Exploring the Forgotten 500-Year-Old Geban Shah Dargah of Bodeli, India

Greetings of the day,

Today, when I reached the 500 year old Dargah of Geban Shah through the narrow streets and quiet paths of Bodeli, it felt as if an old page of time had opened in front of me. The silence spread all around, the sweet smell of soil in the air and the soft laughter of children somewhere in the distance – all this together adds a different depth to the spiritual atmosphere of that place. There is a mix of new and old buildings around the Dargah, but still the history of this place, its antiquity and its spirit still feel alive.

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First of all, the eye goes to that dilapidated, old building which might once have been the pride of this place. The crumbling walls, tilted roofs and uprooted plaster reveal how much time has tested this structure. Yet the surprising thing is that there is an untold story hidden in this ruined house even today – a glimpse of the architecture of the Mughal era, the layers of bricks that might have been lovingly installed by an artisan centuries ago, still stand as proof of their age. This building is not just a pile of bricks and stones but is a witness to the old architecture and culture of this area.

The large plain spread just in front of it must have been alive and inhabited at one time. Today this ground appears quiet, but once upon a time, fairs would be held here, people would gather in the evening, children would play and elders would tell their stories. Even today some people come to sit here, walk slowly in the sunlight and experience peace in this openness. Seeing the wild plants growing on the edges of the field, scattered stones and dry soil, one understands that even though this place has lost its old bustle, the fragrance of history still resides in its soil.

The most amazing and mysterious sight of this entire Dargah is the huge tree which is said to be about 500 years old. Hearing this, a feeling of respect naturally arises in the mind – such an old tree, which must have been witness to so many people, so many prayers, so many sighs and so many seasons. Its spreading dense leaves, strong stem and structure of the roots show that this tree is not just a tree but the identity of this Dargah. It feels amazing to think that this nature which has become a fan of the Dargah has also somehow kept within itself the mercy of this place. Even when the Dargah was rebuilt, this tree was not cut down and this shows how much respect and love the people here have preserved its sanctity.

The other tree standing next to it also looks equally old. It is as if both the trees are the guardians of this Dargah – calm, stable and standing proudly even today, facing every storm of time. Standing beneath them, the touch of light gusts of wind on the face feels as if some invisible force is connecting us to this land, this history and this faith.

The building of the Dargah, whose new look is now in front of the people, shows a combination of simplicity and colors. The beautiful arches on the walls, the intricate carvings on them and the glimpses of small minarets, all clearly show traces of old Indo-Iranian art. Even though it is a completely new construction, somewhere within it the soul of the old Dargah is still felt.

As soon as you enter inside, a calm, fragrant atmosphere stabilizes the mind. It seems as if the outside heat, dust and noise disappear in an instant. The tomb kept inside is seen covered with layers of colorful sheets, shining metal railings, and people sitting nearby are seen bowing with reverence. Small children were also present there, who, while playing, sometimes got involved in this spiritual atmosphere. His innocent smile adds another color to the simplicity of this place.

The white marble board kept near the tomb and its small marks remind us that times change, but the glow of faith never fades. When people sit here and pray, it seems as if history and present are tied in a single thread and make this place alive.

While roaming around the Dargah, the mind gets stuck again and again on how this area must have once been open, vast and full of greenery. Today houses and settlements have surrounded it from all sides, but still this place stands firm on its identity. The old buildings nearby, broken roofs and faded walls show how many times this place has seen. Time may have ruined them but the historical heartbeat within them can still be felt.

When I was standing in the middle of the field, the sky above was completely clear. The blue sky, the mild sunshine and the shade of the trees standing amidst all this, felt as if this place still welcomes everyone who comes here to feel the history, find peace or just see the sacredness of this place.

This 500 year old Dargah located in Bodeli is not just a religious place but a it is precious confluence of culture, faith, history and nature. Every brick, every corner, every tree and every gust of wind here tells that no matter how much the world moves forward, some places remain silent carrying within them the story of hundreds of years.

Coming here today, I realized that no matter how much time passes, some places have the power to connect a person to his origin, his roots and his history. This Dargah of Geban Shah is also one of those places – peaceful, beautiful, sacred and full of those pages of history which after seeing the mind automatically becomes humble.