The Nagore Dargah of Meeran Sahib Abdul Qadir Shahul Hamid Badshah is a spiritual and scared shrine in South India . It is one of the biggest popular pilgrimage centers for Muslims in Tamil Nadu. It can be reached through a short drive from Nagapattinam, Nagore seems to be a busy pilgrimage, with bus-loads of tourists arriving from all over the state. The features of this famous 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. Nagore Dargah is an important and revered pilgrimage place in Nagore. This Muslim shrine is dedicated to Meeran Sahib Abdul Qadir Shahul Hamid Badshah. This dargah attracts thousands of devotees all through the year Tamil Nadu adventure tours. The structure of the Dargah is attractive with domed arches and lovely minarets. The largest tower has a height of 131 ft and is known as ‘Periya Minara’. There are five minarets and a water tank known as Peer Kulam. It is believed that the water in this tank has curative powers.
History of Nagore Dargah
The World Famous Muslim Pilgrim centre Nagore Dargah Located in INDIA / Tamil Nadu ( South India ). The Dargah is Famous because of Hazrath SYED SHAHUL HAMEED QADIRI ( QADIRI ) QADIR WALIHazrath SYED SHAHUL HAMEED QADIRI ( QADIRI ) QADIR WALI is direct 22nd Decentant of Halarath Syedina Shah Ahmed Mujthaba Muhammad Mustafa (Sallalahu Alaihi wassalam) And 9th Direct Decentant from Halarath Syed Mohideen Shaik Abdul kaadhir Jeelani bagdhahi Raliyallahu thaalanahu. Hazrath SYED SHAHUL HAMEED QADIRI ( QADIRI ) QADIR WALI – Mazhar sheriff Located in Nagore, South India- THE Dargah is located 78 km from Thanjavur / 300 KM from Chennai ( Madras _ . The tomb is almost MORE THAN 500 years old and is topped by a golden dome and flanked by 5 minarets. It is just 4 km to the north of Nagapattinam. Nagore (sometimes spelled Nagoor) is a town in the Nagapattinam District, Tamil Nadu, India. It is located approximately 4 km north of the city of Nagapattinam. Nagore has a population of approximately 30,000. A prominent five-acre dargah (Muslim shrine) dedicated to the 16th century saint Nagore Andavar (literally “the Lord of Andavar”; also popularly called Meeran Sahib or Qadir Wali) is located there, and serves as a pilgrim center. The 14-day Kandhuri Urs (also spelled Kandoori or Kandhoori) festival, dedicated to the saint, is held there annually.
Inside of the Dargah
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. 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. The Nagore shrine is interesting, with strong Hindu influences in both architecture and rituals. Many rituals followed here 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.
Festivals celebrated at Dargah
Every year here at the dargah 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’.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 reach the Dargah
- Through Airways- The nearest airport is at Trichy situated in Tamilnadu at a distance of 150-km from Nagore.
- Through Railways- The nearest railway station is at Nagapattinam, at a distance of 4-km from the Dargah.
- Through Roadways- 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. Nagore Dargah is a Awesome Place For Vacations.
