The shrine of Sain Sakhi Saheli Sarkar, known locally as the Sain Saheli Sarkar Darbar, sits in the old Civil Secretariat complex at the heart of Muzaffarabad. It is the city's best-known Sufi shrine and a genuine local landmark rather than a tourist stop dressed up as one. It draws visitors year-round, but the busiest time by far is the annual urs held every January. This guide covers who the saint was, when to visit, and how to behave once you're there.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Location | Old Civil Secretariat complex, central Muzaffarabad |
| Saint | Sain Sakhi Saheli Sarkar, died 1900 |
| Annual urs | 13 to 21 January |
| Who attends the urs | Devotees from Hazara, Punjab and across Azad Kashmir |
| Dress | Modest clothing, head covered |
| Nearby | Food stalls around the shrine, especially during the urs |
Who was Sain Saheli Sarkar?
The saint's given name was Syed Zulfiqar Shah, and accounts place his origins with a Syed family that had settled in the Punjab region before he travelled north. Around 1890 he arrived in Muzaffarabad in a state of spiritual devotion, having passed through Hassan Abdal, Haripur, Havelian and Mansehra along the way. He died in 1900, and the shrine that grew up around his grave has been a centre of devotion in the city ever since.
His title reflects how he addressed his followers: male devotees were called "Aria" and female devotees "Saheli," and the second part of his popular name comes from the latter. Locally he is often referred to simply as Saiyan Sakhi Saheli Sarkar or Sain Saheli Sarkar Darbar.
Where the shrine is and what it looks like
The shrine sits inside the old Civil Secretariat complex in central Muzaffarabad, making it an easy stop if you are already in the city for the Red Fort, Domel or the bazaars. It functions as a working place of devotion, not a museum: expect a modest shrine building, an atmosphere of quiet prayer on an ordinary day, and considerably more activity during the urs.
The annual urs: 13 to 21 January
The shrine's urs, the annual commemoration of the saint's death, runs from 13 to 21 January and is the single biggest event connected to it. Devotees travel from Hazara, from Punjab and from across Azad Kashmir to attend, and the days involve prayers, gatherings and the general atmosphere of a religious festival rather than a quiet visit. If you want to see Muzaffarabad's devotional life at its most visible, this is when to come; if you prefer a calmer visit, avoid those dates and go on an ordinary day instead.
January in Muzaffarabad is cold, with the city's winter bringing mild days and cold nights at its low altitude, so dress for the season as well as for the shrine if you plan to attend the urs.
Visiting etiquette
As at any Sufi shrine in Pakistan, a few basic points of etiquette apply:
- Dress modestly. Cover your arms and legs, and women should cover their heads. Men are often expected to do the same inside shrine buildings.
- Remove your shoes before entering the inner shrine area, as is customary at devotional sites.
- Keep your voice down and be mindful that people around you may be in prayer or in mourning for the saint, particularly around the urs.
- Ask before photographing people, especially inside the shrine itself. Photographing the building from outside is generally fine.
- Follow the lead of those around you if you are unfamiliar with the customs; shrine attendants and regular visitors are used to guiding newcomers.
Food stalls around the shrine
Food stalls set up around the shrine, particularly in the run-up to and during the urs, selling simple snacks, tea and sweets to the crowds attending. Outside the urs period, expect fewer stalls and a quieter approach, more in keeping with the shrine's day-to-day rhythm as a place of prayer rather than a festival site.
Is it worth visiting?
If you have an interest in the region's Sufi traditions, or simply want to see a part of Muzaffarabad life that isn't in the standard sightseeing list, yes. It is a short stop that fits easily alongside the Red Fort and Domel in the same half day, rather than a separate outing. If you are not planning to be in the city in January, you'll see the shrine itself but not the atmosphere of the urs, which is the more memorable time to visit if your dates allow it. Our guide to places to visit in Muzaffarabad covers it alongside the rest of the city's sights, and our Kashmir destination page has more on the wider region.
Frequently asked questions
Who is buried at the Sain Saheli Sarkar shrine?
Sain Sakhi Saheli Sarkar, born Syed Zulfiqar Shah, a Sufi who arrived in Muzaffarabad around 1890 and died there in 1900. The shrine has been a centre of local devotion since.
When is the Sain Saheli Sarkar urs held?
Every year from 13 to 21 January, drawing devotees from Hazara, Punjab and across Azad Kashmir.
Where exactly is the shrine in Muzaffarabad?
Inside the old Civil Secretariat complex in the centre of the city, an easy stop alongside the Red Fort and the bazaars.
What should I wear to visit the shrine?
Modest clothing covering the arms and legs, with a head covering, particularly for women. Shoes are removed before entering the inner shrine area.
Is the shrine busy outside the urs dates?
It sees visitors year-round, but the atmosphere is far quieter on an ordinary day than during the 13 to 21 January urs, when the surrounding food stalls and crowds are at their busiest.
Is Azad Kashmir safe for overseas visitors?
Pakistani tourists visit every year, but as of September 2026 the UK government advises against all travel within 10 miles of the Line of Control and against all but essential travel to the rest of Azad Kashmir. The 2026 protests there also brought road blockades and long internet shutdowns. If you hold a foreign passport, check your own government's advice before you go, because travelling against it can void your insurance. Everyone should check local news and current police advice before setting out.
