A Shaheed Shrine is a building constructed to commemorate and show respect to a saint.[1]
In Punjabi folk cosmology, the universe is divided into three realms[2]:
| English | Punjabi | Inhabitants |
|---|---|---|
| Sky | Akash | Dev Lok (Angels) |
| Earth | Dharti | Matlok (Humans) |
| Underworld | Naglok | Nagas (Serpents) |
Devlok is the realm of the gods, saints and ancestors, existing in akash, the sky.
A Shaheed can be martyred and hence achieve sainthood or can become a saint in the afterlife.
Although not part of organised religion, Shaheed Shrines only form part of Sikh and Muslim Folk Religion. However, such shrines are respected by all faiths.
Sikhs prefer to use the term Shaheed "jaggah" whereas Muslims also use the term dargah or mazaar for such shrines if the shrine is near a grave. Muslim Shaheed Shrines typically represent Sufi saints.
The Hindus equivalent of Shaheeds are Siddhs of the Siddha tradition. Siddha shrines are either referred to as Mandirs or Samadhs.