Hazrat Shah Paran (Bengali: শাহপরান, Shah Farhan) was a Sufi saint of the Suhrawardiyya and Jalalia order. It is said that he was the son of a sister of Shah Jalal and was born in Hadramaut, Yemen. He was an accomplice of his uncle, Shah Jalal, with whom he arrived in India. In 1303 AD, He took part in the expedition of Sylhet which was led by Shah Jalal. After the conquest of Sylhet he established a khanqah at Khadim Nagar in Dakshingarh Pargana, about 7 km away from Sylhet town, where he started Sufi spiritual practices and activities. He played a significant role in propagating Islam and establishing Muslim rule in the Sylhet region.
It is unclear how and when he died, but he is buried near his khanqah. For centuries, large numbers of devotees have been visiting his tomb, a practice which continues even today. On the 4th, 5th and 6th day of Rabi-ul-Awal, the Urs of Hazrat Shah Paran takes place. His grave is located in a high hillock and it is carefully preserved at a place which is built with bricks and surrounded by walls. On the northern side of the grave there is an old tree, the branches and branchlets of which are extended above the entire tomb.
The name of the tree is ‘Ashagachh’ (a tree of hopes). From a close observation of the leaves of the tree, it appears that the tree has grown out of a mixture of the fig, mango and some other tree. People eat the seeds of the figs devotionally in the hope of getting rid of diseases. Mangoes are also eaten with utmost respect as Tabaruk. There is an ancient mosque by the side of the tomb. The mosque has been modernized in 1989-91. About 1500 devout Muslims in a body can now say their prayers there.
Adjacent to the main tomb complex of Shah Paran, found in the East of Sylhet, is another tomb visited by worshipers, that of Konya Shah. Legend has it that this follower of the great saints was neither man nor woman. There is a permanent exhibition of the life and times of this saint. Contemporary paintings and pictures featured at the tomb/exhibition depict a person most likely to be a eunuch. Though the original conquerors earned a prominent role in Islamic history, main stream Islam shuns the idea of worshiping saints and eunuchs. A road bridge over the Surma River, a passenger ferry and a hall of residence at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology have all been named after Shah Paran.
Hazrat Shah Paran (the nephew of Hazrat Shah Jalal) was involved in preaching Islam in Sylhet. Shah Paran’s Mazaar (tomb) is located in periphery of Sylhet town, in Major Tila. He was a companion of his uncle, Shah Jalal, with whom he arrived in India. In 1303 AD, He took part in the expedition of Sylhet which was led by Shah Jalal. After the conquest of Sylhet he established a khanqah at Khadim Nagar in Dakshingarh Pargana, about 7 km away from Sylhet town, where he started Sufi spiritual practices and activities. He played a significant role in propagating Islam and establishing Muslim rule in the Sylhet region.
It is located 8 km from Sylhet Sadar City, Major Tila. You have to take CNG auto rickshaw or local bus to Major Tila from the main town, where that mazar is located.
Three type of transportation mode is available towards Sylhet from Dhaka. You can get in there by bus, train or air.
1. Greenline Paribahan
9/2, Outer Circular Road, Rajarbag, Dhaka-1217. (BDT 850 Volvo, BDT 1100 Scania)
2. Shyamoli Paribahan
Arambagh Counter, Dhaka. Phone-7102291, 0193626023
Sayedabad Counter, Dhaka. Phone-0171-8075541, 7511019, 7550071
3. Hanif Paribahan, Dhaka offices
Panthapath: 0173-402670
Arambagh: 01713-402671
Sayedabad: 01713-402673
4. S Al Saudia
Address: Humayun Rashid Chattar, Sylhet
Mobile: 01712920909
5. Shohah Paribahan
Address: Shobhani Ghat, Sylhet
Phone: 0821-722299
Fare: Taka 1100
You will find the above bus operators from Malibag Rail-gate, Razarbag or Sayedabad bus stand. These services are available from 6:30 am to 11:30 pm.
Bangladesh Biman, NovoAir, United Airways and Regent Airways are the four operators who fly from Dhaka to sylhet. The ticket price starts from 3000 taka & it goes up to 8000 taka per pax. There are more than 10 flights every day from morning to evening.
The planes leaving Dhaka for Sylhet are
1. United Airlines
Departure from Dhaka-5:35PM on Friday: 2:20PM
Departure from Sylhet-6:45PM on Friday-3:30PM
(Schedule varies time to time)
Fair-One way BDT 3825- 6325
2. Regent Airways.
Departure from Dhaka-4:40PM
Departure from Sylhet-5:45PM
(Schedule varies time to time)
Fair-One fair ranges from BDT 4800-5700
3. Bangladesh Biman. Price of tickets ranges from BDT 3500-9940 (Single flight per day)
There are four train services from Dhaka to sylhet. They are Joyontika, Parabat and Upoban depart at morning, noon and evening. There is a new train named Kalini depart at afternoon from Dhaka. It takes 7-8 hours to reach sylhet.The ticket price is around 295 for shovon-chair & it gets 679 taka for 1st class AC.
Train Schedules:
1. Kalini Express– departure time from Dhaka-4:00PM, arrival time at Sylhet-10:30PM.Off day: Friday
2. Parabat Express– departure time from Dhaka-6:40AM, arrival time at Sylhet-1:35PM
Departure time from Sylhet-3:00PM, arrival time at Dhaka-10:30PM. Off day: Tuesday
3. Upaban Express– departure time from Dhaka-9:50PM, arrival time at Sylhet-5:30AM
Departure time from Sylhet-10:00PM, arrival time at Dhaka-5:30AM.
Off day: Wednesday in Dhaka, no off days in Sylhet
4. Joyntika Express– departure time from Dhaka-12:00PM, arrival time at Sylhet-7:50PM
Departure time from Sylhet-08:20AM, arrival time at Dhaka-4:00PM.
Off day: None
Fair of all these ranges according to compartments usually BDT 75-1018.
There are a number of good quality hotels in Sylhet town. Most of those are at the Mazar road, Amberkhana, or in Zindabazar. A brief list of hotels is given below:
1. Hotel Eastern Gate & Panahar Restaurant.
2. Hotel Gulshan.
3. Hotel Dargah View.
4. Greenland Hotel & Restaurant.
5. Hotel City Link International.
6. Surma Valley Rest House.
7. Hotel Baharain Residential
8. Hotel Qureishi Residence.
9. Hotel Ajmeer.
10. Hotel Payra.
11. Hotel Supreme,
12. Hotel Palash,
13. Hotel Western,
14. Hotel Anurag,
15. Hotel Al-Amin,
16. Hotel Garden’s Inn,
17. Hotel Ferdous,
18. Hotel Panama,
19. Hotel Green,
20. Hotel Hilltown,
21. Hotel Rose View,
22. Hotel Star Pacific,
23. Hotel Tajmohal.
Good number of well decor and hygiene restaurants are available in the area.
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