Last Updated:March 05, 2026, 13:22 IST

At Dewa Sharif Dargah, Muslims observing Ramadan and Hindus celebrating Holi honored Sufi saint Haji Waris Ali Shah, symbolizing unity and blending devotion and festivity.

Devotees played Holi with dry colours and flower petals only, respecting the sanctity of the shrine.

As the azaan marked prayer time and devotees prepared for another day of fasting, Gulal rose gently into the air at Dewa Sharif Dargah. What followed was not contradiction but coexistence. Muslims observing Ramadan stood shoulder to shoulder with Hindu devotees celebrating Holi at the shrine of 19th-century Sufi saint Haji Waris Ali Shah, transforming the courtyard into a quiet yet powerful statement of brotherhood in the heart of Barabanki.

On Wednesday, the historic shrine — long regarded as a symbol of syncretic culture — presented a rare and compelling image. While the holy month of Ramadan calls for restraint, prayer and reflection, the dargah’s expansive courtyard bloomed in shades of pink, saffron and red as rose petals mingled with gulal. The fragrance of flowers mixed with the rhythm of festive chants, creating an atmosphere that felt both celebratory and deeply spiritual.

Unlike the boisterous Holi scenes often associated with water balloons and loud music, the celebration at Dewa Sharif was marked by grace and symbolism. Devotees played Holi with dry colours and flower petals only, respecting the sanctity of the shrine.

Many Muslim participants, who were fasting, joined in briefly before returning to prayer, embodying the balance between devotion and shared cultural joy.

This year’s celebration carried additional significance. Organised under a newly formed Holi committee, the event symbolised generational continuity. Former committee president Shahzade Alam, who had earlier stepped aside and urged the youth to take responsibility for preserving the tradition, was present among the crowd. Smiling and visibly emotional, he joined young volunteers in applying gulal and exchanging greetings.

“This Holi is not about noise or show,” Alam said. “It is about preserving the message of Waris Pakh, a message of love, peace and unity. When people from different faiths gather here, it proves that harmony is not just a slogan but a living tradition.”

The shrine of Haji Waris Ali Shah has, for decades, drawn followers cutting across religious lines. The Sufi saint, known for preaching universal brotherhood and spiritual inclusivity, is revered not only by Muslims but also by Hindus who see him as a symbol of divine love beyond doctrinal boundaries. His teachings form the backbone of the unique Holi tradition observed at the dargah.

Devotees who travelled from neighbouring districts described the experience as unlike any other. Ajay Kumar Nigam, who had come to offer prayers at the mazar, said the celebration sends a powerful national message. “When you see Hindus and Muslims celebrating together inside a dargah during Ramadan, you realise this is the real strength of our country,” he said.

Pratap Jaiswal, another participant, said. “I have attended Holi here for years. The atmosphere is always peaceful. There is no difference of religion — only respect and affection.”

As colours drifted across the courtyard, elderly caretakers watched with quiet pride while children ran about laughing, their faces painted in bright hues. The scene reflected what many described as the essence of Uttar Pradesh’s Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb — a cultural fabric woven with shared customs and mutual participation in each other’s festivals.

Significantly, the overlap of Holi and Ramadan this year amplified the symbolism. While fasting demands discipline and introspection, participation in the festival demonstrated that religious observance need not exclude shared cultural experiences. Instead, at Dewa Sharif, it reinforced them.

The celebration concluded without incident, marked by embraces, collective prayers and renewed pledges to uphold the tradition. As dusk approached and fasting devotees prepared for iftar, the colours slowly settled — but the message lingered.

In a time when headlines often highlight division and incidents of growing intolerance, the scene at Dewa Sharif offered a contrasting narrative. Beneath the dome of a centuries-old shrine, faith did not clash with festivity. Instead, Ramadan and Holi coexisted, painting a portrait of unity that resonated far beyond Barabanki.

At Dewa Sharif, the colours of Holi were not just on faces and clothes — they were woven into a deeper idea: that coexistence is possible, and harmony, when nurtured, can flourish even in the most delicate of times.

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