Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai mausoleum
Sights/Landmarks
Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai (1689-1752) was a great Sufi scholar and saint, and is considered as the greatest poet of the Sindhi language. He settled in the town of Bhit Shah in Sindh, Pakistan. His most famous written work is the Shah Jo Risalo, a treasure house of wisdom as well as romantic folklore and fine pottery. He also founded a musical tradition of his own which is still popular. Devotees sing with fervor and frenzy his love-intoxicated kafis (poetry) to the strains of yak-tara (single string instrument) mainly on the occasion of his urs held every year. His shrine is located in Bhitshah, 5km from Hala, and attracts hundreds of pilgrims every day.
The shrine of Bhittai, located in the centre of town, was built by Mian Ghulam Shah Kalhoro, who ruled over Sindh during the late 1700s. Kalhoro ordered the shrine to be built in 1772. It is a beautiful structure covered with traditional Iranian qashani tiles, glazed in the colours such as blue and turquoise. The final resting place of Shah Latif is under the main-dome of the building. His grave is enclosed by a carved wooden screen and lies under a beautifully painted fresco. Musicians are often seen serenading the constant trickle of devotees who visit the saint. On Thursdays' evenings, locals gather around to remember the Sufi saint, by reciting his poems and playing music. The Urs of Shah Latif is celebrated in the Islamic month of Safar.
History
Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai was a devout Muslim Sufi, but his spirituality was broad and welcoming, making room for Muslim and Hindu alike. He was born into a well-respected family, but turned away from the comforts of life revealing a natural ascetic tendency. He adopted the saffron-colored robes and simple lifestyle of the wandering Sufis and sanyasins of the region. In his quest for inner truth, still a young man, Shah Bhittai left his home and began to travel extensively, favoring small villages and the countryside, interacting with the common people and other Muslim and Hindu ascetics. He quickly developed a reputation for holiness and absorption in meditation. At this time disciples began to gather about him.
Shah Latif and his growing circle eventually moved to a place of retreat, a sand hill ("bhit") next to scenic Kiran Lake. For the last eight years of his life, Shah Latif lived at Bhit Shah. A few days before his death, he retired to his cave-shaped room and spent all his time in prayers and fasting, eating very little. When Shah Latif was nearing death, he didn't want his poetry to simply waste away so he had his writings thrown into the nearby lake. But, at the request of a disciple, Shah Latif allowed his poetry to be re-written down by another disciple who had memorized them.
Shah Latif was buried at the place where his mausoleum now stands constructed by the well-known mason, Idan from Sukkur. The mausoleum, as well as the mosque adjoining it, were later repaired and renovated by another ruler of Sindh, Mir Nasir Khan Talpur. A pair of kettle drums, that are beaten every morning and evening even till today by the fakirs, jogis and sanyasis, who frequent the mausoleum, were presented by then Raja of Jaisalmer. Shah Latif's relics are also preserved at the mausoleum including a "T"-shaped walking stick, two bowls, one made of sandal-wood and another of transparent stone, which he used for eating and drinking. His long cap and his black turban are also preserved.
The shrine of Bhittai, located in the centre of town, was built by Mian Ghulam Shah Kalhoro, who ruled over Sindh during the late 1700s. Kalhoro ordered the shrine to be built in 1772. It is a beautiful structure covered with traditional Iranian qashani tiles, glazed in the colours such as blue and turquoise. The final resting place of Shah Latif is under the main-dome of the building. His grave is enclosed by a carved wooden screen and lies under a beautifully painted fresco. Musicians are often seen serenading the constant trickle of devotees who visit the saint. On Thursdays' evenings, locals gather around to remember the Sufi saint, by reciting his poems and playing music. The Urs of Shah Latif is celebrated in the Islamic month of Safar.
History
Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai was a devout Muslim Sufi, but his spirituality was broad and welcoming, making room for Muslim and Hindu alike. He was born into a well-respected family, but turned away from the comforts of life revealing a natural ascetic tendency. He adopted the saffron-colored robes and simple lifestyle of the wandering Sufis and sanyasins of the region. In his quest for inner truth, still a young man, Shah Bhittai left his home and began to travel extensively, favoring small villages and the countryside, interacting with the common people and other Muslim and Hindu ascetics. He quickly developed a reputation for holiness and absorption in meditation. At this time disciples began to gather about him.
Shah Latif and his growing circle eventually moved to a place of retreat, a sand hill ("bhit") next to scenic Kiran Lake. For the last eight years of his life, Shah Latif lived at Bhit Shah. A few days before his death, he retired to his cave-shaped room and spent all his time in prayers and fasting, eating very little. When Shah Latif was nearing death, he didn't want his poetry to simply waste away so he had his writings thrown into the nearby lake. But, at the request of a disciple, Shah Latif allowed his poetry to be re-written down by another disciple who had memorized them.
Shah Latif was buried at the place where his mausoleum now stands constructed by the well-known mason, Idan from Sukkur. The mausoleum, as well as the mosque adjoining it, were later repaired and renovated by another ruler of Sindh, Mir Nasir Khan Talpur. A pair of kettle drums, that are beaten every morning and evening even till today by the fakirs, jogis and sanyasis, who frequent the mausoleum, were presented by then Raja of Jaisalmer. Shah Latif's relics are also preserved at the mausoleum including a "T"-shaped walking stick, two bowls, one made of sandal-wood and another of transparent stone, which he used for eating and drinking. His long cap and his black turban are also preserved.
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