Shadani Darbar, Hayat Pitafi: Sindh's Largest Hindu Temple

Shadani Darbar is a Hindu temple and spiritual centre at Hayat Pitafi, in Mirpur Mathelo taluka of Ghotki district in upper Sindh, about 23 km by road from Ghotki town. It was founded in 1786 by Sant Shadaram Sahib, a saint born in Lahore in 1708, and is often described as the largest Hindu temple in Sindh. Its biggest event is the annual celebration of Sant Shadaram's birth anniversary, held around December and January, when Pakistan issues visas to pilgrims from India. At other times it is a quieter working temple.

This guide covers the history of Shadani Darbar, what happens at the festival, how to get there, and how to behave as a visitor.

Who was Sant Shadaram Sahib?

Sant Shadaram Sahib was born in Lahore in 1708. The temple's own records, as reported in Indian coverage of the pilgrimages, say he was born in October into a Lohana family. His followers regard him as an incarnation of Shiva, and in pilgrimage announcements he is titled Shiv Avtari Satguru Sant Shadaram Sahib. He laid the foundation of the darbar at Hayat Pitafi in 1786.

The temple has remained a living centre of worship ever since. It belongs to the tradition common in Sindh where Hindu devotion sits close to Sikh scripture: during the festival both the Bhagavad Gita and the Guru Granth Sahib are recited.

What is inside Shadani Darbar?

Shadani Darbar is a working temple and community centre rather than a historic monument, so expect active worship, not a museum. Two things are central to devotion here. The first is the Dhuni Sahib, a sacred fire. The second is a well; devotees believe that anyone who takes the blessing of the Dhuni Sahib and drinks the water of the well is relieved of suffering and misfortune.

We could not find a reliable published description of the buildings themselves, so we are not describing them here. Go expecting a large, busy temple complex, and ask the custodians before you wander into any room or courtyard.

When is the Shadani Darbar festival?

The main event is a three-day celebration of Sant Shadaram's birth anniversary. Agni pooja (a fire ritual) is performed, the Gita and Guru Granth Sahib are recited, and the temple organises mass weddings for poor Hindu couples.

The dates follow the Hindu calendar and shift from year to year. Reports of recent pilgrimages show the range:

• 313th anniversary: pilgrims visited from 4 to 15 December 2021 (Gulf News).
• 314th anniversary: visas covered 22 November to 3 December 2022.
• 316th anniversary: pilgrims visited from 5 to 15 January 2025 (Arab News); Pakistan issued 94 visas and The Tribune of India reported 84 pilgrims crossing at Wagah.

Pakistan's High Commission in New Delhi issues the visas under the 1974 Pakistan India Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines, and the Evacuee Trust Property Board receives the groups. The 2025 group also visited other temples in upper Sindh, including Sadhu Bela in Sukkur. Whether Indian groups travel in a given year depends on relations between the two countries, so check the news before planning around them. Pakistani Hindus attend in large numbers regardless.

How do you get to Shadani Darbar?

Ghotki town is the base. It lies on the N5 National Highway between Sukkur and Rahim Yar Khan, and on the main Karachi to Peshawar railway line. From Ghotki, Hayat Pitafi is about 23 km by road towards Mirpur Mathelo; a local taxi or rickshaw driver will know Shadani Darbar.

From Sukkur the drive is about 105 km, roughly two hours, by our check with OSRM route data. From the Punjab side, Rahim Yar Khan is the nearest large town with hotels; see our places to visit in Rahim Yar Khan if you are coming that way.

There is no entry fee for a temple. We found no hotels near the darbar, so most visitors stay in Sukkur or Rahim Yar Khan; our Sukkur hotels guide has options.

Etiquette for visitors

Shadani Darbar is a place of worship first. A few simple rules go a long way:

1. Remove your shoes where others do, and cover your head, as is customary where the Guru Granth Sahib is kept.
2. Dress modestly. Long sleeves and loose clothes for men and women.
3. Ask before photographing people, rituals or the inner shrine. Many devotees will say yes; some will not.
4. Do not touch the Dhuni Sahib or sacred objects unless a custodian invites you.
5. Bring no meat, alcohol or tobacco onto the premises.
6. Keep a low profile at festival time. The courtyards are full of families, and organisers are busy.

Our guide to etiquette at places of worship in Pakistan covers more, and Hindu temples in Sindh puts Shadani Darbar alongside the province's other major temples.

Is it safe to visit?

Ghotki is in Sindh north of Nawabshah, where the UK government's Pakistan travel advice (updated 22 September 2026) advises against all but essential travel. Ghotki district also has riverine katcha areas along the Indus with a long record of dacoit gangs; Dawn reported in March 2025 on kidnapping for ransom by gangs in Ghotki, Kashmore and Shikarpur. The temple and the main roads are a different setting, and Pakistani pilgrims visit throughout the year, but keep to the highway and main roads, travel in daylight, and check local news and police advice before setting out. Overseas visitors should check their own government's advice, since travelling against it can void insurance.

Is Shadani Darbar worth visiting?

For Hindu pilgrims, it is one of the most important places in Sindh, and the festival is the time to go. For other travellers, it suits those interested in Sindh's living religious traditions and willing to be guests rather than sightseers; there is not much to "see" in a tourist sense outside worship. It pairs well with Moomal ji Mari, the legendary palace mound about 13 km away, and with a day in Sukkur. For other ideas, see the experiences page.

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