A 400-year-old Muslim shrine near Agartala, Gaji Babar Mazar, continues to symbolize communal harmony as Hindus and Muslims pray together. The historic dargah prepares for its annual festival, drawing thousands of devotees.
A nearly four-century-old Muslim shrine on the outskirts of Agartala continues to stand as a powerful symbol of communal harmony, faith, and shared heritage, drawing devotees across religious boundaries and reaffirming the region’s long-standing tradition of peaceful coexistence.
Located at Jaypur village in the Ramnagar area, the shrine—popularly known as Gaji Babar Mazar—was established in the Bengali year 1018, placing its origin close to 400 years ago. Over generations, the dargah has evolved into a sacred space where Hindus and Muslims pray side by side, united by a shared belief in spiritual guidance and human values beyond religious divisions.
Throughout the year, the shrine witnesses a steady flow of visitors who come seeking blessings, peace, and solace. Devotees believe that the spiritual power of the place transcends formal religious identities, making it one of the most enduring examples of grassroots communal harmony in Tripura.
Subal Das, a practising Hindu and president of the shrine’s managing committee, said the essence of the dargah lies in its inclusive spirit. “God may be worshipped in different names and forms, but humanity remains the strongest bond among people,” he said. “This shrine has always been a place where religious boundaries disappear and people pray together for collective wellbeing.”
The annual religious festival and fair of Gaji Babar Mazar is set to begin on December 16 and will continue until December 19. The four-day event is expected to attract thousands of devotees from various parts of the state. This year, the celebrations will also include cultural programmes aimed at strengthening social unity and preserving local traditions.
According to the managing committee, Agartala Municipal Corporation Mayor and local MLA Dipak Majumder has given his consent to inaugurate the festival. As per long-standing tradition, khichudi will be served to devotees during the event. Special care is taken to respect religious customs, with separate arrangements made for Hindus and Muslims in accordance with their dietary practices.
“We expect even greater public participation this year,” Das said, adding that the festival has grown significantly over the past decade due to increasing community involvement.
Committee members noted that while the shrine has existed for centuries, organized efforts to expand and formalize the annual festival began around ten years ago. Despite limited institutional support in earlier years, public enthusiasm has never waned.
“The strength of this shrine has always come from the people,” Das said. “Their faith, voluntary service, and contributions have sustained the festival year after year.”
Secretary of the managing committee Kamal Hossain traced the origins of the shrine to Saroj Fakir, who, according to local oral history, established and maintained the dargah using alms donated by villagers. After his death, responsibility for the shrine’s upkeep was collectively taken over by members of both Hindu and Muslim communities.
“Preservation of the shrine has always been a shared responsibility,” Hossain said. “Contributions come equally from both communities, whether in the form of money, food items, flowers, or voluntary service.”
Over the years, the shrine has also become associated with several incidents that have strengthened devotees’ faith. Recalling one such episode, Hossain said that several years ago, Border Security Force personnel stationed nearby reported seeing a group of people dressed in white at the dargah late at night.
“When the personnel approached the site, no one was found there,” he said. “Such unexplained incidents have only deepened people’s belief in the spiritual presence of the shrine.”
Remarkably, the managing committee claims it has never faced financial difficulties in organizing the annual festival. Donations continue to arrive regularly, often from unknown contributors.
“Offerings such as rice, lentils, flowers, and other essentials come without solicitation,” Hossain said. “We even receive contributions from outside the state, including Kolkata, which reflects the widespread faith associated with this shrine.”
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As the annual festival approaches, Gaji Babar Mazar once again stands as a reminder that shared traditions, mutual respect, and human values can bridge religious divides. In an era often marked by polarization, the centuries-old shrine continues to quietly reaffirm the enduring power of communal harmony.
