Shrine of Baba Farid بابا فرید درگاہ |
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The shrine of Baba Farid is one of Pakistan's most important Sufi shrines
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Shown within Punjab, Pakistan
Shown within Punjab, Pakistan
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Basic information | |
Location | Pakpattan |
Geographic coordinates | 30°20′28″N 73°23′15″E / 30.34111°N 73.38750°ECoordinates: 30°20′28″N 73°23′15″E / 30.34111°N 73.38750°E |
Affiliation | Islam |
District | Pakpattan |
Province | Punjab |
Country | Pakistan |
Year consecrated | 1265 |
Website | http://www.ganjshakkar.com/ |
Architectural type | Mosque and Sufi mausoleum |
The Shrine of Baba Farid (Punjabi and Urdu: بابا فرید درگاہ) is a 13th century Sufi shrine located in Pakpattan, Pakistan, that is dedicated to the Sufi mystic Fariduddin Ganjshakar, popularly known as Baba Farid. The shrine is one of the most important in Pakistan, and was among the first Islamic holy sites in South Asia – providing the region's Muslims a local focus for devotion. The shrine is also revered by Sikhs, who include Baba Farid's poetry into the Guru Granth Sahib, regarded by Sikhs to be the eternal Guru.
The shrine played a central role in the conversion of local tribes to Islam over the course of several centuries. Chiefs of the highly-revered shrine once controlled a politically autonomous state that was defended by soldiers drawn from local clans that pledged loyalty to the shrine and descendants of Baba Farid. Today the shrine is considered to be the most significant in Punjab, and attracts up to two million visitors to its annual urs festival.
The shrine is located in the town of Pakpattan, in the Pakistani province of Punjab, near the right bank of the Sutlej River.
Turkish settlers had arrived in the region around Pakpattan in the 13th century a result of pressures from the expanding Mongol Empire, and so the city already had a Muslim community with its own mosque by the time of Baba Farid's arrival. Baba Farid established a Jama Khana, or convent, in what was then known as Ajodhan that attracted large masses of devotees who would gather at the convent daily in hopes of securing ta'widh, or written blessings and amulets. Devotees would in turn offer a futuh, or gift to the shrine in return.