hazrath Qamar Ali Shah Dervish in Shivapur near Pune

Hazrat Qamar Ali Darvesh ( Rahmathullahi Alaih ) Eight hundred years ago, a Muslim family consisting of a father, mother and son, arrived from the West of India to live in the nearby village of Darodi. At that time a gymnasium existed on the spot where the shrine now stands. Two large stones were used by wrestlers for exercise purposes. A group of men would surround a stone and lift it to strengthen their hands, wrists and forearms. The boy's parents insisted that their son visit the gymnasium and indulge in the manly sports. But the boy, Qamar Ali Darvesh, was not like the others. The young boy's interests lay in other directions. He exhibited a hypersensitive nature and appeared to possess strange paranormal powers even at an early age. Being the `outcast' of the gymnasium he continually suffered the mockery of the other members. His lack of interest in competitive sport plus his physical inadequacy branded him a `weakling' in the eyes of the more athletically minded. "You think I'm stupid and weak... that I'm not capable of being like you" he one day replied. "Let me tell you this. With all your strength you will not be able to lift the rocks in the manner I prescribe unless you repeat my name".Hazrat Qamar Ali Darvesh then proclaimed that the large rock could be raised with just eleven finger tips touching it, but only if his name was loudly called. Likewise, the smaller rock could be raised by using nine finger tips. From that day forward the stones could be raised in the prescribed manner only by applying that formula.The curious may wonder also why the rocks have not been vandalised or removed from the temple enclosure. Stories state that over the years many have tried to do exactly that. Those who have attempted to desecrate a holy place have always met with disaster. In the valley just below the shrine water spurts from a wall of rock which forms the source of a series of baths. The water contains healing properties and pilgrims use the baths regularly. two large stones, rounded in contour, sit close to each other. A group of men (no women are allowed to partake) will approach either of the stones. The largest, weighing about 70 kilograms, requires 11 men. The other, slightly less in weight, needs nine men, no more, no less, to surround it. The tip of the index finger of the right hand is then used to touch the rock around the line of its horizontal circumference. When the name of the saint is voiced in unison, holding the lst syllable as long as possible without running out of breath -- "Qamar Ali Darve-e-e-e-e-e-sh" the giant rock suddenly springs to life and ascends into the air to a height of approximately two metres and remains in that position until the partakers run out of breath. Then it plummets to the earth with a dull, heavy thud. If these conditions are not met, the rock will not budge from its position on the ground. To lift the stone Elevn people should say the name Qamar Ali Darvesh pointing eleven fingers to the stone. Other than the name of the sufi saint the stones cannot be lifted. This is the miracle even today at dargah sharief.