Alauddin Ali Ahmed Kaliyari

Piran Kaliyar is the dargah of
Sabir Kaliyari at Kaliyar village, near Haridwar. It is one of the most revered shrine for Muslims in India and is equally revered by Hindus and Muslims.

He was the South Asian Sufi Saint of Chishti Order in 13th century, a successor to Baba Fareed (1188–1280), and the first in the Sabiriya branch of Chishti Order.

Alauddin Sabir Kaliyari was born in Kohtwaal, a town in the district of Multan in 19 Rabi al-awwal, 592 Hijri (1196). He was the son of Jamila Khatun, who was the elder sister of Baba Fareed. After the death of his father, Syed Abul Rahim, his mother, brought him to Pakpattan in 1204 to Baba Fareed.

Baba Fareed's sister gave custody of Alauddin to him and asked him to take care of the boy, who later made him his disciple. Baba Fareed made him in charge of the langar. After a very long time Alauddin's mother came to see him and found him very weak. She was angry at her brother and demanded an explanation. Baba Fareed explained that he was made in charge of the kitchen and hence had no shortage of food. When Alauddin was asked he replied, "True, I was made in charge of the kitchen, but I was never told I can eat from it". When asked how he managed to remain alive, he revealed he went to the jungle in free time and ate whatever he found. He was then given the title Sabir.

He reached Kaliyar Sharif in 1253 AD, after being anointed as the protector of Kaliyar Sharif by Baba Fareed, who asked him to go Kaliyar, he stayed at Kaliyar for the rest of his life, and died here in 13th Rabi al-awwal 690 Hijri (1291).

Hazrat sabir was far recognize for his jalal. His studies were basically more spiritual and his main teacher was his peer, his uncle baba fareed.

The shrine of Kaliyar Sharif has a history dating back 800 years. Baba Sabir, as locals call him, was a Muslim saint and was known for his miracles. Everyday, there are hundreds of people visiting the shrine to seek the saint's blessing. The tomb was built by Qutbe Alam, another saint. The religious head of the shrine is Shah Mansoor Aijaz Sabri, a descendant of Qutbe Alam. During the Urs Festival, devotees come here in hordes to pray and to seek favour from the saint. The Urs takes place every year during May-June.

If you like listening to Sufi music, you can attend the Qawwali sessions organised in the afternoons and evenings. The Qawwali singers are noted for their high-pitched voice. They sing praises of the saint as well as Allah. As soon as the Qawwali session begins, the atmosphere begins to acquire its true colour.

A spiritual aura pervades all over. Devotees sit in circles around the singers to listen to them. Apart from devotees at the shrine, you will notice faqirs (meaning Muslim holy men) who have made the saint their ideal.