Nakodarਨਕੋਦਰ

History

Nakodar is an old town of the central Doaba that found its modern identity in Sufi devotion. The dargah complex grew around Baba Sher Shah, who settled here over a century ago when the spot was still jungle; his disciple Baba Murad Shah — born Vidhya Sagar into a respected local family — succeeded him, and after Murad Shah's death the dargah passed to Sai Ghulam Shah, known as Laddi Shah, who led it until his death on 1 May 2008. The Dera was formally established in its present organised form in 1960.

What makes Nakodar remarkable is the dargah's embrace across religions: Hindus, Sikhs, Muslims and Christians throng the shrine together, and Punjabi singers — from folk legends to film stars — have performed here and sought the saints' blessing. The dargah of Almast Baba Lal Badshah nearby adds a second Sufi centre to the town.

Geography & people

Nakodar lies at about 223 metres above sea level on the Jalandhar–Moga road, 24 kilometres from Jalandhar city. It is a tehsil headquarters and a municipal council. Punjabi is the everyday language; the town's bazaars serve a rich farming hinterland of wheat and paddy. On Thursdays — the Sufi day of gathering — the town fills with pilgrims, and the lanes around the dargah turn into a fair.

The dargah complex itself is a small town: the tombs, a langar hall, a park, and parking for hundreds of vehicles, all maintained by the shrine's management.

Places of interest

The Dera Baba Murad Shah is the destination: the colourful dargah of the three saints, the langar hall, and the Thursday gatherings with qawwali. Do not leave without the elaichi (cardamom) prasad. The nearby dargah of Almast Baba Lal Badshah is the town's second Sufi shrine. Nakodar's old bazaar and its grain market show the town's other, commercial face.

Notable people

Nakodar's notable people are its saints: Baba Sher Shah, the founder; Baba Murad Shah, whose name the Dera carries; and Sai Laddi Shah (d. 2008), who led the shrine into the modern era and whose urs still draws thousands. Punjabi music's greats — Gurdas Maan was once offered the dargah's stewardship and declined it in humility — have kept the town's name alive in song.