Dargah of Waris Ali Shah in Deva Sharif

Deva Sharif : Haji Waris Ali Shah was born in early nineteenth century in Deva in a family of Hussaini Syeds. His genealogy traces origin from Hazrat Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad and martyr of Karbala, through 26 linkages in between. Some researchers have concluded his date of birth in the year 1809 A.D. His parents died when he was three years old and he was brought up by his grandmother. He was sent to maktab (preparatory school) at the age of five, where he learned Quran by heart.

He did not feed on his mother’s milk during daytime as an infant; neither did he take it on 10th of Moharram, the Yaum-e-Aashurah (the day Imam Husain, his relatives and friends were killed in Karbala, now in Iraq).

He seldom read his books but to the amazement of his tutor he could say his lessons correctly. He preferred solitude to books and often slipped away out of doors to spend long periods in retirement and contemplation. He was never seen playing with children of his age and took pleasure in giving them sweets and distributing money among the poor. It soon became evident to those around him that he was not quite of the earth.

Deva Sharif is a religious place which enshrines the tomb of Syed Haji Waris Ali Shah or Syed Waris Ali Shah in Barabanki. It is located 25 km from Lucknow. During the months of October and November the Deva Mela is held which attracts thousands of devotees.