at Lucknow
Bara imambara in Lucknow built by Nawab Asif Ud Daulah
Hussainabad Imambara
Shah Najaf Imambara
Deva Sharif: 25 km from Lucknow, 13 km from Barabanki, the small town of Dewa is famous pilgrim centre being the seat of universal brotherhood propagated by Haji Waris Ali Shah, who commanded mystical powers and is revered by members of all communities. His father Qurban Ali Shah too was a Sufi saint. The fine monument was built by devotees of Haji Waris Ali Shah in 1905. People from far and wide come to pay tribute round the year.
Fair: Urs in Oct-Nov for Qurban Ali. Urs in August for Haji Waris Ali Shah. The Urs fair features cultural, & sports events and a big cattle fair.
Garh Mukteshwar
Jama masjid at Garh Mukteshwar, an ancient mosque built in 1283AD by Ghayasuddin Balban.
Magahar
Kabir’s mazar/samadhi: Magahar is 78 km from Kausambhi. Kabir breathed his last here. His mazaar and samadhi stand side by side. A festival is held here on Makar Sankranti 14 January.
Mahoba
Mahoba: A shrine of Pir Mubarak Shah, a Muslim Sufi saint who came from Arabia in 1252 AD is near Maniya Dev temple, a tutelary deity of Chandelas near bank of Madan Sagar.
Mathura
Shahi Idgah mosque: Mathura. Built in 1661 by Abn Un Nabi khan.
Varanasi
Gyanvapi mosque was built by Aurangzeb near the present Vishwanath temple at Varanasi/Kashi.
Alamgir mosque at Varanasi is an amalgamation of Hindu-Muslim religious sentiments, is also known as ‘Beni Madhav ka Dharehara’. The entire lower portion of the mosque is retained as a Hindu temple.
Vindhyachal
Kantit Sharif in Vindhyachal is the dargah of Ismail Chishti, Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti’s nephew. Muslims unable to reach Ajmer, come here from all over UP, MP and Bihar. Fair, an Urs on 6,7 and 8th day of Muslim Rajab month.Hundreds of petromax lamps, bangles, jyotish, nan khatai, circus, etc.
Dargah Sharif: In Vindhyachal on the banks of the Ganga is the dargah of Sufi saint Baba Quasim Suleman, built in the Mughal style of architecture. There is a mosque in the premises.
Hazrat Baba Quasim Suleman’s tomb at Vindhyachal
NB: If you know of any other Muslim shrine that you think should be in this list, please send your suggestion to editor@anandway.com
