Hindu and Muslim Devotees Celebrate Holi Together in UP

Every spring at the dargah of Haji Waris Ali Shah in Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh, something beautiful happens: religious boundaries dissolve into clouds of pink, yellow, and red gulal as devotees of different faiths celebrate Holi side by side.

The 19th-century Sufi shrine transforms into a living testament to unity during the festival. Hindu and Muslim devotees embrace warmly, apply colors to one another's faces, and share in the joy of the celebration.

"Jo Rab Hai, Wohi Ram" is the central message here, meaning "The one who is God is the same as Ram." It's a philosophy that guides every ritual and interaction during this remarkable festival.

Sikh pilgrims and visitors from across India travel to participate in this unique Holi. The atmosphere blends the spiritual with the festive as Sufi poetry floats through air thick with colored powder and rose petals.

The shrine's inclusive history runs deep. Raja Pancham Singh, a Hindu devotee, built the saint's tomb, establishing a tradition of unity that has only strengthened over centuries.

Many Hindu pilgrims actually revere Waris Ali Shah as a manifestation of Lord Krishna. Hindu devotees often outnumber Muslims at the shrine during Holi celebrations, and "Waris Sarkar" displays can be seen on homes and vehicles throughout the region.

Pratap Jaiswal has attended for 40 years and describes the experience as transformative. "I used to stay home on Holi, but when I first visited the Deva Sharif shrine, I was so immersed in the spring colors that they haven't faded," he shared.

Muhammad Natiq travels from Mahoba each year, finding special meaning when Ramadan overlaps with Holi. "It's the holy month of Ramadan, and it's the occasion of Holi," he explained, noting how the saint's message moved him to return annually.

The Ripple Effect

In a time when religious divisions often dominate headlines, Deva Sharif offers a different narrative. The celebration shows what's possible when communities choose shared joy over separation.

Participants consciously set aside differences, focusing instead on mutual respect and coexistence. The colors that settle on faces and clothes also settle into memory, binding communities together.

For centuries, this custom has endured, proving that unity isn't just an ideal but a lived reality.

What began at one shrine continues to inspire visitors who carry the message of harmony back to their own communities, spreading hope one colorful celebration at a time.