Postcard from Bahauddin Zakariya Shrine, Multan

We didn’t have to travel far from the shrine of Shah Rukn-e-Alam to get to our next shrine, the shrine of his grandfather, Bahauddin Zakariya.  His full name was Sheikh Kabir Sheikhul Salam Bahauddin Zakariya Al-Asadi-Al Hashmi.  

 Bahauddin Zakariya was born in 1170AD and died in 1262AD.  The shrine was built before his death and he paid for the building himself, unusual for the time.  Bahauddin Zakariya founded the Suhrawardiyya order of Sufism.  This particular branch of Sufism favoured close contacts with society, established trade schools and renounced austerity.  

 His tomb is definitely not austere.  The base is a square, on top of this is an octagon, topped by a white dome with white minarets.  The tomb is decorated with the traditional Multani blue and white glazed tiles, detailed woodwork, and Arabic inscriptions. 

 Bahauddin Zakariya has been reported to have said ‘Our Multan is comparable to Paradise – tread slowly, the angels are paying obeisance here’.  You certainly feel awe as you walk around the tomb and you should definitely tread slowly around Multan, an amazing city.

Multani blue and white glazed tiles

The first time I’ve seen a pillar covered in Multani blue and white glazed tiles

Remains of Multani tiles on the outside of the shrine

Inside the shrine

Top of the dome, inside the shrine

Doorway into the shrine

Gateway into the courtyard

We stopped and listened to a man singing and playing an harmonium

Normally the entrance would be filled with people but they were kept waiting as we visited the shrine