By Syed Ali Mujtaba
Chennai: The two week long long annual Kandoori festival at the famous Nagore Durgah at Nagapatinam in Tamil Nadu commenced on Saturday with the hoisting of the the holy flag. Nagore Durgah is highly revered by the south indian Muslims and is considrred to be the Ajmer of South India.
The Dargah is the mortal abode of Sufi Saint Hazrath Syed Shahul, known to be the 23rd descendant of Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him). His death anniversary is celebrated as Kandoori festival.
This festival attracts thousands of devotees from various parts of India and from countries like Myanmar, Sri Lanka and the Gulf.
The highlight of the festival is the participation of Hindus in large numbers. Along with their Muslim brethren, Hindus take a holy dip in the ‘peer kulam’ (the durgah pond). The water of this pond is considered to have curative value.
The main event, the ‘Sandanakoodu’ procession, will start from Nagapattinam on June 25 by 8.30 pm and reach Nagore the same night.
The anointment of sandal at the durgah will be performed in the early morning of June 26 and ‘fathiha’ will be performed on June 29.
The festival will conclude with the dismantling of the holy flag.