Shrine of Hazrat Shah Jalal
The hilltop shrine of the 14th-century Sufi saint who is the spiritual heart of Sylhet.
The dargah of Hazrat Shah Jalal, the Sufi saint who came to Sylhet in the early 14th century, is the spiritual heart of the city and draws pilgrims from all over the country. The tomb stands on a low hillock in the Dargah Mahalla area, surrounded by mosques, a madrasa and a large graveyard.
Visitors usually stop at the pond of large gajar fish, which are regarded as sacred and fed by pilgrims, and at the old well said to hold golden fish. The flocks of grey 'Jalali' pigeons living around the complex are never harmed. Many travellers also visit the shrine of his companion Hazrat Shah Paran, about 8 km to the east.
How to go
In the city: a rickshaw or CNG from Zindabazar or Ambarkhana takes 10-15 minutes (30-80 BDT).
Where to stay
Dozens of hotels line Dargah Gate and nearby Ambarkhana, from simple rooms at 1,000 BDT to mid-range hotels at 3,000-6,000 BDT.
