Hazrath Saidani Bibi Sahiba, the only dargah dedicated to a woman saint in Dakshina Kannada has become a centre of communal harmony.
Located in the heart of the city, near A B Shetty circle in Mangalore, this Dargah is visited by people of all faiths. Most of the people who visit here, come with 'harake' (vows) as there is a strong belief that prayers come true here. "I have been visiting this Dargah since the past 25 years," says Sanjeevini (name changed) a retired lady head constable.
Many a times, I have vowed in this dargah that I shall offer 'Chadar' (A piece cloth) if my prayers come true.
I have never been disappointed. Recently my grand daughter was not keeping well and I had put a vow, for the betterment of her health. She is alright and hence I have come to offer Chadar, smiles Sanjeevini.Though this dargah has many believers, who offer prayers daily, it is strange that many do not know details about the saint they pray to. Most of them tell stories, they had heard from their elders but are not sure if they are true.
About Saidani Bibi
It is said that Hazrath Sayyadani Bibi was a saintly lady, hailing from a 'Fouji' (Soldier) family during the regime of Tippu Sulthan. After her death, she was buried in the Military area (the present location of dargah), even though there was a separate burial ground available at Karbala near Kudroli.
People say that she was buried in the military area due to high respect for her by the locals, especially the soldiers. Later, her close kith and kin were buried beside her.
Hence, there are three other tombs apart from the Sayyadani Bibi's tomb in the dargah.
Maintained by cops
The uniqueness about the Dargah is that it is maintained by retired or incumbent police officers.
Speaking to Deccan Herald, Hazrath Saidani Bibi Sahiba Dargah Management Committee President and Retired SP K S Ibrahim said that the dargah was frequently visited by the police staff and public. As it had many visitors, and the tomb was adjacent to the police headquarters, in 1972, the then DK SP K U Balakrishna Rau and then ASP H T Sangliyana handed the administration of the dargah to Muslim police personnel under the Presidentship of M A Shaffi Schamand who was the then Inspector of Mangalore Rural Circle.
A committee was formed, for the better administration of the dargah and in the year 1983 the old 'Mazahar' (tomb of the saint) was renovated.
The dargah was built in land belonging to the police department, but the property was handed over to the Wakf Board in 1982.
Beliefs
No one knows from when exactly the tomb of Saidani Bibi Sahiba Dargah is existing. However, many believe that it is dates back to centuries.
The dargah is frequently visited by women, who wish to have children and unmarried women who want to find a good life partner. Many people get their ill children here. It is said that if one makes a vow at the dargah it comes true.
It is said that people who had problems, used to sleep outside the dargah. They received peace of mind and got solutions of their problems through dreams.
Mango Tree
Earlier, the tomb of the saint was under a huge mango tree. It is said that when the cops tried to trim the tree to construct a parking lot, it started emitting a red pigment.
Hence, the tree was not cut down. Around 30 years ago, the tree fell down in a weird style. The tree made a lot of noise and slowly leaned to the ground as if it was sleeping.
It seems that there were many children playing in the area. However, no one was hurt and people said that it was a miracle.
In place of the old tree, a small mango sapling came up. Today this sapling has grown to become a huge tree.
Offerings
Many offer flowers, chadar, incense and silver items here after their vows are fulfilled. One of the most common practices is the toss of coins by the bus conductors, as they believe that the collection will be good if money is offered to Dargah.
The Dargah committee has constructed an offering box on the 'Dargah wall' on the side of the road, to avoid the toss of coins.