Barura Sharif Fair

The Barura Sharif Fair in Jharkhand is held on the eve of Chaitra Navami. It starts from the 1st of the month of Chaitra and lasts till the 10th of the month. The festival ends with the Fatiha Khwani (which is the holy recital of the Quran) on the 10th day of Chaitra.

A famous Sufi Saint had visited Jharkhand in the latter half of the 18th century. This eminent Saint named Data Aamir Ali Shah was highly revered by all because of the influence and impact he had on the mass by the virtue of his simplicity, love, purity, humanity and miracles.

I was lucky to visit Jharkhand and get a glimpse of the Barura Sharif Fair, a few years back. The shrine of the Saint is located at the Barura Sharif, on the banks of the Sat Bahini River, at Pratappur. The Saint had served humanity without looking into the creed, caste or religion of the people. Hence he is respected by everybody, irrespective of religion, caste and creed.

The shrine at Barura Sharif is located twelve kilometers from Pratappur and is a serene and picturesque site.

The shrine was constructed at a height of about ten feet from the bank of the river.

One has to cross a seasonal stream that passes through the shrine, in order to reach the holy site of Barura Sharif. These small rivers or streams are called Saat Bahini or seven sisters, locally. The annual fair of the Barura Sharif is held with gaiety, mirth and joy.

People from all over the region, irrespective of their religion, caste and creed, come to pay homage to the saint as he is highly revered by both Hindus and Muslims. Hundreds of devotees visit and seek blessings at his Mazaar. People, believed to suffer from evil spirits, visit the Barura Sharif to find remedies.