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Location
: Nagore, Nagapattinam District, Tamil Nadu
Fine Example Of: Harmonious Co-Existence Of
Hindu - Muslim Communities
Spiritual Shrine Of: Meeran Sahib Abdul
Qadir Shahul Hamid Badshah
Important Festivals Celebrated: Kandhuri
Urs
The Nagore Dargah
of Meeran Sahib Abdul Qadir Shahul Hamid Badshah is a spiritual shrine
in South India. It is one of the popular pilgrimage centers for Muslims
in Tamil Nadu. A short drive from Nagapattinam, Nagore makes for a busy
pilgrimage, with busloads of tourists arriving from all over the state.
The Dargah features beautiful domed arches and lovely minarets. The
Dargah is visited by Hindus also and is a fine example of the harmonious
co-existence of Hindu - Muslim communities.
About The Dargah
The Nagore Dargah
shrines are situated at three locations, Nagore, Vanjur and Silladi. The
main campus is at Nagore, spread over an area of about five acres, which
is enclosed by a compound wall, with four impressive entrances, one each
on the north, south, east and west. In front of the western gate, just
outside the compound, is a large tower, 131 feet tall, called 'Periya
Minara'. Nagore Dargah literature discloses that Tanjore King Pratap
Singh built 'Periya Minara' around 1760 AD, about 200 years after the
death of Meeran Sahib. He is said to have built it in appreciation of
having received the grace of Meeran Sahib.
The Main Compound
Inside the
compound of the main campus, the golden dome building houses three tombs
in three separate chambers. The doors of these chambers are made of
silver. In the tombs lay buried the mortal remains of Meeran Sahib, his
son Syed Mohammed Yusuf and his daughter-in-law Saeeda Sultana Biwi.
Aside the tomb of
Meeran Sahib is placed a golden box. The contents of the golden box
unexpectedly are a pair of wooden slippers, believed to have been used
by Meeran Sahib. The legend says that, once a carpenter suffering from
disease approached Meeran Sahib requesting him to cure him, which Meeran
Sahib reportedly did by the grace of Allah. The gratified carpenter made
from the finest wood a pair of slippers.
Adjacent to the
golden dome building is the 'Peer Mandap' where the 'Peer of the Dargah'
stays fasting for three days during festive season of the Dargah.
Further away is a mosque where prayers are held regularly. Friday
congregations in this Mosque are massive. About 2-km away due north from
the main campus is the Vanjur Shrine where Meeran Sahib reportedly
stayed in meditation for 40 days inside an underground cave. About a
kilometre east of the main campus is located the Silladi Shrine,
overlooking the Bay of Bengal.
Hindu Rituals
Followed At The Dargah
The Nagore shrine
is interesting, with strong Hindu influences in both architecture and
rituals. Many rituals, like applying sandal wood paste, holy water,
prasadam (blessed items collected after worship) and tonsuring the head
are borrowed from the Hindu tradition. This is also apparent in the
playing of 'Nadashwaram' and 'Shehnai' (Indian wind instruments) music.
The Festival
Every year,
during the lunar month of Jumada al-Thani, the Nagore Dargah Shrines
celebrate a festive season known as 'Kandhuri Urs'. Pilgrims, including
non-Muslims, from far and wide come for 'Ziyarat'. It is obnoxiously
painful to note that the votaries worship him, instead of respecting and
revering him. Kandhuri Urs marks the death anniversary of Meeran Sahib.
The Urs commences
on the first of Jumada-al-Akhira' when pilgrims assemble at Meera Pally
(17th century mosque) in Nagapattinam. They proceed towards Nagore in
procession with a Rath that carries flags of the Dargah. On reaching
Nagore Dargah Complex, the flags are hoisted marking the inauguration of
Kandhuri Urs.
Votaries of
Meeran Sahib start performing their troth (pledged word). On the tenth
day a grand procession again starts at Nagapattinam; this time from 'Koottadi',
an open ground solely retained for this festivity. The procession
carries Koodu, a pot containing Sandalwood paste. The procession ends at
the tomb of Meeran Sahib and the sandal paste is spread over his tomb.
On the fourteenth day the flags are quietly pulled down marking the end
of the festive season.
HOW TO GET THERE
Air: The nearest
airport is at Trichy, at a distance of 150-km.
Rail: The nearest
railway station is at Nagapattinam, at a distance of 4-km from the
Dargah.
Road: There are
regular buses to Nagore from Nagapattinam (4-km), Karaikal (12-km),
Thanjavur (78-km), Chennai (90-km) and other neighbouring cities and
towns.
WHERE TO STAY
Accommodation is
available at the moderate class and small budgeted hotels and lodges in
Nagapattinam.
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