Erwadi Dargah – Kilakkarai

Erwadi Village, located in Kilakkarai Taluk of Ramanathapuram District, is home to the revered grave and shrine of Qutb Sultan Syed Ibrahim Shaheed Badusha, the former ruler of Madinah Al Munawwara. This sacred site holds immense spiritual importance and attracts pilgrims from across the country.

The Journey of Shaheed Badusha

Sultan Syed Ibrahim Shaheed Badusha was an 18th-generation descendant of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. During the early 12th century, while ruling Madinah, he set out on a divine mission to India to spread Islam, following the spiritual guidance of his revered ancestor.

With a firm resolve to propagate Islamic teachings, Shaheed Badusha began his journey from Madinah along with his family and followers. Despite facing numerous hardships while traveling by sea and through dense forests, he reached Kannanur in Kerala. Subsequently, he continued his journey through Kayalpattinam and Vaippar before finally arriving at Bouthiramanickapattinam, which is now known as Erwadi.

In his efforts to establish Islamic principles, Shaheed Badusha engaged in battles against the Pandya ruler Thiru Pandian in Madurai and later against Vikrama Pandyan in Bouthiramanickapattinam. After emerging victorious, he ruled the region for twelve years and played a significant role in spreading Islam across southern Tamil Nadu.

The Erwadi Dargah

The Erwadi Dargah stands as one of the holiest Islamic shrines in Tamil Nadu. Devotees believe the sanctity of the site comes from the sacred soil brought from Madinah. The main Dargah complex houses the graves of Emperor Sultan Ibrahim Shaheed Badusha along with his family members.

In addition, the premises contain the holy graves of other revered Shahudaas and relatives of Sultan Syed Ibrahim Shaheed. A large mosque within the Dargah campus can accommodate nearly 10,000 pilgrims during prayer services. Eiatibar Khan constructed the main prayer hall of the shrine, while the flag throne located south of the main entrance surrounds the grave of Begum, the wife of Eiatibar Khan. Moreover, the Dargah features three main entrances for devotees. The towering minaret of the mosque, rising to a height of nearly 250 feet, enhances the grandeur of the shrine. Interestingly, it also serves as a guiding landmark for fishermen from Erwadi and nearby coastal villages.

Urus Festival or Erwadi Santhanakoodu Festival

The grand Urus Festival, popularly known as the Santhanakoodu Festival, takes place every year during the Islamic month of Dhu al-Qi’dah. The festival commemorates the martyrdom anniversary of Qutb Sultan Syed Ibrahim Shaheed Badusha. The celebrations begin on the 1st of Zul Qaida and conclude on the 30th of the same month in the Hijri calendar. Notably, both Hindus and Muslims participate in the festival, symbolizing the strong tradition of religious harmony in Tamil Nadu.

During this period, millions of devotees visit the Erwadi Dargah to seek blessings. Many also believe that visiting the shrine helps cure spiritual and mental ailments, further strengthening the faith associated with this sacred place.

How to reach Erwadi Dargah

Erwadi is well connected through road with all parts of Tamil Nadu. Frequent buses ply from Ramanathapuram to Erwadi. Ramanathapuram railway station (around 27 kilometres away) is the nearest station to Ervadi. Thoothukudi Airport (around 123 kilometres away) is the nearest airport from Ervadi Dargah.