The Neja Mela, now banned by the Sambhal administration for celebrating a ‘cruel invader’, was a three-day fair that attracted both Hindus and Muslims.
Special flags were flown at three shrines during this celebration held in memory of Syed Salar Masud Ghazi. The word neja means flag.
Ghazi was the nephew of Mahmud Ghazni and a 12th generation descendent of the prophet’s uncle. His mother was the sister of Mahmud Ghazni, the ruler of the Ghaznavid Empire (from 997 to 1030 AD) who invaded India 17 times and plundered Somnath for wealth, killing hundreds of thousands.
One widely believed account of the 11th century Ghazi’s life is that he was a warrior saint, who had grown disillusioned at the plunder of Somnath, and returned to Ghazni to devote himself to a life of service to the Almighy and humankind. He was somewhat of a prodigy, having completed the highest level of education by the age of 10. His uncle’s fondness for him made him an eyesore for many.
His well-wishers, sensing danger to his life in Ghazni, asked him to return to India, where he had been born in Ajmer. Once back, he was offered the throne of Delhi which he refused declaring that he would only fight for the glory of the Almighty.
He would however continue to fight wars against the ‘infidels’ in what is now central and eastern Uttar Pradesh. A further loss of life, including that of his teacher, drove him to give up war completely and retreat to the forests outside the town of Bahraich. Here, living a life of devotion, he attracted numerous followers. He is also considered a champion of lepers. A bath in the waters surrounding his shrine is believed to cure skin ailments.
His dargah in Bahraich, built by Firoz Shah Tughlaq, has long been revered by both Hindus and Muslims. His death anniversary is celebrated for three days in the seventh month of the Islamic calendar.
The Neja Mela, which now stands cancelled, was renamed the Sadbhavna Mela two years ago as it was meant to promote communal harmony.