Pir Mangho

Sheikh Hafiz Haji Hasan-al-Maroof Sultan Manghopir or Pir Mangho (Sindhi and Urdu: خواجہ حسن سخی سلطان عرف منگھو پیر ) is the popular name for Sufi Pir Haji Syed Khawaja Hassan Sakhi Sultan. Sakhi Sultan Manghopir's proper name is Hasan and according to another version Kamaluddin. He was titled a pir by Baba Farid, whose disciple he became. Pir Mangho Urs is celebrated in the Islamic month of Zil Hijjah. The settlement around his shrine has been named Manghopir and is part of Gadap Town in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan.[1][2] Balochs often call this place as 'Mangi' or Garm-aap / Sard-aap (due to the presence of the hot & cold springs).

Manghopir
Location of Manghopir Lake in Karachi
Gravemarkerts of the Sufi saint, Pir Mangho.
Pir Mangho shrine is known for its crocodiles.
The shrine contains a large mosque.
Shrine building

Background

Originally, he was an Arab and a descendant of Ali ibn Abi Talib. He is a Hassani (descendants of Hasan ibn Ali) from the mother's side and Husaini (descendant of Hussain ibn Ali from father's side. He came to India from Hijaz in the 13th century AD. That was the time of the Tartar's invasion of Muslim lands which created great havoc. He participated in the jihad against them. Then he performed the Hajj, and while he was in Medina, he had a vision of Muhammad who directed him to go to Ajudhan (present day Pak Patan) and meet Fariduddin Ganjshakar. He then went, to Ajudhan and presented himself to Sheikh Ganj Shakher. In 662 AH (1263 or 1264 AD) he was admitted as a disciple in the Chistiah order, and he became the 40th Khalifah/Caliph of Baba Farid Ganjshakar. Based on the advice of Baba Farid Saheb he went to Multan in 659 AH (1260 or 1261 AD). From there he travelled to various places in the pursuit of spiritual attainment and then settled down in Manghopir where he carried out his missionary work.

Manghopir was a desolate place then; there he spent his days in prayer and seeking spiritual attainments. In ancient times this place is reported to have been the sacred place of the Hindus. With the presence of this saint at Manghopir, it became an attraction for the seekers of Oneness and Truth. Great luminaries of the spiritual world, such as Bahauddin Zakariya, Lal Shahbaz Qalander, Jalaluddin Bokhari often visited Manghopir.

Crocodiles

The crocodiles are an integral part of the shrine and are so tightly interwoven with the story of the saint that it is almost impossible to judge between fact & fiction. There are many traditions about myth of crocodiles, as if it is believed that Baba Farid gave the reptiles to Manghopir. According to scientific explanations, these crocodiles were carried through some heavy floods, during ancient times and later gathered or collected at this pond. Archaeological investigations have also suggested the existence of a Bronze Age settlement (2500-1700 BC) near Manghopir, who worshipped crocodiles and before the advent of Islam crocodiles were also thought sacred for Hindus.


Hot springs and healing resort

There are hot and cold springs about a kilometer from the shrine. Warm water passing through the sulphur rocks is said to have some medicinal qualities. Many people with skin diseases regularly come from long distances to have a bath to cure them. There are separate swimming pools and shower rooms for men and women. Scientific analysis has shown that this warm water is naturally saturated with carbon dioxide, besides containing some sulphur.

Pir Mangho Urs

Pir Mangho Urs (Urdu: عرس پیر منگھو‎) is an annual festival (urs) at the shrine of Sufi Pir Mangho at Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan. The urs marks the death anniversary of Pir Mangho and is held annually in the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah. The Urs entirely separate from the more widely known Sheedi Mela that is also held at the Manghopir shrine.

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See also

References
  1. Asghar Ahmed، ”Pakistan tourism directory, '86: everything about tourism“, Published: Holiday Weekly, 1986
  2. Pakistan Archaeologists Forum, ”Journal of Pakistan Archaeologists Forum, Volume 1“, p.37, published: Pakistan Archaeologists Forum the University of Michigan 1992
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