Athankarai Dargah
| Athankarai Dargah | |
|---|---|
ஆத்தங்கரை தர்கா | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Sunni Islam |
| Sect | Sufism |
| Festivals |
|
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Dargah and mosque |
| Status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | Athankarai Pallivasal, Tirunelveli district, Tamil Nadu |
| Country | India |
Location of the mosque and dargah in Tamil Nadu | |
| Coordinates | 8°15′44″N 77°48′01″E / 8.26216°N 77.80038°E |
| Architecture | |
| Type | Mosque architecture |
| Style | Indo-Islamic |
| Dome | 2 |
Athankarai Dargah (Tamil: ஆத்தங்கரை தர்கா), also known as Athankarai Pallivasal, is a prominent Sufi dargah and mosque located in Athankarai Pallivasal village in Tirunelveli district, Tamil Nadu, India. The shrine is known for its annual Kanthuri/Kanduri festival, a major regional religious event attracting thousands of devotees.[1]
Description
The dargah's two domes mark the tombs traditionally attributed to Sufi saints Hazrat Syed Ali Fathima (Rali) and her Hazrat Shegu Muhammad (Oli). The complex functions as both a mosque and a shrine, serving the spiritual needs of the surrounding Muslim community and pilgrims from across southern Tamil Nadu.[2] Syed Ali Fathima is also called Fathimasa bibi or Athangarai Nachiyar Amma.[3]
Local tradition highlights the site as a place of solace for those seeking spiritual healing and blessings.[4]
Kanthuri/Kanduri Festival
The annual Kanthuri/Kanduri festival is the principal celebration at Athankarai Dargah. It typically spans two days and includes Quran recitation sessions, flag hoisting ceremonies (kodi yeṟṟuthal), processions, Mawlid chanting, and lectures by Islamic scholars.[5] The festival draws large crowds from Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, and Kanyakumari districts.[6]
Evening gatherings often include devotional songs, community supplications (duʿā), and distribution of neerchchai (blessed water).[7]
See also
References
- ^ "Athankarai Pallivasal". Tamil Nadu Tourism. Government of Tamil Nadu. Retrieved 15 January 2026.
- ^ "Athankarai Pallivasal". Yappe. Retrieved 15 January 2026.
- ^ "Fathimasa Bibi: Meet this woman Sufi Saint of India". Retrieved 15 January 2026.
- ^ "திசையன்விளை ஆத்தங்கரை பள்ளிவாசல் ஹசரத் சையதலி பாத்திமா, ஹசரத் சேகு முகம்மது தர்கா". Maalaimalar (in Tamil). Retrieved 15 January 2026.
- ^ மலர், மாலை (2022-10-20). "ஆத்தங்கரை பள்ளிவாசல் கந்தூரி விழா வருகிற 23-ந்தேதி நடக்கிறது | Athankarai Pallivasal Kanthuri Festival on 23rd". www.maalaimalar.com (in Tamil). Retrieved 2026-01-14.
- ^ மலர், மாலை (2019-11-20). "திசையன்விளை அருகே ஆத்தங்கரை பள்ளிவாசல் கந்தூரி விழா 24-ந்தேதி நடக்கிறது | athankarai pallivasal dargah santhanakoodu on 24th". www.maalaimalar.com (in Tamil). Retrieved 2026-01-14.
- ^ "Distribution of gifts at the Ganduri festival". Daily Thanthi. Retrieved 15 January 2026.