Shah Makhdum Ruposh Dargah
শাহ মখদুম রূপোশের দরগাহ
The city's most important Sufi shrine, beside the Padma River, where devotees come to pray year-round and which is a spiritual landmark of Rajshahi.
Shah Makhdum Ruposh was a Sufi saint who came to preach in northern Bengal in the 13th and 14th centuries. Legend says he defeated a local tyrant here and helped Islam take root in the Varendra region, and the city's airport and college are both named after him. The shrine stands on the bank of the Padma River. A white-domed tomb hall forms a complex with a mosque and courtyards. The tomb is covered with colorful embroidered cloth, and devotees offer flowers, burn incense and tie threads while making wishes. During the annual Urs memorial festival, large numbers of pilgrims gather here. Entry is free. Visitors must remove their shoes and cover their shoulders and knees, and women are advised to bring a headscarf. Some areas are restricted to men. It pairs well with the riverside walkway and the Varendra Research Museum for a half-day city tour.
Opening hours
Open all day (please keep quiet during services)
Nearby sights
- Varendra Research Museum
- Padma River Promenade
- Shaheed A.H.M. Qamaruzzaman Central Park & Zoo
- Rajshahi Silk (Sopura Silk Mills)
- University of Rajshahi Campus
- Puthia Temple Complex
- Bagha Mosque
- Kusumba Mosque