Nagore Dargah-Ajmer of South India
by church
A 30 minute drive-away from Queens Inn where divinity abounds. It’s a historic pilgrimage and artistic spot.
Nagore Dargah is a holy shrine located 4 km towards the north of Nagapattinam, in Nagore. The shrine of Nagore Dargah is 5 centuries old and attracts many people from different religions and communities, throughout the year.
The Dargah has a golden dome and is flanked by 5 minarets among which, the tallest one is 131 ft. high and is known as ‘Periya Minara’. There is a sacred water tank named Peer Kulam, which is believed to have curative powers.
The shrine is the mortal abode of Sufi saint, Hazrath Syed Shahul, who is said to be the 23rd descendant of Prophet Mohammed. The place is most visited at the time of the Kandoori Festival, which is celebrated as the death anniversary of the saint. The festival is generally celebrated in the month of May, for 14 days; however, the month changes according to the lunar calendar. There are three Nagore Dargah shrines situated at Nagore, Vanjur and Silladi.
Something more historic?
Shifa Gunta is a holy tank with stepped sides, located within the precincts of the dargah. As per a local legend, Shahul Hamid is believed to have brought an iron chain with him to Nagore to bind himself during severe austerities. The distinctive chain is identified as the one hanging from the ceiling above the tomb of Yusuf. Vanjur shrine and Silladi shrine, located outside the main complex, are associated with the Nagore Dargah. The Vanjur shrine is an underground cave located 2 km (1.2 mi) north of the main complex at Nagore. It is the place where Shahul is believed to have meditated for 40 days. Silladi shrine is located 1 km (0.62 mi) towards the east of main complex, facing the Bay of Bengal, where Shahul is believed to have offered daily prayers.
Qadir Wali Ke Fande –Kanduri Festival
Kanduri festival is a 14-day annual event celebrated during the urs (death anniversary) of the saint. The festival is celebrated in commemoration of the anniversary of the saint’s death, and pilgrims participate in the rituals and rites.A saffron flag-carrying ceremony is also observed. The flag is hoisted on a tree known as Fande ka. The disciple throws lemons at the end of the prayers on devotees, which is believed to provide miraculous relief to worldly sorrows.
The festival is also seen as a sacred exchange between Hindus and Muslims expressing solidarity of mixed faith in the region. In the evening of the ninth day of Akhir month in the Islamic calendar, a chariot containing sandal paste is pulled across the streets of Nagore by pilgrims and devotees, accompanied by banging of instruments.
Place of worshipfor various religious faiths
50–75 per cent of pilgrims visiting the dargah everyday are Hindus.The practise of offering flowers, sweat and food, the way of conducting worship, and playing musical instruments like nadaswaram are atypical of Hindu tradition. Other worship practises include offering flags and lighting lamps of ghee at the saint’s tomb.
Legend says….
As per a local legend, Shahul Hamidwas approached by a childless couple who informed them that they would be blessed with children but the first offspring would be presented to him to adopt. Following the tradition, many childless couple worship in the dargah.While the dargah is open throughout the day, the doors of the shrines are open only during early morning and evening.
Our friendly hotel staff will be helpful in making the necessary vehicle arrangements .
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