Indo Islamic Heritage
Aastana E Sufi Syed Akhtar Gul Ashraf Ashrafi Jilani Kichauchawi, located in Ashrafpur Kichhauchha, Ambedkar Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, is a revered Sufi shrine associated with the Ashrafi Sufi order. It serves as a spiritual center for devotees of the Chishti and Qadiri lineages, attracting pilgrims seeking blessings and solace. The site features a mosque and is part of the larger complex near the historic Dargah of Sultan Syed Makhdoom Ashraf Jahangir Semnani.
The Aastana E Sufi Syed Akhtar Gul Ashraf Ashrafi Jilani Kichauchawi stands as a significant Islamic site within the historic Sufi landscape of Ashrafpur Kichhauchha, a town renowned for its deep-rooted spiritual heritage in Uttar Pradesh. This shrine honors Syed Akhtar Gul Ashraf Ashrafi Jilani, a prominent contemporary Sufi saint from the esteemed Ashrafi family, descendants of the 14th-century Iranian Sufi master Sultan Syed Makhdoom Ashraf Jahangir Semnani, the founder of the Ashrafi Sufi order. Semnani, born in 1285 CE in Semnan, Iran, and passing in 1386 CE (808 AH) in Kichhauchha, established this Chishti-Qadiri branch after abdicating his throne and migrating to India, where he propagated Sufi teachings of divine love, unity, and peace. His original dargah, built shortly after his demise in 1386 CE on a small hill surrounded by a pond and adorned with marble, tiles, and glass, forms the core of the area's sacred complex and draws millions of visitors annually, irrespective of faith. Syed Akhtar Gul Ashraf Ashrafi Jilani, often referred to as Sufi Syed Gul Ashrafi, was a direct spiritual heir in this lineage, continuing the traditions of the Ashrafi silsila (chain of succession). As a scholar and spiritual guide in the Ahl-e-Sunnat wal Jamaat tradition, he emphasized Islamic jurisprudence, Sufi mysticism, and devotion, much like his forebears, including Syed Mohammed Mukhtar Ashraf (Sarkar-e-Kalan, 1916–1996) and Syed Mohammad Izhar Ashraf (1934–2012). The aastana, functioning primarily as a mosque and shrine, was established in 2020 following his passing, serving as a place for prayer, reflection, and Urs celebrations. The 4th Urs in 2024, held on 12 Muharram 1446 AH (19 July 2024), featured qawwali performances and gatherings, underscoring its role in fostering communal harmony and spiritual elevation. The mosque within the aastana complex embodies traditional Islamic architecture, with spaces for congregational prayers and Sufi discourses, reflecting the site's emphasis on tawheed (divine oneness) and sama (spiritual music) as outlined in Semnani's seminal work, Lataif-e-Ashrafi.
Year of Built: Not Available
Address: CQF7+9GQ, Kichhauchha, Uttar Pradesh 224155
Country: India
State: Uttar Pradesh
District: Ambedkar Nagar
Pincode: 224155
Longitude: 82.9500° E
Latitude: 26.3800° N