Thiruparankundram Dargah, Madurai
Thiruparankundram
Dargah is a Muslim religious and pilgrimage site located at the top of the Thiruparankundram
Hill in Thiruparankundram at outskirts of Madurai City in Madurai District of
Tamil Nadu. It is a famous Islamic dargah (shrine), with the grave of Islamic saint Sultan Sikandhar Badushah Shaheed.
History
Sultan Sikandhar Badhusha Shaheed:
Sikandhar
Badushah, who was the governor of Jeddah, came along with Sultan Syed Ibrahim Shaheed Badushah
who came to Tamil Nadu in
particular Ervadi from Madinah during the late 12th century.
Sikandhar Badhusha Rule in Madurai:
Badushah
Sultan Syed Ibrahim Shaheed Labswh of Erwadi won the Madurai province against
the King Thiru Pandiyan who refused to convert to Islam and made Sultan Sikandhar
Badushah the emperor of Madurai. King Tiru Pandiyan went to Tirupati, met all his friends and briefed them about the invasion of the Arabs. They helped him form a large troop.
War after Tirupandiyan's return:
After
forming a big and healthy troop to face the Arabs, King Thiru Pandiyan started
towards Madurai. The emperor, who was unaware about this turnaround,
concentrated in spreading Islam and in the welfare of the people rather than
strengthening the army. Thiru Pandiyan's strong army fought with Sultan
Sikandhar Badhusha vigorously. Thousands of soldiers were killed on both sides.
The Arabs needed more troops to face the Pandiyans. Sultan Sikandhar Badhusha
sent nine of his soldiers to inform Sultan Syed Ibrahim Shaheed the ruler of
Bouthiramanikkapattinam (now Erwadi) to inform about the war and the need of more troops.
Afraid
of more soldiers arriving from Ervadi, King Thiruppandiyan sent a large number of his soldiers
to stop the Arabian soldiers. Syed Salaar Sha Shaheed was killed at Palli
Chandai near Keeladi Suleiman and Syed Ibrahim Shaheed Razi at Karseri near Sakkimangalam. The remaining seven soldiers
fought and continued their journey towards Ervadi. Again, a large group of
Pandiyan soldiers followed them up and a rigorous war held at Manamadurai in which five of
the Arabian soldiers called as Khamsatu Shuhadaas (Anjanamaar - Paanch Peer)
were killed.
The
remaining two soldiers traveled hard to convey the message to the Emperor
of Erwadi. Umar Khattab Shaheed was killed at Kilavaneri near
Meesal. The only soldier alive was seriously injured by the Pandiyans. He
managed to reach Bouthiramanikkapattanam and conveyed the message of
Thiuppandiyan's invasion back to Madurai. Sultan Syed Ibrahim Badushah was saddened by this and
sent a large troop towards Madurai. Before the troop could reach Madurai, the
war came to an end and Thiruppandiyan recaptured the throne.
Martyrdom at Thiruparankundram Hills:
Sultan Sikandhar
Badhusha Shaheed rested at Thiruparankundram caves for prayers and peace. Even
after capturing the throne, King Thiruppandiyan suspected the resurgence of Sultan
Sikandhar Badushah and the Arabian forces. He searched for Sultan Sikandhar Badhusha
Shaheed. Thousands of soldiers were sent, and finally they could see a
rock flying up and settling down regularly in the Thiruparankundram hill. When
they followed that, they saw an Arabian horse which they confirmed to be of Sultan
Sikandhar Badhusha. A few soldiers reached the cave where they found the rock
to fly up while Sultan Sikandhar Badhusha stood for prayers and settle down
when he was prostrating. One of the mal'oon from the soldiers of Pandiya killed
Sultan Sikandhar Badhusha Shaheed during his prostration in prayers.
Miracles:
Realizing
the sudden blindness to be the miracle (Karamat) of Sultan Sikandhar Badhusha, the assassin begged and
lamented for forgiveness. Accepting their forgiveness, Mustajab Ad Dua Sikandhar Badhusha prayed and gave back his
vision. As intended, they did the funeral of Holy Jasada Mubarak at the top of
the hill as per Islamic regulations. A big rock flew and covered the Qabr of Sultan
Sikandhar Badushah. There are other miracles (Karamat) of Sultan Sikandhar
Badhusha happening day to day in the dargah and other the locations as believed
by the visiting people.
Site of Religious Harmony Today:
Irrespective
of religion, people from many parts of Tamil
Nadu and from Kerala visit this dargah. People who visit the Ervadi Dargah in Ramanathapuram district are supposed to visit this dargah. Many poems are
written in praise of Sultan Sikandhar Badhusha, by Syed Abdussalam Ibrahim Salim Madurai
Maqbara, the third in the list of Madurai Hazrats and his maternal
grandson Syed Abdus Salaam Ibrahim Saahib. It is seen that people who come here
with a wish see it answered in a very short time, and so he is called Mustajab
ad Du'aa Sikandhar Badhushah. Mustajab Ad Du'aa in Arabic translates as "a saint whose prayers are
immediately answered by Allah."
Urus
Santhanakoodu Festival
The anniversary Urs festival of Sultan Sikander Badushah Shaheed is
commemorated on the 17th night of the Islamic month of Rajab every Hijri year. Thousands
of people visit the dargah at the hill top on this day. Arrangements are made
by the dargah committee and the local police for the welfare of the pilgrims.
Connectivity
The
Dargah is located at about 1.5 Kms from Thiruparankundram Bus Stand, 2 Kms from
Thiruparankundram Railway Station, 9 Kms from Madurai, 7 Kms from Madurai Periyar
Bus Stand, 14 Kms from Madurai Mattuthavani Integrated Bus Terminus, 7 Kms from
Madurai Railway Junction, 8 Kms from Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple, 7 Kms from
Madurai Koodal Azhagar Temple, 13 Kms from Thirumangalam and 9 Kms from Madurai
Airport.
There is
a bus stand with bus services connecting Thiruparankundram with other parts of
Madurai and adjacent villages. Buses are available from Madurai Periyar Bus Stand.
All the buses moving from Periyar Bus Stand to Thirumangalam go through
Thiruparankundram. Frequent bus services are available from in and around
Madurai. Route Nos. 5, 14, 22, 48, 49 and 52 from Periyar bus stand &
Mattuthavani Bus stand covers Tiruparankundram. Also, Mofussil buses heading
towards Kanyakumari, Nagercoil, Tirunelveli crosses here which seldom stops.
Thiruparankundram
railway station is 6 Kms from Madurai Junction. Tiruparankundram Railway
Station is in between Madurai and Thirumangalam railway stations, on the
Chennai – Kanyakumari railway track. All passenger Trains running between
Madurai and Tirunelveli, Nagercoil, Kollam stops at Tiruparankundram. Also,
Tuticorin – Mysore Express stops here. Nearest Airport is Madurai
Airport.
Location | Photos