Spreading the message of peace

Ameen Peer Dargah, Kadapa, is a living example of communal harmony - the Urs at the dargah, which starts from February 22, draws a huge crowd from all religions

The town of Kadapa is famous for its many shrines and mausoleums, which are an abode of peace and tranquility for many pilgrims. But the famous among them is the 333-year-old Asthana-e-Makhdoomullahi, popularly known as Ameen Peer Dargah or Badi Dargah, located in the Nakash area.

The calm and peaceful surroundings of the Asthana beckon the pilgrims, who come here in large numbers seeking solace and solitude, away from the hustle and bustle of the routine life. Come Thursday and Friday, scores of pilgrims from various religious throng shrine to seek blessings of the many Muslim Sufis who rest here.

The shrine was founded in 1683 AD by Hazrath Khwaja Syed Shah Peerullah Muhammad’ul Hussaini Chishti’ul Qadri, popularly known as Hazrath Peerullah Malik, originally hailing from Bidar. He travelled on foot to Mecca, performed Hajj, went to the Holy City of Madina, received spiritual blessings, as well as the title of Nayab-e-Rasool Ata’ye Rasool. Then he visited the shrine of Hazrath Moinuddin Chishti Khwaja Garib Nawaz in Ajmer, spent some time there. Hazrath Garib Nawaz bestowed upon him the title Khwaja-e-Khwajagan.

Then the Sufi returned to Bidar, got married and was blessed with two children. His grandfather appeared in a dream and advised him to leave Bidar and move to the place, where his shrine stands now. The Sufi left Bidar with his wife, two children and some disciples. On the way, the Nawab of Sidhout paid homage to the Sufi. On the advice of the Sufi, the Nawab changed the name of the place to Neknaam Abad.

The Sufi devoted his life to spreading the message of peace, love and communal harmony and the teachings of Islam. The opponents demanded that they will accept him as a Sufi and his teachings only if he could show them a miracle. He accepted their challenge. On the morning of 10th Muharram (the first lunar month of Hijri calendar), he offered the pre-dawn prayers (Namaz-e-Fajr), and in the presence of a huge crowd, shouted ‘Ya Ali’ – the earth opened and he descended into it alive, thereby attaining Jeeva Samadhi.

People locked the door from outside. Three days later the door opened automatically and inhabitants saw him performing prayers at the same place. They sought an apology for their indecent behaviour. The Sufi forgave them and again descended alive into the earth. His Urs is celebrated in the month of Muharram with much reverence and devotion. Hazrath Peerullah Malik rests in a square tomb chamber, pierced by two entrances, one each in the western and southern walls. The tomb building is surmounted by a huge dome that teems with pigeons.

There is vast rectangular tomb complex, aligned along the east-west axis, to the south of the Hazrath Peerullah Malik’s mausoleum. It contains 17 tombs of members belonging to 9 generations of the Sufi’s family. The first gate from the north-western side gives direct access to the tomb of Hazrath Khwaja Syed Shah Arifullah Hussaini II, the third descendant in the Sufi’s lineage. His tomb is the highest and biggest among all the other tombs in the hall. It is his annual Urs starts from February 22.

Hazrath Arifullah Hussaini II was a devout Sufi and he performed many miracles in his lifetime. He spent 40 years in deep meditation and prayers in the caves and forests of Tadipatri. Legend has it that a python used to stay guard outside his cave. Thence he came to the forests of Water Gandi Works in Kadapa district and spent the remaining 23 years of his life.

It is said, that he was so immersed in the divine love that whenever he opened his eyes, the celestial light emanating from his eyes was capable of breaking the huge stone into pieces. Besides being a Sufi of the highest order, he was also a great scholar and a poet.

His Urs attracts millions of pilgrims from every nook and corner of the country. The entire shrine complex is illuminated by colorful lights and is a treat to the eyes. The main celebrations start with the Sandal (gandham) ceremony. It is taken out in the night and Fatiha (recitation) is offered at the tomb of the Sufi. The sandal is treated as Tabarruk (Prasad) and is distributed to the devotees.

The main Urs ceremony is held on the second day. A national-level Mushaira (poetry recitation programme) is held on the third night which continues till early morning. Eminent personalities like Shakeel Badayuni, Qumaar Barabankawi, Hasrat Jaipuri, Nida Fazli, Pankaj Udhas, and Shamim Jairajpuri have graced this event from time to time.

Besides common pilgrims, the dargah is equally popular among the film personalities and celebrities. People who visited the shrine include Neelam Sanjeev Reddy (former President of India), Indira Gandhi and P V Narasimha Rao (both former Prime Ministers of India), Dr YS Rajasekhar Reddy (former Chief Minister of AP), N Chandrababu Naidu (the present Chief Minister of AP).

Besides, many Bollywood artists (Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Aamir Khan, Akshay Kumar, and Paresh Rawal), Tollywood stars (Chiranjeevi, Ramcharan Teja, Allu Arjun) and music director Devi Sri Prasad, singers Sangeeta and Gazal Srinivas also visited the shrine. Film musician AR Rahman, who bagged two Oscar Awards, has been a frequently visiting this shrine since his first visit in 2005.

The dargah signifies the ‘Oneness of God’ and offers services to every pilgrim, cutting across barriers of religion and caste. This shrine truly celebrates the unity in diversity of our country.

Schedule of the Urs ceremony

22-02-2016 – Sandal ceremony
23-02-2016 – Urs ceremony
24-02-2016 – Mushaira
(Besides local poets, many poets of national repute will grace the occasion. They include Gulzar Dehlvi, Rahi Bastavi, Anwar Jalalpuri, Majid Deobandi, Ashok Sahil, Ravikant Anmol, Iqbal Ash’ar, Dr Shamsuddin Nagpuri, Dr Khurshid Farooqi (from Burhanpur), Ibrahim Khan Ayaz (from Hyderabad).
25-02-2016 – Samaa Khwani
26-02-2016 – Juloos (procession)
There is a qawwali programme, which will feature Chota Majid Shola Qawwal and Chand Qadri Qawwal.