Nagore Dargah

[4] Shahul Hamid is believed to have performed many miracles in Nagore, and cured the physical affliction of king Achuthappa Nayak, a 16th-century Hindu ruler of Thanjavur.

Nagore dargah as it stands now, is believed to have been built by ardent devotees of Shahul Hamid, with major contribution from Hindus.

The dargah is a major pilgrimage centre that attracts pilgrims from both sufi Islam and Hinduism, symbolizing peaceful coexistence between the two religions.

The most prominent event celebrated at Nagore Dargah is the Kanduri festival (Urus Mubarak), a fourteen-day commemoration of the death anniversary of Shahul Hamid.

Common worship practices at Nagore dargah include the presentation of offerings, accompanied by the playing of musical instruments like nadaswaram, typical of Hindu religious tradition.

The governance and upkeep of the dargah are overseen by an 8-member board of trustees, which operates under a court-decreed scheme established by the Madras High Court.

Shahul Hameed Nagoori was born to Syed Hasan Kuthoos Kadiri and Beevi Fathima at Manikpur, in Pratapgarh district of Uttar Pradesh.

[7] He received an Islamic education at Gwalior under the guidance of Mohammad Ghouse; and left on a pilgrimage to Mecca and then moved to the Maldives, Sri Lanka, and then Tamil Nadu with his spiritual team.

[12][c] According to local legend, hagiographical texts and historical records, Shahul Hamid is believed to have cured a Hindu ruler of Thanjavur, king Achutappa Nayak (1529–1542 CE), of his physical affliction caused by sorcery.

Pratap Singh (1739–1763 CE), the Hindu Maratha ruler of Thanjavur prayed for a son and built the tallest of the five minarets (called Periya Manara locally) with a height of 131 ft (40 m) once his wish was fulfilled.

[12] During the last quarter of 18th century, when there was conflict between European powers, the Nawab of Arcot, the Maratha kings and Tipu Sultan of Mysore over Thanjavur region, the dargah was considered strategically important by all of them.

[14] The dargah has a gold-plated dome located on the west face outside the main entrance over the tombs of Shahul, his son Yusuf and his daughter-in-law Saeeda Sultana Biwi.

Silladi shrine is located 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) towards the east of main complex, facing the Bay of Bengal, where Shahul is believed to have offered daily prayers.

These two shrines along with the Masjid Jamae at Chulia in Singapore and the Keramat Data Koya in Penang are influenced by the architectural style of Nagore dargah.

On the 9th day of Jamathul Akhir month in the Islamic calendar, at 10 pm, a pir (one of the disciples) is chosen for the spiritual exercise of offering prayers to the saint.

[12][22][28] In the evening of the ninth day of Akhir month in the Islamic calendar, a chariot containing sandal paste (locally called santhanakoodu) is pulled across the streets of Nagore by pilgrims and devotees, accompanied by banging of instruments.

Devotees shave their heads near the tank and offer tin or silver-plated facsimiles of body parts, houses, sailboats matching their material needs.

The committee found that it is against the spirit of the provisions of the Act as the dargah is a surveyed and notified body under the Tamil nadu waqf board.

The administration and maintenance of the dargah was henceforth governed by a committee which operates under a scheme decreed by the Madras High Court.

The most important among them is Tirukkarana Puranam (1812) by Ceyk Aptul Kaatiru Nayinar Leppai Alim (also called Cekuna Pulavar) that details the life of the saint.

The Nakur Puranam, written by Kulam Katiru Navalar in 1893, describes the miracles performed by Shahul in the dargah after his death.

Entrance of the dargah
a close view of main minaret
The tallest minaret, 40 m (131 ft) high
The Holy stick, Vanjoor Dargah Shariff, Vanjore, Karaikal District, Puducherry.
The Holy stick, Vanjoor Dargah Shariff, Vanjore, Karaikal District, Puducherry.
Nagore Dargah Festival 2024 - Night View
Nagore Dargah Festival 2024 - Night View
a view of street with minaret in the background
image of Nagore dargah with two minarets in the background