Surkhej Roja - the Muslim Pilgrimage Place at Ahmedabad in India

There are many places for pilgrimage for Muslims in the State of Gujarat. Surkhej Roja is one such most famous Muslim shrine that is located in the city of Ahmedabad in Gujarat State in India. This shrine is situated at a distance of around 5 miles in the Southwest direction of Ahmedabad. This place was known as Surkhej Shreesthal during the Rajput kingdom on Gujarat. The Mogul King Mohammad Begda constructed this roja in the year 1452 in the memory of his guru Saint Sheikh Ahmed who died at the age of 111 years. He made this roja as his own grave during his life time only. He was buried here later in the year 1477 after his death.

The design of this building is very interesting as its architecture shows the combination of Hindu and Muslim both. The walls and graves are engraved with most beautiful designs. The grill of the windows is designed in such a way that the sunlight passing through these openings creates the most fabulous images. The King Mohammad Begda was coming here often and was relaxing at this most peaceful place. There is a small mosque just close to the grave. The mosque has an open area of 170 feet by 150 feet, where the Muslims were performing their daily namaj. The total area of this shrine is around 4300 square yards. There is also a most beautiful lake constructed here. It has an area of around 850 feet by 700 feet. The king also constructed a beautiful palace here to pass his days peacefully. There are many other palaces for the queens here at the bank of the lake. There are regular steps to get down in the lake for taking bath. Even there are few slopes provided for the people who cannot use the steps. There are three artistic under bridges made for the entry of water in the lake. These under bridges are so big that you can pass through them in a boat. The filter screens are also provided here so that the water entering can get thoroughly filtered. There is a nice sitting arrangement made at the center of this beautiful lake, which is resting on four pillars. This arrangement looks absolutely stunning even today. There is also an arrangement to drain the overflow water from the lake.

There is one very large original Kuran- E- Sharif available here at the shrine that is written by Saint Sheikh Ahmed Khattu Ganjbux with his own hands. This religious book of Muslims is considered rare in the world and many Muslims visit this holy place to have glimpses of this rare book. It is really a very pleasant experience to sit and relax at this lake in the evening. Many local residents visit this place to enjoy the most calm and peaceful atmosphere of this shrine. Many Muslims put the chaddar on the grave of King Mohammad Begda and pray for the fulfillment of their wishes. The urs is held here at the shrine, once every year. Thousands of Muslims visit this holy place at that time.

Ahmedabad is very well connected by road, train, and air services from all the major cities of India. You can visit this roja by hired car or taxi easily once you are in Ahmedabad. This entire establishment is under the archeological department, which is working directly under Government of India. All the maintenance and care of this place is taken by them. The Surkhej roja remains open for visiting all throughout the year. The government approved guide services are available here, which may be availed in order to get all the detailed historical information about this holy place. If you happen to take a luxury bus that takes you to all the sites seeing places of Ahmedabad, this Surkhej roja is covered in such guided tours. However, such guided tours allot only around half an hour to view such a vital and important historical and religious place. Hence, it would be better to visit this place on your own so that you can pass around couple of hours here peacefully.

I hope that this article would certainly encourage many of my AC friends to visit this most beautiful and the sacred place of Ahmedabad.