HYDERABAD: A mongst scores of hidden monuments, another stands tall in its granite grandeur — the Dargah of Hazrath Shah Raju Qattal Hussaini, a descendant of the famous Sufi from Gulbarga, Khwaja Banda Nawaz Gesudaraz. Located at Misrigunj, this shrine has a massive dome and monolithic rock columns that are about 25 feet high. It has been restored and well-maintained by the present caretaker, Nadeemullah Hussaini.
The saint was from Bijapur and came to Hyderabad with his uncle Hazrath Syed Shah Akber Muhammed Al Hussaini, another Sufi saint of great significance whose shrine is in Ghazibanda, near Fateh Darwaza of Golconda Fort. A 14-year-old Abul Hasan, who would later become the son-in-law of Sultan Abdullah Qutb Shah and a king himself, was found sweeping the floors of the khankah at the dargah of Hazrath Shah Raju Qattal.
A famous event that describes the foresight of the saint is recollected by many of his followers. As the shrine was frequented by Abdullah Qutb Shah, one day while he was exiting the dargah, Abul Hasan was entering and at this point, to everybody’s puzzlement, the saint prophecied, “A king exits and another enters.”
Abul Hasan, ruled Golconda for about 14 years, as many years as he stayed in the khankah and then later in exile— a period associated with 14 grains of a pomegranate that he ate when the saint offered him the fruit. “This unique monument was built by Sultan Abul Hasan ‘Tana Shah’ and stands as an unparalleled masterpiece in India,” said Nadeemullah. This place has also been added to the ‘Landmarks of the Deccan’ collection.
“This holy shrine is an important spiritual centre for those who seek peace of mind and serenity of heart. People from near and far come for spiritual satisfaction and guidance in their conduct. The annual religious ceremony (Urs) of Hazrath is held at this shrine from the 13th to the 16th of Safar (The second month of the lunar calendar) on a very grand scale and thousands of devotees attend the ceremonies,” Nadeem added.
The granite columns and roofs with symmetrical medallions depicting flowery patterns support the domed structure of the dargah. Each medallion has a different pattern.
“It is interesting to see how such structures exist amidst us, waiting to be explored. It is commendable how this dargah has been maintained and restored using the original materials,” said Anuradha Reddy, convenor of INTACH Telangana.