The Kot Mithan shrine is the tomb of Khwaja Ghulam Farid, the 19th-century Chishti Sufi and Saraiki poet, in the town of Mithankot in Rajanpur district, on the west bank of the Indus. It is described as one of the ten most visited shrines in Pakistan, and its glazed tilework, fresco painting and carved wooden doors make it one of the better-decorated shrines in southern Punjab. It is far from the usual routes, so a visit takes a day's planning.
This guide covers who Khwaja Ghulam Farid was, what the building looks like, when the annual urs falls, how to get there from Multan, and what to check on security before going.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Where | Kot Mithan (Mithankot), Rajanpur district, on the west bank of the Indus |
| Who | Khwaja Ghulam Farid, Chishti Sufi poet, died 24 July 1901 |
| Dated | 1845 per the Punjab Archaeology Department |
| Annual urs | Three days, late September in 2025 (follows the Islamic calendar) |
| From Multan | About 214 km by road; roughly 2.5 to 3.5 hours by car or bus |
| Look for | Glazed tiles, fresco painting, hand-carved wooden doors, lattice work |
Who was Khwaja Ghulam Farid?
Khwaja Ghulam Farid (c. 1841 or 1845 to 24 July 1901) was a Sufi mystic and one of the most loved poets in Saraiki, the language of southern Punjab. He belonged to the Chishti order. His collected Saraiki verse, the Diwan-e-Farid, is still sung and recited across the region, and he also wrote in other languages including Persian, Urdu, Sindhi and Punjabi.
The Archaeology Department of Punjab notes that he was fluent in Arabic, Persian, Urdu, Sindhi, Punjabi and Saraiki, and that he opposed British rule in Bahawalpur, encouraging the local ruler towards independence from foreign control. He was buried at Kot Mithan, which is why the town is sometimes called Shehr-e-Farid.
What the shrine looks like
The Archaeology Department lists the tomb with these features:
- Glazed ceramic tiles in decorative patterns
- Fresco wall paintings
- Hand-carved wooden doors
- Wooden lattice work (jhalar) on the verandahs
- Floral paintings on wooden beams and ceilings
The shrine is looked after by the Auqaf (religious endowments) department, with the Archaeology Department overseeing the building, and is described as well maintained. It was one of the sites that received preservation funding from foreign grants, according to the department. Annual maintenance is still needed, as with all painted wooden buildings in a river-valley climate.
It is an active shrine, not a museum. People come to pray and listen to the poetry, and there are no ticketed visiting hours that we could verify. Dress modestly, cover your head, take your shoes off at the entrance and follow what the caretakers ask, as at any shrine. Our guide to the shrines of Multan has more on shrine etiquette in the region.
When is the urs of Khwaja Ghulam Farid?
The annual urs, the saint's death anniversary, runs for three days. The 128th urs began on 30 September 2025 with custodians washing the grave with rose water and laying a ceremonial chadar and flowers, followed by Quran recitation and prayers. Dawn reported that the Punjab government directed full arrangements, with the district administration and Auqaf department providing accommodation and langar (free food), and health, police, civil defence and Rescue 1122 setting up support camps.
Because the urs follows the Islamic lunar calendar, it moves about 11 days earlier each year in the Gregorian calendar, so check the date for the year you plan to go. Expect large crowds and tighter security during those days, and think carefully about visiting with young children or elderly relatives then. Outside the urs the shrine is much quieter.
How to get to Kot Mithan from Multan
The road distance from Multan is about 214 km, according to Rome2Rio, with a drive of around two hours 20 minutes at best and longer in practice.
- By road. The main paved road runs from Dera Ghazi Khan through Rajanpur, and on to Kashmore and Jacobabad. Drive in daylight.
- By bus. Faisal Movers is listed with a bus roughly every 30 minutes and an average journey of about 3 hours 30 minutes on a related Multan to Mithankot route. Check the current service.
- By train. The line through Rajanpur has stations including Rajanpur and Mithan Kot, but the Punjab district site lists only one express and one passenger train, so check the timetable carefully on pakrail.gov.pk before relying on it.
- By hired car. The simplest option for a day trip from Multan is a car with a driver, which also lets you leave early and return before dark.
The area is hot and dry. Average annual rainfall is only about 175 mm, and summers are punishing, so October to March is the more comfortable season for a visit.
Is it safe to visit?
Kot Mithan lies in Rajanpur district, in the far south-west of Punjab, close to the Balochistan and Sindh borders. It is not itself on the UK government's list of areas it advises against, but the neighbouring province of Balochistan is, and the riverine Katcha area along the Indus in this region has long had armed gangs.
Punjab Police ran a large operation in the Rajanpur Katcha in early 2026, with around 1,700 officers, drones and armoured vehicles, and dozens of wanted men surrendered by late January 2026 (Express Tribune). The shrine itself attracts large crowds of pilgrims and is policed during the urs. Still, check local news and ask the police or district administration about the road before you go, stay on the main highway, avoid travelling after dark, and do not go into the riverine Katcha areas. If you hold a foreign passport, check your own government's advice, because travelling against it can void your travel insurance.
Is the Kot Mithan shrine worth the trip?
It is worth it if you are interested in Saraiki poetry, Sufi heritage or decorated shrines, and have a day free to cover the distance. The setting is quieter than the big shrines in Multan, and the tilework and carved doors reward a slow look.
It is a long way for a short visit, and there is little tourist infrastructure around it. If you only have a day in southern Punjab, the monuments at Uch Sharif and the sights in Rahim Yar Khan are easier to reach. For more places across the region see our destinations page, and for road-trip planning, our travel guide.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the shrine of Khwaja Ghulam Farid?
In Kot Mithan (Mithankot), Rajanpur district, Punjab, on the west bank of the Indus. It is about 214 km from Multan by road.
Who was Khwaja Ghulam Farid?
A 19th-century Chishti Sufi and one of the greatest poets in Saraiki, who died on 24 July 1901. His verse is widely recited across southern Punjab and Sindh.
When is the urs of Khwaja Ghulam Farid?
It lasts three days and began on 30 September 2025 for the 128th urs. The date moves earlier each year because it follows the Islamic calendar.
Can women visit the shrine?
We could not verify the rules on separate entrances or timings, so ask the caretakers on arrival. Dress modestly and cover your head.
Is the road to Kot Mithan safe?
Pakistani visitors do travel there, especially for the urs, but the area is near the Balochistan border and has seen police operations against armed gangs. Check local advice, stay on the main road and avoid night driving.
