A.R. Rahman reaches in auto for Kanduri festival

Rahman reaches in auto for Kanduri festival Renowned music maestro AR Rahman graced the Nagore Dargah in Nagapattinam to partake in the celebrated Kandhuri Festival.

In a humble gesture, the Oscar award-winning musician arrived at the venue in an auto-rickshaw, exuding simplicity and humility. Clad in a maroon kurta, Rahman's presence added a touch of grace to the auspicious occasion.

The Kandhuri Festival, also known as the Nagore Dargah Festival, spans 14 days, coinciding with the first to the fourteenth day of the death anniversary of Saint Shahul Hamid during the Islamic month of Jamathul Aagir.

Saint Hazrath Syed Shahul Hamid, a revered 13th-generation descendant of Saint Sufi, gained prominence for healing the physical ailment of Thanjavur's 16th-century Hindu king Achuthappa Nayak. This historical significance attracts the unique participation of Hindu devotees during the Kandhuri Festival.

The festival commences with the ceremonial hoisting of a sacred flag, carried by chariots to the Nagore Dargah. From the second to the seventh day, holy saints engage in Quranic readings and various prayers. Devotees gather to witness the manifestation of the Light of Allah within the Dargah.

The eighth day marks a spectacular fireworks display, serving both to heighten the festive ambiance and symbolize the triumph of truth over falsehood.

On the ninth day of Jamaidul Akhir, Fakirs visit Hazarath Mohsin's meditation site, known as the "Peer Mandapam." Devotees initiate a holy fast for the ensuing three days.

The tenth day features a grand chariot procession carrying sandalwood paste. The Rawla Shariff and the Great Saint's tomb receive an anointment with the sacred paste upon entering the premises.

Ending the fast initiated on the ninth day, devotees conclude the festival on the eleventh day. Throughout the 14 days, the recitation of the Al Quran's messages bestows blessings upon the Great Soul.

The flags and lights are ceremoniously taken down at the festival's conclusion, leaving behind the enduring spiritual light of the Nagore Dargah. AR Rahman's participation adds a poignant musical note to the sacred tradition, blending cultural richness and spiritual resonance.