MOSQUES & SHRINES IN BIHAR & UTTAR PRADESH

About 29 km away from patna is Maner, believed to be the earliest seat of Islam in Bihar. In the 13th century, Maner was home to the famous sufi saint Pir Hazrat Makhadun Yahiya Maneri. His tomb is known as the Chhoti Dargah. Bihar-sharif flourished as an important seat of Muslim culture during the 13th and 16th centuries. The tomb of a saint, Pir Makhadun Shah Shaarifuddin, attracts thousands of devotees. Bihar-sharif is 64 km from Patna. The Jama Masjid in the walled city of Fatehpur Sikri, in Uttar Pradesh, was built in 1572. One of the largest mosques in India, the Mosque has a vast congregational courtyard. In the northern part of the courtyard, is the relatively small but exquisite tomb of the sufi saint Sheikh Salim Chisti, Just as Emperor Akbar came to the saint four centuries ago seeking the saint,s blessing for a son, thousands of childless women make their way to the tomb even today. The intricate lattice screens among the most beautiful in the world have colourful threads tied around them by devotees asking for boons. To the left of the jama Masjid is the stone – cutter’s Mosque, the oldest place of worship in Fatehpur Sikri.