Nagore Dargah
நாகூர் தர்கா
The shrine of the 16th-century Sufi saint Shahul Hameed, known as Nagore Andavar, on the Coromandel coast. Five minarets rise over the tomb, one of them built by a Hindu Maratha king, and Hindus and Muslims come here side by side.
Then & Now
Nagore Dargah through the centuries
2026 Today
A gilded dome and five minarets above the tomb; pigeons, prayers and the sandalwood procession of the Kanduri festival.
Heritage Passport
Stamp No. 37 ௩௭
In your passport
Be within 500 m of the monument to collect this stamp.
Sign in to collectThe saint of Nagore
Syed Shahul Hameed, a Sufi of the Qadiri order, travelled from north India by way of the Maldives and Sri Lanka and settled in the coastal town of Nagore in the 16th century. Devotees called him Nagore Andavar, the master of Nagore. The best-known story tells how he cured a Nayak king of Thanjavur of a mysterious illness by finding a pigeon stuck with pins in the palace and freeing it; devotees still release pigeons at the dargah. The grateful king is said to have granted land, on which the shrine was later built over the saint's tomb.
Five minarets
The dargah grew with gifts from people of many faiths. Its five minarets surround a gilded dome over the tomb chamber, and the tallest minaret was built by Pratap Singh, the Maratha ruler of Thanjavur (1739-1763). A tank in the courtyard is used for ablutions, and the walls of the shrine are hung with silver and brass votive offerings.
The Kanduri festival
The biggest event is the Kanduri festival, the saint's death anniversary (urs), which lasts about two weeks. Its high point is the sandalwood procession through the town at night, when sandal paste is carried to the tomb. Nagore lies just north of Nagapattinam, a short drive from Velankanni, and pilgrims often visit both in a day.
Timeline
1500s
Shahul Hameed settles at Nagore
1500s
A Nayak king of Thanjavur grants land to the saint's followers
1700s
Pratap Singh builds the tallest minaret
Today
Pilgrims of all faiths; Kanduri festival every year
Key Facts
Gallery
Experience in AR
View this heritage site in augmented reality on your phone
Visiting etiquette
- Dress
- Dress modestly: long trousers or a veshti and a shirt for men, and a saree, salwar or long skirt for women. Women are usually expected to cover their heads in the tomb area, and men may be asked to as well; carrying a scarf helps.
- Footwear
- Remove footwear before entering the dargah compound; there are stands at the gates.
- Photography
- Photography is usually fine in the outer courtyard. Don't photograph inside the tomb chamber or people at prayer without asking.
- Entry
- Visitors of all faiths are welcome. Access to the inner tomb chamber may be restricted at certain times or for women; follow the attendants' guidance.
- Timings
- The dargah is open daily. Prayer times, the opening of the tomb chamber and crowds during the Kanduri festival vary, so check locally.
- Offerings
- Flowers, chaddar (cloth covers) and sugar are typical offerings, sold at stalls near the entrance. Some devotees release pigeons in memory of the saint's best-known miracle.
- Behaviour
- Keep your voice low and don't walk in front of people at prayer. Please don't touch the tomb unless an attendant invites you to, and give way to pilgrims during the sandalwood procession.
Visitor Information
Visiting Hours
Open daily; prayer times and access to the tomb chamber vary, so check locally
Best Time to Visit
October to March; the Kanduri festival for the sandalwood procession
Location
Open in OpenStreetMap
உவப்பத் தலைக்கூடி உள்ளப் பிரிதல்
அனைத்தே புலவர் தொழில்.
You meet with joy, with pleasant thought you part; Such is the learned scholar's wondrous art!
A kural on learning
Chapter 40 · Learning
Book: Wealth
Uvappath Thalaikkooti Ullap Piridhal / Anaiththe Pulavar Thozhil
English: G. U. Pope (1886), public domain