The Ramapir temple in Tando Allahyar, about 40 km north-east of Hyderabad, is dedicated to Ramdev Pir, a folk saint revered by Hindus and by many Muslims in Sindh. Its annual three-day mela, held in the Hindu month of Bhadrapada (roughly late August to September), is the second-largest Hindu pilgrimage in Pakistan after the Hinglaj yatra. Visitors of any faith can go, provided they treat it as a place of worship first and a sight second.
This guide covers the history, what happens during the mela, when to go, and the manners that matter if you are not a pilgrim.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Place | Tando Allahyar, Tando Allahyar District, Sindh |
| From Hyderabad | About 40 km north-east |
| Dedicated to | Ramdev Pir (Ramapir, Ramshahpir) |
| Annual mela | Three days in Bhadrapada, usually late August to September |
| Ranking | Second-largest Hindu pilgrimage in Pakistan, after Hinglaj |
| Best for | Visitors interested in Sindh's living religious culture |
Who is Ramdev Pir?
Ramdev Pir was a Rajput chieftain of the Pokhran area of Rajasthan, remembered in tradition for miracles and for helping the poor and oppressed. Hindus in Rajasthan, Gujarat and Sindh venerate him as a deity, and his main shrine is at Ramdevra in Rajasthan, India.
He also has a Muslim following. Tradition holds that five pirs came from Mecca to test his powers and paid homage to him, and since then he has been known among Muslims as Ramshahpir. That shared devotion is why the Tando Allahyar mela is often described in Pakistan as an example of interfaith harmony.
History of the Tando Allahyar temple
The Tando Allahyar temple dates from the British period, in the mid-19th century. Sources give 1859 or 1861, so we don't give a single year. Local tradition says a Hindu man vowed that if he was blessed with a child he would hold a Ramapir mela in the town. When his wish was granted, he carried an earthen lamp from the original shrine at Ramdevra and founded a temple here.
Reports of the mela count the gatherings by number. One count reached the 556th mela in 2014, which is how the tradition counts its age rather than a verified record. What is beyond doubt is that the fair is long established and has continued year after year.
The annual mela: what happens
The mela is organised by a local committee, the Ramapir Sheva Mandli, and runs for three days. Devotees arrive in groups from across Sindh and other parts of Pakistan, many on foot and many barefoot, carrying coloured flags.
According to published accounts, pilgrims sit outside the town singing bhajans through the night. At about 5 am they process to the temple to the beat of drums and trumpets and hoist their flags there.
Coverage of the 2026 mela, published on 22 September 2026, described thousands of Hindu devotees, many arriving on foot, local residents welcoming them along the routes, and elaborate security arrangements by the administration.
When is the Ramapir mela?
It follows the Hindu lunar calendar, so the Gregorian dates move each year. It falls in Bhadrapada, which in most years lands between late August and late September. The 2026 mela was reported in September.
Confirm the dates locally before you travel, either through the Hindu community in Hyderabad or through news coverage in the weeks beforehand. The peak of the mela is the pre-dawn flag-raising on the main day.
Visiting respectfully
You do not need to be Hindu to attend, but a few things are simply good manners:
- Dress modestly. Cover shoulders and knees, and women should carry a dupatta or scarf.
- Remove shoes before entering the temple grounds, and follow the lead of those around you.
- Ask before photographing worshippers, particularly women, and never photograph anyone at prayer at close range. Don't use a drone.
- Don't cross processions or push through pilgrims. Stand back when the flags go by.
- Don't bring alcohol, meat or cigarettes into the temple area.
- Accept prasad or food if it is offered, with your right hand, as a courtesy.
- Go with local contacts if you can. A Hindu friend or colleague in Hyderabad will make the day easier and help you understand what you are seeing.
Getting there and how to plan the day
Tando Allahyar is about 40 km north-east of Hyderabad. From Karachi it is longer: our Karachi to Hyderabad by road guide covers the first part of the journey. Mela days bring heavy pedestrian traffic, so leave early and expect to park some way out.
It works best as a day trip from Hyderabad. If you are staying in the city, our places to visit in Hyderabad guide has other stops, and the Hindu temples in Sindh route places Ramapir among the other pilgrimage sites, while our Sufi shrines in Sindh guide covers the region's Muslim shrine tradition. More on planning in Sindh is on our destinations page.
Outside the mela, the temple is quiet and has few facilities, so there is little reason to make a special trip.
Is the mela worth attending?
For anyone curious about Sindh beyond forts and tombs, yes. It is a working pilgrimage rather than a staged event, so you see how people actually worship. That is also its limit: crowds are heavy, facilities are basic and it is hot, so it is a poor fit for young children or anyone who dislikes crowds.
If you cannot time a visit to the mela, choose a smaller day for the temple itself, and combine it with other places around Hyderabad.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Ramapir temple?
It is in Tando Allahyar, Sindh, about 40 km north-east of Hyderabad.
When is the Ramapir mela held?
Each year for three days in Bhadrapada, which usually falls between late August and September. The dates follow the lunar calendar, so check locally each year.
Can Muslims and non-Hindus visit the Ramapir temple?
Yes, visitors of all faiths can attend if they behave respectfully. Ramdev Pir is also venerated by some Muslims as Ramshahpir.
Who was Ramdev Pir?
A Rajput chieftain from Rajasthan revered as a saint and deity by Hindus, whose main shrine is at Ramdevra in India. Devotees in Sindh have held a mela in his name in Tando Allahyar since the 19th century.
Is the Ramapir mela safe to attend?
The 2026 mela was held under elaborate security arrangements. Check local news and police advice before you go, and avoid crowded processions if you are uneasy.