Dargah Makhdoom Shah Wilayat

About the dargah

Hazrat Wajihuddin Yusuf was born in 1260 at Kalkahari, near Delhi, and spent his early years there. As a young man he went to Delhi and became a disciple of Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya. During the reign of Alauddin Khilji, Hazrat Nizamuddin sent him to Chanderi to look after and serve the people there. He reached Chanderi in 1305 and soon drew thousands of devotees, from the town and from further afield, who began to frequent his khanqah.

Malik Tamar, the then Governor of the province, grew envious of his popularity and instigated his army to attack the khanqah and the devotees. The situation became so volatile that Hazrat Wajihuddin was advised to move to nearby Lukhnoti. He travelled to Delhi to seek guidance from Hazrat Nizamuddin and came away understanding that he had been given the responsibility of serving the people of Chanderi and had to fulfil it. He returned, built a new khanqah, and continued his service until his passing in 1328.

At the dargah

The tomb and the graves around it

The dargah is built near the Rajghat road, and around the tomb are the tombstones of his most dedicated followers. The faithful still come to pay their respects and seek his blessings, so this is a living shrine rather than a monument.

The two adjacent mausoleums

To the left of the dargah stand the mausoleums of two other Muslim saints. The decorative jaali work and carving on their walls is as lavish as that on the Nizamuddin tombs, but the structures are crumbling and in desperate need of restoration and recognition.

The annual celebration

Every year from 27 to 29 March a celebration is organised at the dargah. Devotees arrive to offer chaadars and pray for the fulfilment of their wishes, and the shrine is at its busiest and most alive during these three days.

Planning your visit

The dargah is near the Rajghat road and is an active place of worship. The adjoining mausoleums are fragile, so tread carefully there.

• Dress modestly and cover your head where expected.
• Remove footwear before entering the shrine.
• Expect large crowds between 27 and 29 March.
• Do not climb on the crumbling mausoleums to the left.

Best time to visit

The three days from 27 to 29 March are the time to come if you want to see the dargah at its fullest, with devotees arriving to offer chaadars. For a quieter visit, the cooler months from October to February are easier, and mornings are the calmest part of the day.