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Erwadi Dargah
Erwadi Dargah is situated in Erwadi village of Ramnathapuram district, Tamil Nadu in the southern part of India. This location is the place where the grave and shrine of Qutbul Sultan Syed Ibrahim Shaheed Badusha has been established. Shaheed Badhusha was a ruler of Madinah Al Munawwara, who undertook voyage to spread Islam in India. He was martyred while establishing his mission by undertaking wars with Tamil kingdoms at Madurai.
Erwadi Dargah is located on the sea shore in between Keelakarai and Valinokkam, both coming under the Kadaladi taluk of Ramnathapuram district, the town being popular only for the shrine of Hazrat Sultan Syed Ibrahim Shaheed Badusha radiyallahta’alaanhu.
Large number of Muslim pilgrims visits this place throughout the year. However, the most popular Santhanakootu Urus festival is conducted during the month of Dhu al-Qa'dah, the eleventh month of Islamic calendar, which is a grand festival going on for about 30 days.
History
During 12th Century, Al Qutbul Hamidwal Gausul Majid Badhusha Hazrat Sulthan Syed Ibrahim Shaheed Radiyalla Ta'alaanhu, the descendant of Prophet Mohammad, who was ruling Madinah came to India to Sindh, now with Pakistan and started spreading Islam in India. Shaheed Badusha came for a second time landed at Kannur in Kerala, then travelled via Kayalpatnam, Vaipar, Madurai and ultimately in Bouthiramnickapattinam, which is now called Erwadi.
In his attempt to convert Pandian Kings to Islam, he ended up in a war with Vikrama Pandian. All the family members of Shaheed Badushah were killed, although ultimately Shaheed Badushah won the war killing Vikrama Pandian. He established his kingdom in Bouthiramnickapattinam ruling that province for 12 years and spreaded Islam in Tamil region.
After 12 years, Tamil kingdom recaptured the throne from Shaheed Badusha, who was assassinated, however, on a peace treaty, Arabs were to rule Bouthiramnickapattinam, while Ramnathapuram would come under Pandian kingdom. Sethupathy generation started ruling Ramnathapuram from then on.
Erwadi dargah was thereafter established over the graves of Emperor Sulthan Syed Ibrahim Shaheed Badusha and his family members. There are holy graves of other important Shuhadaas and in laws of Badusha Sulthan Syed Ibrahim Shaheed which are places of importance in Erwadi Dargah. In the main Dargah campus, there is a mosque which can accommodate 10,000 pilgrims at a time during the holy prayer service conducted every year. The single mammoth minaret around 250 feet high is a unique feature of Erwadi Dargah. This minaret is visible from any of the shores of Ramnathapuram District and so it acts as a kind of lighthouse to the fishermen in the nearby areas.
After the Dargah was formed and Mujavir Mohamed Ibrahim Nalla Ibrahim bava settled in Erwadi, large number of pilgrims started visiting Erwadi sharif. Among the various important visitors, Raghunatha Sethupathy of Ramnathapuram kingdom got the grace of the Dargah and was blessed with a progeny. As gratitude, he gifted 6666 acres of land to Erwadi Dargah.
Santhanakootu Urus festival
The observation of Santhanakootu Urs festival at Erwadi is unique and very popular among devotees, which goes on for 30 days in several stages.
- Moulidu sharif begins at the main Maqbara of Erwadi Dargah on the first day of Dhu al Qa’dah in every Hijri year. This ritual is observed continuously for 23 days with Isha’s prayers in between.
- Next comes the Installation of Adi Maram (Lower trunk) on Dhu al Qa’dah 9th day evening, when a Quran recital is rendered in which the entire assembly would participate.
- On 10th day, the Holy flag hoisting (Kodiyetru Vizha) event occurs.
- Next is presenting full view of the Victory Flag, which is brought over an elephant, where large number of devotees from the entire part of the country participates, making this event an important stage of Santhanakoodu festival.
- On the 22nd day of Dhu al Qa’dah, the procession proceeds from Erwadi Kudiruppu, the residential section of Mujavirs to reach the Dargah sharif location before Maghreb prayers begin. The shadhilitariqazikrhalqamajlis (Hazra) is then observed in the Mosque at the dargah campus.
- Finally, the important stage of Sandal smearing on the holy grave is performed on the 23rd day of Dhu al Qa’dah, when the 23rd day moulid sharif starts exactly at 12.00 am and ends at 3:00 am with a grand Dhuaa pleading for Shaheed Badusha’s mercy. Sandal paste brought in 3 pots from Erwadi in and after observing a grand Dhuaa is smeared upon the Rauza Mubarak of Shaheed. The sandal paste is religiously anointed on the Rauza of Hazrat Qutub Syed Abootahir Shaheed and also on the Rauza of Seyyida Fathima Al Barqaradiyallah Ta'alaanha, who was Shaheed Badusha’s mother.
- Finally, the event of dismounting of the Holy Flag (KodiIrakkam) is conducted on the 30th day of Dhu al Qa’dah month.
About 15 lakh devotees from all parts of India and other countries like Sri Lanka, Saudi Arabia, U.K., U.A.E. and Kuwait take part in this popular Santhanakoodu Urus festival at Erwadi Dargah sharif every year.
Nearby Attractions
There are quite a few Dargahs nearby places in Tamil Nadu, which include the Dargahs at Tirupparankundram, Manamadurai, Sundaramudayan, Valinokkam, Vaipar, Karseri, Meesal Keelavaneri, Melakkal Kanavai, Pallichandai, Mursal Ibrahim Dargah and Thiruvedagam.
How to Reach
Erwadi dargah is well connected by all means of transport, with good road conditions to reach the village, NH49 connecting Ramnathapuram and the East Coast Road just passes through this place.
Ramnathapuram Railway Station is well linked with all major destinations with Express and Superfast trains scheduled to this Station.
Madurai International Airport is the nearest airport for an air traveller to reach Erwadi Dargah.
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