NAGAPATTINAM: The 14-day-long annual Kandoori festival at the famous Nagore Dargah near here will commence on Monday, with the hoisting of the holy flag. The festival attracts thousands of devotees not only from various parts of the country, but also from countries like Myanmar, Sri Lanka and the Middle East.
The highlight of the festival is the participation of the Hindus in large numbers.
Along with Muslims, they take a holy dip in the ‘Peer kulam’ (dargah pond), which is believed to have curative properties. Besides, the Dargah itself stands as a symbol of communal harmony as it is situated in a land donated by a Hindu king. It has strong Hindu influences in both architecture and rituals.
Rituals like applying sandalwood paste, pouring holy water, tonsuring the head and usage of nadaswaram and shehnai resemble the Hindu traditions.
Situated four km north to Nagapattinam, Nagore is an important Muslim pilgrim centre. The Dargah of Saint Hazrath Syed Shahul Hameed Quadir Wali is more than 500-years-old. It has a golden dome, flanked by five minarets.
Saint Hazrath Syed Shahul Hameed, believed to be the 23rd descendant of Prophet Muhammad (Sal), was born in Manickapur, near Allahabad. When he came to Thanjavur on a pilgrimage, he cured the illness of the then king of Thanjavur - Achuthappa Naicken (16th century). The King gifted the saint lands in Nagore.
Saint Shahul Hameed lived there and spent the rest of his life, serving the people irrespective of religion, caste or creed. After he passed away at the age of 68, his body was entombed at Nagore.
The death anniversary of this Saint is celebrated as Kandoori festival for 14 days.
The most important event - the Santhanakoodu procession - will take place on June 3. The festival will conclude on June 7 with the dismounting of the holy flag.
The district administration and the hereditary trustees of the Dargah are making the arrangements.
TNSTC Kumbakonam unit has arranged special buses from various parts of the State to Nagore.