Mangho Pir (also spelt Manghopir) is a Sufi shrine on the north-western edge of Karachi, best known for a pond with more than a hundred marsh crocodiles that pilgrims traditionally feed. About a kilometre from the shrine there are warm sulphur springs, and every year the Sheedi community holds a festival here. It is a working place of worship first and an attraction second, and visitors are expected to behave accordingly.
This guide covers the story behind the crocodiles, what you see, the hot springs, how to get there and the etiquette that matters. We could not confirm current entry fees or visiting hours from a recent source, so those are left as advice to check on arrival.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Where | Manghopir, north-west Karachi (Orangi District) |
| The saint | Haji Syed Shaikh Sultan, known as Mangho Pir, 13th century |
| Crocodiles | More than 100 marsh crocodiles in the pond |
| Hot springs | About 1 km from the shrine; sulphur water, separate facilities for men and women |
| Festival | Sheedi Mela, dates set each year by the community |
| Fees and hours | Not confirmed for 2026; ask at the entrance |
What is Mangho Pir?
The shrine honours a 13th-century Sufi saint associated with the Chishti order, and it is linked in tradition to Baba Farid Ganjshakar. It is also a spiritual centre for the Sheedi community, whose ancestors came from Africa, and for whom the shrine is a symbol of that shared past.
The saint gave the place its name, but the crocodiles are far older than he is. Scientists writing about the shrine say the population is descended from crocodiles washed in by an ancient flood, with carbon-dating reported from the Bronze Age. Local legend says lice from the saint's hair fell into the pond and turned into crocodiles.
The crocodiles
The pond next to the shrine is green and still, and the crocodiles lie along the banks and in the water. Pilgrims bring meat, and sometimes eggs or sweets, as offerings, and the shrine's keepers hand them out. One crocodile, called More Sawab, is said to be between 70 and 100 years old and is honoured with garlands and raw meat at festival time.
A report in Scroll cites the shrine keepers saying that no crocodile attack has ever been reported here, and that the animals are largely docile after generations of feeding by people. Do not read that as licence. They are still large reptiles. Keep your distance from the water's edge, keep children close, and follow whatever the keepers tell you.
The hot springs
Roughly a kilometre from the shrine there are warm springs, rich in carbon dioxide and some sulphur, which people believe help skin conditions. Sources describe separate pools and shower rooms for men and women. Conditions at the springs change with upkeep, and the information available is older than we would like, so treat them as something to see if you are curious, not a reason for the trip.
Sheedi Mela and the urs
The Sheedi Mela, sometimes called the crocodile festival, brings the Sheedi community to the shrine for music and the Dhamal, a trance-like dance. It was interrupted for about nine years because of threats against Sufi shrines and returned in March 2018, according to Dawn. Dates are decided by community leaders, so check locally.
The saint's urs, marking the anniversary of his death, is a separate event held in the month of Dhu al-Hijjah. Both events bring crowds, which is good for atmosphere and bad for space.
How to get there
Manghopir is in the north-west of Karachi, reached by Manghopir Road. From central Karachi it is a long cross-city drive through busy roads, and older directions describe it as roughly 40 minutes past the Lyari Expressway to Naya Nazimabad, then a few minutes more. Traffic can make it longer. A ride-hailing car is the easiest way, since parking near a shrine is limited and the streets are narrow.
It fits with a wider trip on the Karachi outskirts. Our guide to day trips from Karachi covers options in the same direction, and Hub Dam lies further out along the Balochistan side.
Etiquette and safety
This is a shrine, so dress modestly, cover your head if you are a woman, and take off your shoes at the entrance. Our shrine etiquette guide covers what is expected at most Pakistani shrines. Ask before photographing worshippers, and be mindful of the Sheedi community's rituals.
Karachi's general security is covered in our is Karachi safe for tourists guide. Shrines have been targets of attacks in Pakistan in the past, so go in daylight, expect bag checks and check local news before you set out. Foreign visitors should read their own government's advice for Sindh.
Is it worth the trip?
Yes, if you are curious about Karachi beyond the beaches and food, and you are happy with a slightly rough, crowded and traditional place. The crocodile pond is unusual, and the history behind it is genuinely interesting. It is a poor choice if you want a tidy, managed attraction. If you dislike animals in close quarters or crowds, Abdullah Shah Ghazi shrine is easier to reach and less rough around the edges.
Go in the cooler months, between roughly November and March, and go in the morning.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Mangho Pir in Karachi?
In Manghopir, on the north-western edge of the city, in Orangi District. Manghopir Road is the main route.
How many crocodiles are at Mangho Pir?
More than a hundred marsh crocodiles live in the pond, according to Dawn and other reports. Some accounts give higher numbers.
Can you feed the crocodiles at Mangho Pir?
Pilgrims traditionally feed them, and shrine keepers hand out meat. Follow the keepers' instructions and keep well back.
Are the crocodiles dangerous?
They are large reptiles, but reports say no attack has been recorded and they are docile. Keep your distance regardless.
What is the Sheedi Mela?
A festival of the Sheedi community at the shrine, with music and the Dhamal dance. It returned in March 2018 after a nine-year gap.
Is there an entry fee?
We could not verify the current fee. Be ready to pay a small amount, and expect to be asked for donations.
