The term ‘Auliya’ descended from ‘Oli’, which means Friend/ Creator’s friend. Basically, "Auliya" (plural of "Wali") refers to the "friends of God" or "saints". They are individuals who are close to God, characterized by their piety, righteousness, and close connection to Him.

Several centuries ago, 12 ‘Olis’ and Sufis came from Chattogram to Panchagarh. They built a monastery in Panchagarh’s Mirzapur area to spread Islam. When they died they were buried here. Later, a shrine was established to commemorate them. They were: Hemayet Ali Shah (R.A.), Niamat Ullah Shah (R.A.), Keramat Ali Shah (R.A.), Azhar Ali Shah (R.A.), Hakim Ali Shah (R.A.), Mansur Ali Shah (R.A.), Mominul, Shah (R.A.), Sheikh Garibullah (R.A.), Amjad Ali Molla (R.A.), Farizuddin Akhtar (R.A.), Shah Moktar Ali (R.A.) and Shah Aliullah (R.A.).

According to myths, 2 tigers and 2 snakes always guarded this shrine and when someone entered the temple with evil intentions, the two tigers would come out. There’s also a saying that these 12 sufis had spiritual powers.

In 1990, the Baro Auliya Shrine was expanded by the Panchagarh district administration and the district council, and gradually a cemetery, pond, mosque, madrasa and orphanage were built in the surrounding area. Every year, on the last Thursday of the month of Baishakh, Urosh Mubarak, Waz Mahfil, Quran Khani and Tobarak distribution are organized in the premises of the Baro Auliya Shrine. After that, lacs of religious people come from different parts of the country. Apart from Urosh, many people come to this shrine every day with various vows.

How to go:

Baro Auliya Mazar Sharif is located in the middle of the Panchagarh-Atowari road. It is located 15 kilometers apart from Panchagarh and 9 kilometers from Atwari.

To visit this shrine, first you have to come from Panchagarh Sadar towards the southwest (if you want to use public transport, you have to take a bus from Panchagarh Sadar to Atwari 9 kilometers) to Mirzapur Union, then 1 kilometer south of Mirzapur Bazar adjacent to Mirzapur Union Parishad, you will see the gate of Mazar Sharif on the left side.