Hyderabad: Tucked away in the narrow lanes of Old City, a small dargah quietly carries forward a tradition that reflects the city’s composite soul. As it prepares to celebrate Vasant Panchami for the 10th consecutive year, the Hazrath Shaikh Ji Hali Abuh Ulairh Dargah at Patherghatti stands out as the only shrine in the city where the Hindu spring festival is observed, an enduring symbol of Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb.The annual celebration, rooted in Sufi history, has grown into a rare interfaith event, drawing participation from both Hindu and Muslim communities. Vasant Panchami, which marks the onset of spring, is observed on Magha Shukla Panchami and usually falls in Jan or Feb.“It began a decade ago after we traced historical links to the Qutb Shahi period, when Vasant Panchami was observed at shrines and royal courts across the Deccan,” said Muzaffar Ali Soofi Chisti, Sajjada Nasheen and Muttawali (custodian and convenor) of the dargah. “The idea was to revive a practice that once existed here and reflect Hyderabad’s shared cultural legacy. This dargah has always welcomed people of all faiths, and Vasant Panchami fits naturally into that ethos,” he added.While the festival is widely associated with Saraswati puja, it also holds a long-standing place in Sufi traditions, particularly among followers of the Chishti order. The tradition of Sufi Basant dates back to the 12th century at the dargah of Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya in Delhi and is believed to have been introduced by his disciple, the renowned poet and musician Amir Khusrau.“According to tradition, Khusrau tried to lift his spiritual guide out of mourning after the death of his nephew,” said Anuradha Reddy of INTACH Hyderabad. “Inspired by women celebrating spring in yellow, Khusrau dressed in the same colour, carried mustard flowers and sang songs of spring for his Pir, a gesture that marked the end of Nizamuddin Auliya’s mourning and led to the annual observance of Sufi Basant.”On Vasant Panchami, the Patherghatti dargah is decked in yellow and marigold flowers. A Sufi mehfil followed by a qawwali night is held in the evening, with devotees and visitors dressed in yellow in keeping with tradition.Regular attendees say the celebration offers a rare glimpse into Hyderabad’s syncretic past. “You rarely see festivals crossing religious spaces like this anymore,” said Mohd Masood, a regular visitor. “There are no religious rituals here—it is about welcoming spring through music, colour and shared culture. This dargah has kept that spirit alive.”
