NAGORE DARGAH
Fine Example Of: Harmonious Co-Existence Of Hindu - Muslim Communities
Spiritual Shrine Of: Meeran Sahib Abdul Qadir Shahul Hamid Badshah
Festival: 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 features of the Dargah include beautiful domed arches and lovely
minarets. The Dargah is also visited by Hindus and is a fine example of
the harmonious co-existence of Hindu - Muslim communities.
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 Inside Look
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, Prasada (blessed items collected after worship) and tonsuring
the head are borrowed from the Hindu tradition. This is also apparent in
the playing of 'Nadaswaram' 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 hotels in Nagapattinam.
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