Welcome to F.I.E.L.D.- the First Ismaili Electronic Library and Database.

02. Dargha, A'astana or Khanaqah?

There are many old graves near the cave, but not of Amir Pir. The old record reveals that the original word for the fair was Jhimpir Mela, then Amir Pir Mela, but the words dargha, a’astana or khanaqah were never attached to it. These three later terms are found in different plaques in Amir Pir, contradicting with one another. The word dargha means a place where one is enshrined, and a’astana refers to a particular spot where the saint had stayed, while khanaqah is a Sufic term for their cloister. It is a unique example of the contradictions as none of these terms suits to Amir Pir. One who visits the cave; he says that he came to pay salam to the dargha. Here the term salam refers to the fatiha, which is offered for the dead, not for the concealed one.


Back to top