Meetha Neem Dargah Nagpur: Heritage, Faith, and Neglect

thenewsdirt
Jun 2
5 min read

In the heart of Vidarbha's Nagpur stands a shrine that has witnessed over two centuries of devotion. Known as the Meetha Neem Shareef, the dargah of Hazrat Sayyad Shah Jalaluddin Awliya Meer-e-Surkh remains a focal point of spiritual faith.

Its history is deeply embedded in the cultural fabric of the region. Over the years, the site has drawn people across communities and backgrounds.

Today, the dargah continues to be a place of worship and social connection, though challenges of urban encroachment and administrative neglect threaten its surroundings.

Historical Roots and Spiritual Belief

Hazrat Sayyad Shah Jalaluddin Awliya Meer-e-Surkh, remembered with reverence as Aala Hazrat, was a Sufi saint of the nineteenth century.

Historical accounts note that he served in the Arab regiment of the Bhonsle rulers of Nagpur. After military campaigns, Jalaluddin would reportedly retreat to a neem tree for prayer.

It is said that it was here that a remarkable event is believed to have occurred. The neem tree’s typically bitter leaves turned sweet. This phenomenon became central to the shrine's identity and later lent the dargah its name, Meetha Neem Shareef.

The saint’s final wish was to be buried beside the same neem tree, a wish fulfilled by his disciples.

The dargah subsequently grew around his tomb, becoming a recognised spiritual site.

Jalaluddin is also linked to Hazrat Tajuddin Baba, another prominent Sufi figure from Nagpur, placing Meetha Neem within the Qadiri Sufi tradition.

His shrine is regarded not just for its historical importance, but also for its ongoing spiritual influence on the devotees of Vidarbha.

The dargah has been under the care of Jalaluddin’s descendants. The current custodian, Nizamuddin Quadri, continues the family tradition of maintaining the site and overseeing the annual celebrations.

The Meetha Neem shrine’s longstanding heritage reflects a blend of military history and spiritual significance, offering a glimpse into the layered past of Vidarbha.

The Meetha Neem Dargah has consistently drawn visitors from diverse backgrounds. Many come seeking blessings and believe that their prayers offered at the neem tree are answered.

Such is the power of faith associated with the site that devotees attribute the fulfilment of wishes to the saint’s grace.

The shrine’s annual Urs, commemorating the saint’s death anniversary, is a major event. It features Quran recitations at dawn, Sufi qawwali sessions at night, and communal meals or langar.

The Urs spans several days, and traditions such as the ceremonial chadar offerings are carried out with deep respect. One of the notable events during the Urs includes participation from members of the erstwhile Bhonsle royal family, reinforcing the dargah’s historical connections.

The shrine’s open and inclusive environment has made it a place of respect across religions and communities.

In a significant development in April 2017, over a hundred members of the transgender community entered the shrine to pay homage.

This act underlined the dargah’s role as a shared spiritual space. The event was peaceful, and later, the caretaker of the shrine affirmed that people from all walks of life are welcome to offer prayers, provided customary practices are observed.

The Meetha Neem Dargah holds a special place in Vidarbha’s Sufi heritage. Its role extends beyond spiritual fulfilment to fostering a sense of communal harmony. The traditions, rituals, and folklore surrounding the site reflect the region’s deep-rooted respect for Sufi saints and their teachings.

Encroachments and Administrative Neglect

Despite its religious and cultural significance, the Meetha Neem Dargah and its surroundings face ongoing issues of encroachment and administrative neglect.

Over the years, roadside vendors, tea stalls, and flower sellers have occupied spaces around the shrine, resulting in congestion and reduced access.

Multiple anti-encroachment drives have been carried out by the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), often following court directives.

In 2016, NMC squads, backed by police, dismantled several illegal structures around the dargah. However, these clearances proved temporary. Vendors and stalls reappeared within days, highlighting the difficulty in enforcing lasting change.

A wider survey indicated that out of over 1,500 identified illegal religious structures in the city, only a fraction had been removed. These findings point to a broader issue of ineffective enforcement and occasional administrative indifference.

In one instance, an assistant commissioner of the NMC faced suspension for ignoring the presence of an illegal pandal erected near the shrine.

Further clearance operations have met resistance from both vendors and devotees, leading to tense situations.

The area’s persistent encroachment reflects a gap in the city’s approach to heritage preservation. While the main structure of the dargah remains intact and continues to be used for daily prayers and religious functions, the clutter and disarray surrounding it give an impression of neglect.

There is no evidence of a structured conservation plan or heritage protection status for the dargah. Maintenance efforts are primarily dependent on the shrine’s private caretakers, with little visible support from government agencies. The absence of consistent policy action leaves the shrine’s physical environment vulnerable to further deterioration.

Community Engagement and Recent Developments

Several local NGOs have stepped in to use the shrine’s grounds for humanitarian work. Among them, the Pandit Deendayal Institute of Medical Science and Human Research has distributed summer heat-relief kits to those in need and organises weekly langars on Thursdays.

These initiatives underscore the dargah’s role not just as a religious site but as a place for community service.

In recent years, the shrine has also found a place in civic action plans, such as city efforts to manage the homeless population during winter months.

The dargah's location makes it a point of outreach for civic authorities conducting night rescues and providing shelter to destitute individuals.

Local leaders have occasionally intervened to mediate between authorities and religious groups during encroachment removal drives. Their efforts are often directed at ensuring that traditional activities associated with the shrine are not disrupted.

While these activities highlight the continuing relevance of the Meetha Neem Dargah in Nagpur’s social and cultural life, they do not address the underlying issue of preservation.

With no dedicated conservation programme or historic site protection in place, the future of the shrine’s physical environment remains uncertain.

The Meetha Neem Dargah represents an important chapter in Vidarbha’s Sufi legacy. Its enduring popularity among devotees and its involvement in community welfare activities affirm its significance. However, without structured support and active conservation measures, this heritage site faces the risk of gradual decline.