Luthra Sharif
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Luthra Sharif
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Where faith transcends religious distinction, fortifying a sense of sacredness...
Situated in Luthra, Baba Syed Insan Ali Shah's Dargah in Chhattisgarh, is one of the biggest pilgrim attractions. Devotees throng from far-off lands to seek the blessings of Baba Syed Insan Ali Shah every year. One of the most sacred shrines in India, the Luthra Sharif is another famous attraction in Bilaspur. Popularity: Poor are blessed with the gift of prosperity, diseased are relieved of their malaise, and the troubled find their strength once again at the feet of Luthra Baba. It is rightly believed that pilgrims, who bow their heads in front of Luthra Baba, never return helpless. Their prayers are answered and their aspirations are transformed into achievements.
People from different religions come here to fulfil their desires by participating in various rituals. At the Luthra Sharif, they present a new Chaadar (Gilaaf) and fresh rose petals. This is a representation of their faith and deep rooted belief that all their wishes and dreams will come true.
Historical Significance
The village of Luthra is located on the Bilaspur-Baloda roadway. Hazrat Baba Syed Insan Ali Aloha Rehmat Ullah was born in 1845, in a Muslim family. The name of his father was Syed Mardan Ali, Johar Ali was the name of his grandfather and Syed Haidar Ali Sahib was his great grandfather. Baba Insan Ali's mother was Begumjaan and his maternal grandfather was Tahir Ali Sahib. Tahir Ali Sahib was a very popular 'Malgujar' and his fame had spread in the entire of Luthra Sharif. An extremely religious and faithful man, Tahir Ali Sahib was completely devoted to his religion. He was one of those intensely devout great men who had completed the entire 'Hajj Yatra' on foot. Right from his childhood, Baba Syed Insan Ali Shah was influenced by his thinking. Tahir Ali Sahib shared a beautiful connection with his grandson and inspired Baba Syed Insan Ali Shah to become a great man. Luthra Sharif imbibed the values of his grandfather into his own life and changed the way the world saw him.
There is no record of when Hazrat Shah Baba Insan Ali Rehmat Ullah's ancestors came to Chhattisgarh. But it is so believed that the family's first troupe (Syed Haidar Ali) came from Delhi, reaching Bhopal. Via Bhopal they reached Surguja and then went to Ratanpur. Later on, they left Ratanpur and went to Bachoda village making it their destination for settlement. Some say that Baba Syed Insan Ali Shah's paternal grandfather Johar Ali Sahib lived with his entire family in Bilaspur. Some say that Baba Syed Insan Ali Shah's father Syed Mardan Ali Sahib, and he himself were both born here. It is noteworthy that Hazrat Shah Baba Insan Ali was married to Umed Be, the daughter of a landlord called Mohinuddin Sahib, from the Gotiya family of Khamriya Village. Therefore, he got a lot of land in Luthra Sharif and made it his place of work. It is said that Hazrat Shah Baba Insan Ali had a tumultuous family life. His wife gave birth to a daughter whose untimely demise haunted the two. The mother couldn't live with the sorrow of her daughter's death and passed away. Hazrat Shah Baba Insan Ali was completely shattered but did not give up hope. He was a very calm and quiet person, who locked away the sorrow inside his heart.
It is said that adversity builds true character and the same came true for Hazrat Shah Baba Insan Ali. During these difficult times, his life changed completely. Baba Syed Insan Ali Shah was a very different man who never cared about food, clothing or other luxuries of life. People would find his talks irrational and he would cut himself away from the world. Silence became his only companion and religion became his best friend. He would seek solitude atop a distant mountain, or during the stillness of the night. At times he would retire into the dense forest or meditate on the banks of a tranquil pond. The more time he spent in retrospection, the more learned he became. Finally, he attained wisdom and people began to call him a saint. During this phase, Baba Syed Insan Ali Shah was blessed by Baba Tajuddin of Nagpur. His visits to the Baba's Durbar in Nagpur increased. This was how Baba Syed Insan Ali Shah received 'Ruhaniyat Daulat' and his name was mentioned in most of the holy scriptures of Nagpur. He loved to speak in Chhattisgarhi and this was one of the main reasons for his popularity in Chhattisgarh.
Unfortunate and poor people from far-off lands would seek his blessings and return happily. Baba Syed Insan Ali Shah was an enlightened man who would free people of various problems. He had surprised many with his miracles and his stories amused people. Slowly his fame spread like wild fire. There is an unusual incident that took place. One day people were sitting together and eating food, when suddenly Baba Syed Insan Ali Shah started to chant “Oman Bach Gayin Re... Oman Bach Gayin”. The people sitting there got up instantly, but were shocked to see few people arriving in a jeep and falling down at Baba's feet.
It was only after much research that the folks found out the truth. It had so happened that a jeep was speeding on the roads and one of its tyres' burst, sending it crashing into a deep valley. At the same time, Baba appeared and caught the jeep, saving the people from dying a horrendous death. After the jeep stopped, the men got out to thank the great man who saved them, astonished to see he had vanished. Known for many such miracles, Baba Syed Insan Ali Shah, relieved people of their troubles and gave them a new life. But a man, who would live for hundred years, suddenly fell ill, making his devotees worried. On the fateful day of 28th September 1960, a mysterious smile was plastered on his lips. This lifted the spirits of his devotees, who thought that Hazrat Baba Syed Insan Ali was becoming better. But nobody knew that this was the radiant flickering of the flame before it finally burned out. Soon, the sun melted into the shadows and Hazrat Baba breathed his last. It seemed like all hope had disappeared from this world.
Even today, people flock to his Dargah and feel his gracious presence. Miracles still come alive as the desires of devotees are fulfilled. Luthra Sharif is famous for Hazrat Baba's Dargah and millions flock here to witness life-changing experiences. The unique feature of this Dargah is that devout from all religions can come here and seek the blessing of this great saint. Luthra Sharif is a famous Dargah of Chhattisgarh. For tourists it is a great attraction and the Bilaspur tour cannot be complete without visiting the Luthra Sharif Dargah.
Accommodation
PWD Rest Houses are available in Bilaspur. Forest Department Rest Houses and Hotels along with comfortable lodges are also available for staying.
How to reach
By Air
Raipur is the nearest airport well connected to Mumbai, Delhi, Nagpur, Bhubaneswar, Kolkata, Ranchi, Vishakhapatnam and Chennai.
By Rail
There are trains available from Bilaspur.
By Road
Tourists can travel via Bilaspur – Baloda roadway.
