Nagore Kandoori festival begins

The 460th annual Kandoori festival has commenced at nearby Nagore Dargah, a famous Muslim pilgrim centre, with the hoisting of the holy flag.
The 14-day long festival began last night after the holy flag was brought in a procession and hoisted, head of the Dargah Committee Syed Mohammed Kalifa said.
The Kandoori festival is held to commemorate the death anniversary of 16th century saint Hazrath Syed Shahul Hameed Quadir Wali, who migrated from his native Manickapur near Allahabad in Uttar Pradesh and lived in Nagore till his death.
Flags were also hoisted on top of the five minarets of the 500-year old Dargah after prayers by Muttawalli Mastan Saheb.

The main event of the festival -- 'Sandanakoodu'(sandal pot) procession -- will be held on Mar 9, Kalifa said.
Nagapattinam District Collector S Pazhanisamy said all arrangements, including security, sanitation, medical facilities and transportation, were in place for the smooth conduct of the festival.

Situated four kms north of Nagapattinam, Nagore is an important Muslim pilgrim centre in the country.
Saint Hazrath Syed Shahul Hameed came to Thanjavur on a pilgrimage during the 16th century AD when he cured the illness of the then King of Thanjavur Achuthappa Naicken.
The King gifted the saint lands in Nagore where the latter lived for the rest of his life serving people, irrespective of religion, caste or creed.

After he passed away at the age of 68, his body was entombed at Nagore.