Shrine of Hazrat Shahjalal (R) travel guide

At a glance

Arrival

1303 (traditional account)

Location

Dargah Gate, Sylhet city

Famous for

Jalali pigeons, gajar fish pond

Entry

Free

History and details

Hazrat Shahjalal (R) is said to be a Sufi saint who came from Yemen or Turkey. By the traditional account, in 1303 he defeated Sylhet's king Gour Gobinda with 360 followers and preached Islam in the region. Many of his followers settled in and around Sylhet, and their shrines are found in many places today.

The famous traveller Ibn Battuta recorded in his travelogue that he came to Sylhet in 1345–46 and met Shahjalal. The sword, wooden sandals and other items used by Shahjalal are said to be kept at the shrine.

The gajar fish in the shrine's pond and thousands of 'Jalali pigeons' in the courtyard catch visitors' eyes; locals consider them sacred and nobody catches them.

Things to do

• Visit the shrine in modest dress
• See the Jalali pigeons and the gajar fish pond
• Visit the nearby shrine of Shah Paran (R)

How to get to Shrine of Hazrat Shahjalal (R)

At Dargah Gate in Sylhet city.

Sylhet is about 240 km from Dhaka; the journey takes 5–6 hours.

• 🚌 By bus: Green Line, Ena, Hanif, Shyamoli from Sayedabad/Fakirapul; non-AC ৳650–750, AC ৳1,200–1,600.
• 🚆 By train: Parabat, Joyontika, Kalni, Upaban Express from Kamalapur; fare about ৳375–1,100.
• ✈️ By air: Biman, US-Bangla, Novoair; one way ৳3,500–6,000, 45 minutes.

Where to stay

• Rose View Hotel
• Nirvana Inn
• Grand Sylhet Hotel & Resort
• Mid-range hotels at Dargah Gate and Zindabazar (৳1,500–3,500)

What to eat

Meat with satkora, bhorta-rice at Panch Bhai/Panshi restaurants, tea

Good to know

• Dress modestly
• The shrine of Shah Paran (R) is nearby

More to see nearby

• Shrine of Shah Paran (R) (8 km)
• Keane Bridge and the Surma River (2 km)
• Ali Amjad's Clock (2 km)
• Malnicherra Tea Garden (5 km)

More places to visit in Sylhet district

• Ratargul Swamp Forest — The country's only freshwater swamp forest; boat among the trees in the monsoon.
• Jaflong — The Piyain River, stones and clear water below India's Meghalaya hills; Khasia punjis nearby.
• Bichanakandi — Clear water flowing down from the hills over a bed of stones; most beautiful in the monsoon and autumn.
• Lalakhal — A river of blue-green water and tea gardens; boat trips.
• Sada Pathor, Bholaganj — White stones and cold clear water from the hills at the mouth of the Dhalai River.
• Malnicherra Tea Garden — The subcontinent's first commercial tea garden (1854).
• Panthumai Waterfall — A big waterfall coming down from the Meghalaya hills, seen from the river.

Location on the map