Sufi shrines in India aren’t just religious places for a particular community but people visit them round the year who come from different social and geographical backgrounds, irrespective of creed and customs. There is a mystical charm that attracts the people who sit and listen to the Sufi singers. The famous shrine of Nizamuddin Auliya or Ajmer shrine where sufi songs like chhap tilak, kun faya, dama dam mast kalandar, Khwaja mere khwaja, etc. create such a binding aura that is hard to avoid. One such shrine is located in Fatehpur Sikri, the tomb of Salim Chishti.
My two days’ Agra trip finished after visiting the tomb of Salim Chishti at Fatehpur Sikri. From there, I came back to the main city and took a bus back to ISBT Kashmiri Gate Delhi and reached there the next early morning. The trip had been fun with lots of exploration and delicious food from Agra.
Read Here – Akbar’s Tomb Sikandra
History of the tomb of Salim Chishti – A shrine of famous Sufi saint
The Tomb of Salim Chishti is located in the courtyard of Jama masjid. It is a famous religious place for Muslims. The Shrine of Salim Chishti was built by Akbar. The emperor built it in the honor of Salim Chishti who was a famous saint of the Chishti order. The tomb of Sheikh Salim Chishti is said to be built from 1571 to 1580. The construction of the tomb started with the mosque itself. This white marble shrine is a fine example of Mughal architecture. On one side, the monuments in Fatehpur Sikri were generally built with a combination of red and buff sandstone, this shrine stands apart, being built with white marble.
A Sufi saint of Chishti order, Salim Chishti foretold and blessed Akbar with a son. Jahangir was born and Akbar named him Salim after Salim Chishti. One of Salim Chishti’s daughters served as Jahangir’s foster mother.
Architecture of Sheikh Salim Chishti Shrine
The burial place of Salim Chishti was built as a tribute to the Sufi saint. The tomb is based on a 1 meter high platform and 5 stairs lead to the portico. The building shines like ivory. Delicate marble walls with jali works cover the main tomb which is located in the center. An intricate mosaic work of yellow and black marble adorns the plinth of the shrine, put in geometrical designs. The entrance door bears the Quran inscriptions and arabesque patterns.
It is said that initially the tomb was constructed with red sandstone just like other monuments of Fatehpur Sikri but later, the monument was converted into the white marble.
People from all over the country come here to pray and seek blessings. There is a tradition where devotees tie a thread to the windows of the tomb to have their wishes fulfilled. One of the most common wishes people seek here is the blessings of childbirth.
