The Sachal Sarmast shrine at Daraza Sharif, near Ranipur in Khairpur district, holds the tomb of the 18th-century Sufi poet known as the "poet of seven languages". It lies about 40 to 50 km from Khairpur city, near the N-5, and is best visited on a winter weekday, not during the busy annual Urs in Ramadan. Dress modestly, remove your shoes and expect a working shrine, not a museum.
This guide covers who Sachal Sarmast was, what the shrine is like, how to reach it, and how to behave. For the wider district, see our places to visit in Khairpur.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Where | Daraza Sharif, near Ranipur, Khairpur district |
| From Khairpur | About 40 to 50 km (sources vary) |
| Location | Near the N-5 and the Gambat-Ranipur road |
| Poet's dates | About 1739 to 1827 or 1829, depending on the source |
| Annual Urs | Three days in Ramadan; 2026 local holiday was 4 March |
| Entry | We found no published ticket price |
Who was Sachal Sarmast?
He was born Abdul Wahab Farooqi in Daraza, in the time of the Kalhora and Talpur rulers of Sindh. His father died when he was six and his uncle became his guardian and spiritual teacher. He married a cousin who died two years later, and he did not remarry.
"Sachal" means truthful and "Sarmast" means intoxicated, in a spiritual sense, so the name is usually rendered "the ecstatic saint of truth". He wrote in seven languages: Sindhi, Siraiki, Persian, Urdu, Balochi, Punjabi and Arabic. Sindhi and Siraiki are his best-known languages, and one source counts nine collections of Persian poetry, including the Diwan-i-Ashkar and Dard Nama.
His verse follows wahdat-ul-wujood, the idea of the unity of existence. One line usually quoted in English runs, "He is, you are not; lose your self, and jump into the sea of unity." He also urged followers to keep daily prayers, Friday congregation and the Ramadan fast. Heritage notes record his saying, "Where crowds are, there I am not."
What is the shrine like?
The mausoleum was built by Mir Rustam Khan Talpur, ruler of Khairpur, according to the Heritage of Sindh trust. It holds the graves of Sachal Sarmast and of relatives including his father, grandfather, uncle and cousins. It is decorated with traditional Sindhi tilework.
We did not find a reliable source for the construction date or the exact dimensions, so we don't give them. Expect a working shrine, much quieter on ordinary days than at the Urs.
How to get to Daraza Sharif
Daraza is on the N-5 corridor near Ranipur, which sits at the 419 km marker on the highway and is about 50 km from Khairpur and about 30 km from Kot Diji. Another listing gives 40 km from Khairpur, so allow 45 minutes to an hour from the city by car.
From Karachi it is a long haul: Khairpur is over 400 km away. Most visitors come from Khairpur or Sukkur. A hired car with a driver is simplest, and the Kot Diji Fort guide shows what to combine on the same day. See also Faiz Mahal in Khairpur.
The annual Urs
The Urs marks his death anniversary and runs for three days at Daraza, starting on the 13th or 14th of Ramadan depending on the moon and the announcement. Programmes have included a chadar-laying ceremony, a musical conference, a literary conference, an exhibition and a fair. In 2025 it ran from 14 to 16 March, and in 2026 the district declared a local holiday on 4 March for the 205th Urs.
Ramadan moves about ten or eleven days earlier each year, so check the date locally. Expect large crowds and heavy traffic. If you want a calm visit, go on another day.
Visiting respectfully
- Cover your head and dress modestly. Women should carry a dupatta.
- Take off your shoes at the entrance, as at any shrine.
- Ask before photographing people or the grave itself.
- Do not touch or step over graves. Follow the lead of others.
- Give donations, if you wish, in the boxes, not to people who approach you.
- Go in winter. Daytime summer temperatures across Khairpur district frequently exceed 50 C.
Is Daraza safe to visit?
Daraza is in Sindh north of Nawabshah. The UK government's Pakistan travel advice (updated 22 September 2026) advises against all but essential travel there, and foreign-passport holders should check their own advice, which can affect insurance. Pakistani visitors and pilgrims still travel to the shrine, particularly for the Urs. Check local news and police advice before setting out.
Is it worth visiting?
Yes if you are interested in Sindhi poetry, Sufi culture or the district's history and are already in Khairpur. Nothing here is a grand monument, and it does not suit anyone looking for a scenic outing or a shorter trip. For related places, see our destinations page.
Frequently asked questions
Who was Sachal Sarmast?
An 18th and early 19th-century Sufi poet from Daraza in Sindh, who wrote in seven languages including Sindhi, Siraiki and Persian.
Where is Sachal Sarmast's shrine?
At Daraza Sharif near Ranipur in Khairpur district, roughly 40 to 50 km from Khairpur city.
When is the Sachal Sarmast Urs?
For three days in Ramadan, starting around the 13th or 14th. The 2026 local holiday was on 4 March.
Who built the Sachal Sarmast shrine?
Mir Rustam Khan Talpur, the ruler of Khairpur, according to the Heritage of Sindh trust.
Why is he called the poet of seven languages?
Because he composed poetry in Sindhi, Siraiki, Persian, Urdu, Balochi, Punjabi and Arabic.
