بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ
Shah-e-Mardan
شاہِ مَردَاں
The King of Men · Hazrat Ali ibn Abu Talib
Dargah · B.K. Dutt Colony, Jorbagh, New Delhi · Est. ~700 Years Ago
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یا علی
Ya Ali Madad
About the Shrine
The Karbala of Delhi —
700 Years of Devotion
Dargah Shah-e-Mardan stands as India's oldest and holiest Shia shrine, nestled in B.K. Dutt Colony (formerly Karbala Colony), Jorbagh, New Delhi. The dargah enshrines the sacred Qadam Shareef — the blessed footprint of Hazrat Ali ibn Abu Talib (عَلَيْهِ السَّلَام).
The legend tells of Hazrat Arif Shah, a Shia Muslim fleeing persecution, who cried out "Ya Ali Madad" at this very spot. A divine figure appeared, saving him — and left a sacred footprint on stone. The dargah was built upon this miracle.
In 1399 AD, the great conqueror Timur Lang made the world's first Tazia and buried it here, declaring the land"Karbala" — believed to be the first Karbala replica after the original in Iraq. Mughal Empress Qudsia Begum later secured and developed the enclosure, giving it its present glory.
~700
Years Old
1399
First Tazia AD
Lakhs
Annual Visitors
Words of Divine Wisdom
Wisdom of Maula Ali
أقوال الإمام علي عليه السلام
لَا فَقْرَ كَالْجَهْلِ
"There is no poverty like ignorance.
— Nahj al-Balagha
Inside the Complex
Sacred Structures
Nine remarkable buildings across seven centuries of Islamic architecture and Shia devotion.
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Men onlyQadam Shareef
قدم شریف
The sacred white marble stone housing the holy footprint of Hazrat Ali ibn Abu Talib. Placed in a hexagonal black marble basin that devotees fill with sweetened milk when wishes are granted.
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Women onlyBibi ka Rauza
بی بی کا روضہ
Dedicated to Bibi Fatima Zahra (SA). Houses her sacred chakki (flour grinder) wrapped in crimson red cloth embroidered with Quranic inscriptions.
OpenNaqqar Khana
نقار خانہ
Massive double-storied gateway commissioned by Sadiq Ali Khan in AD 1821. Topped with a miniature black onion dome — where royal musicians once announced dignitaries.
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OpenMajlis Khana
مجلس خانہ
Grand congregation hall (Imambargah) commissioned in AD 1808. Stained glass windows, gold-painted pillars, dark red & green carpets. Used for Ashura and Arba'een sermons.
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OpenQudsia Begum Mosque
مسجد قدسیہ بیگم
White mosque built by Empress Qudsia Begum, mother of Mughal Emperor Ahmad Shah. Three plump ribbed domes and beautiful floral plaster embossments.
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OpenKazmain
کاظمین
Subsidiary shrine featuring two miniature onion domes and a single minaret covered with vibrant blue tiles — a replica of the Kazmain shrine in Baghdad.
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OpenLal Masjid
لال مسجد
Small mosque with three bulbous red onion domes — interior painted glistening green and white. One of the most photographed structures in the complex.
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OpenKarbala Graveyard
کربلا قبرستان
Built during Shah Alam II's reign (AD 1759–1806). Contains 111+ graves including Qudsia Begum. Tazias from all over Delhi are buried here annually on Ashura.
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OpenDargah Arif Ali Shah
درگاہ عارف علی شاہ
Tomb of Hazrat Arif Ali Shah Saiyyid — the child saint at whose spot Maula Ali's footprint was discovered. He achieved sainthood and passed away at ~12 years old.
Sacred Calendar
Events & Gatherings
The dargah resonates with devotion throughout the year. These sacred events draw lakhs of pilgrims.
Ashura
عاشورا
The most sacred day in the Shia calendar. Massive processions from all over Delhi converge at Dargah Shah-e-Mardan. Tazias are buried at the Karbala ground. Lakhs of devotees attend sermons in the Majlis Khana.
Arba'een / Chhehlum
اربعین
The formal mourning on the 40th day after the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (AS). The second largest gathering at the dargah, with sermons and processions honoring the journey of the survivors of Karbala.
Urs — Arif Ali Shah
عرس عارف علی شاہ
Annual urs (death anniversary) of Hazrat Arif Ali Shah Saiyyid, the child saint upon whose miracle spot the entire complex is built. Devotees from across North India gather for prayers and fateha.
Monthly Ziyarat
ماہانہ زیارت
Regular monthly prayers and ziyarat held on the first Thursday of every month. A spiritually charged gathering for the local Shia community and devotees of Hazrat Ali.
Muharram Processions
محرم جلوس
Throughout Muharram, Tazias (replicas of the mausoleum of Imam Hussain) from all over Delhi are carried in processions and ceremonially buried at the Karbala Ground — a tradition dating back to Timur's first Tazia in 1399 AD.
Visual Journey
Inside the Sacred Complex
A glimpse through the hallowed gates of Dargah Shah-e-Mardan — where every stone speaks of devotion across seven centuries.
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The Sacred Enclosure
Majlis Khana Interior
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Naqqar Khana Gateway
Qudsia Begum Mosque
Kazmain Shrine
Karbala Graveyard
Witness the Sanctity
Feel the Divine Presence
Experience the spiritual atmosphere of Dargah Shah-e-Mardan through these glimpses of devotion and sacred beauty.
Shah-e-Mardan Dargah
Sacred Moments
Divine Atmosphere
زیارت مقبول
Plan Your Ziyarat
The shrine welcomes devotees every day from 6:00 AM to 11:30 PM. Nearest metro: Jorbagh Station (450m walk). Entry is free for all.