One of the most important shrines of the Sufi is the tomb of Sheikh Salim Chishti. It is one of the famous as well as the finest examples of the masterpieces from marble work in India. It is located in the north half of the 'Jami Masjid's (Royal Mosque) great courtyard in the 'Fathehpur Sikri' city of Agra. The tomb was constructed in the place where the renowned Sufi mystic, the Sheikh Salim Chisti had sat for meditation and had hermitage throughout his life. The shrine was constructed in 1570.

History

Founded in Sikri village, Fathehpur city lies 40km away from Agra. This city was founded by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in the honour of Saint Sheikh Salim Chishti. When Emperor Akbar came to Sikri in the search of a saint to seek his blessing for an offspring, after experiencing many failures, a Sufi saint who was an advisor as well as the teacher of Emperor Akbar predicted that the king would be blessed with three sons.

The prediction turned out to be true, and son of Akbar, Jahangir was named Salim after the saint. He was raised by a Sufi holy man. The saint then passed away in the year 1571. In order to perpetuate the memory of this saint, Akbar built a charming mosque amidst the Sikri complex with its courts, palaces, gardens and baths. The mausoleum of Sheikh Salim Chishti constructed in white marble with its unique carvings, holds an ethereal quality about the construction.

Best Time to Visit

This place could be visited anytime around the year.

Architecture

The tomb is constructed on a 1m high platform having a flight of 5 steps, which leads to the entrance. The prime tomb building is encased by quite delicate marble screens on all the sides, with the tomb being situated in the main hall’s center. It has a single semi-circular dome. The marble building is carved exquisitely and has an appearance similar to an ivory. The black and yellow mosaics are nicely arranged in geometric patterns.

How to Reach

By Air

Keria Airport of Agra is at a distance of 6 km from the heart of the city. It is nicely connected with Delhi (204km-30 minutes flight) and all the other major places in India. Except for Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, fights fly on all the remaining days

By Rail

Agra is a large railway Junction and has many railway stations, which connects the city to all the major places both in the north and south. The Agra Cantonment Railway station is the prime terminal, situated in the southwest of the city. The other two major services are the Shatabdi and the Taj Express that connects Agra to Gwalior, Bhopal Jhansi and Delhi. Rest of the services Jhelum Express (Jammu Tawi - Pune), the Toofan Express (New Delhi - Calcutta) and include the Karnataka Express (New Delhi - Bangalore).

By Road

Agra is interlinked by bus services to rest of the places both in the State and outside the state. In addition to this, the national highways 2, 3 and 11 have a passage through the city. The state transports include ordinary as well as deluxe buses to Jaipur (every half an hour), Lucknow, Gwalior, Jhansi, Delhi (every hour), etc from the Idgah bus station.

By Self Transport

For the local travelers, tempos, auto-rickshaws as well as the cycle rickshaws are available. It is also possible to hire bicycles on an hourly basis or choose for your personal transport.

Tourism

People of different religion come together in thousands of number to offer flowers and prayers at the shrine. They also tie cotton threads with a hope that their wishes would get fulfilled or they be blessed and bear an offspring. The Urs (death anniversary) of the Saint is celebrated in winters with great zest and devotion by his uncountable followers. The Qawwali singers sit in the courtyard adjacent to the dargah and sing wholeheartedly. The Fathehpur Sikri complex 400 years old and hence, with the conservation work, the Archaeological Survey department of India immaculately preserves it.

Visitor Information

Opening Hours

Sunrise to Sunset

Entry Fee

Check directly at the monument’s ticket counter.