Indo Islamic Heritage
The Dargha Takht‑i‑Suleman is well served by nearby transport: Cuttack Junction railway station (CTC) provides frequent train services across India; the Cuttack Netaji Bus Terminal (CNBT) offers state‑of‑the‑art bus facilities including dorms and eateries; and Biju Patnaik International Airport (BBI) in Bhubaneswar lies just 24–30 km away, providing options for both domestic and international air travel. ,
The Dargha Takht-i-Suleman is located in the highlands of the Ali Hills in Mauza Charinagal, Cuttack district, at an elevation of over 2,500 feet. Architecturally modest, the shrine comprises a single-room structure topped with a cupola. It also features a raised platform enclosed by a low barrier, with an opening on the northern side, allowing pilgrims to stand and offer their respects. Built in 1724 A.D., the shrine was commissioned by Shuja-ud-Din Muhammad Khan, a regional official during the reign of Noushid Quli Khan I, who ruled Odisha. The builder’s name is engraved on the structure itself, marking its historical authenticity. The site also includes a sloped terrain designed to host saints and accommodate pilgrims, as well as a holy water chamber located opposite the shrine. The shrine’s spiritual significance is rooted in a tale involving a pious Ulema named Suleman, who reached the mountain’s peak and began practicing Hamaj (spiritual recitation) in the jungle. An Islamic sepoy later spotted a banner atop the hill and vowed that if victorious in war, he would contribute to the saint’s cause. Upon his victory, the Takht-i-Suleman shrine was constructed in fulfillment of that vow. The maintenance of the shrine was supported by land grants from Shuja-ud-Din Muhammad Khan, Noushid Quli Khan I, and Raja Januji Bhonsla. These lands were given to Muslim religious communities for charitable use, and the income generated was spent on the upkeep of the shrine, religious ceremonies (Fatiha, Shrini), and hospitality for pilgrims. To this day, the shrine attracts devotees who come to pay homage to the revered saint Suleman.
Year of Built: 17th - 18th Century
Address: The Dargah is situated on the Alti hills, specifically on a mountain top at an altitude of 2500 feet, within the mouza Charinangal.
Country: India
State: Odisha
District: Cuttack
Pincode: 0
Longitude: 85.88° E
Latitude: 20.46° N