Location: Garurachal Hill, HajoDedicated To: Pir Giasuddin Auliya
Built By: Mohammed Shah
Built In: 1657 AD
Standing atop the Garurachal Hill, just adjacent to the Madhava Temple, is the much renowned shrine of the Muslims - Powa Mecca (1/4th Mecca). The most famous Muslim pilgrimage spot in Assam, it noted as the tomb of Pir Giasuddin Auliya, who was the pioneer of Islam in this part of the world. This mosque was built by Sujauddin Mohammed Shah in 1657 AD, during the reign of the renowned Mughal Emperor, Shahjahan.
It is said that Powa Mecca was constructed from the soil that was brought from the city of Mecca itself (Mecca is the holiest city for the Muslims and is located in the Saudi Arabia). The city contains the sacred Ka’ba and the people belonging to the Muslim community are required to make a hajj (a religious visit) to this place at least once in their lifetime. Since Powa Mecca contains the soil from Mecca, it is revered by Muslims all the more.
It is a wide belief that a visit to Powa Mecca in Hajo confers one-fourth of the merits that one can obtain from a pilgrimage to Mecca itself. As such, the place remains crowded by pilgrims and devotees all round the year, thus making Hajo an important tourist spot of Assam. Apart from the Muslims, the Hindu pilgrims of the region also visit the shrine, especially on the full moon day of the month of Jaistha. So, on a visit to Hoja, make sure to visit the Powa Mecca as well.
