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Friday, June 18, 2010



Ervadi or Erwadi Tamil: ஏர்வாடி) is a village in Ramanathapuram district belonging to Kadaladi Taluk and Keelakarai Town panchayat. The village is the location of the grave and shrine of Qutbus Sultan Syed Ibrahim Shaheed Badusha, the then ruler of Madinah Al Munawwara. Erwadi also belongs to Kadaladi Assembly constituency which is a part of Ramanathapuram (Lok Sabha constituency). But after the delimitations in 2009, Erwadi has been joint to Ramanathapuram assembly constituency. Though being a small town, Erwadi is the second largest contributor for the revenue of Ramanthapuram District.

Al Qutbul Hamid wal Gausul Majid Badhusha Hazrat Sulthan Syed Ibrahim Shaheed Radiyalla Ta'ala anhu is a 18th generation hereditary grandson of Prophet Muhammad. He was the king of Madinah while he started towards in India in early 12th century to spread Islam according to the Prophet's wish. With millions of supporters from all over the world.[1] Sultan Syed Ibrahim Shahid first came to the Sindh province inPakistan spread Islam there through various means and returned to Madinah. Again obliging Rasulullah's order, Shaheed badusha started from Madinah with his entire family leaving the throne. He came across various difficulties while travelling in the sea and in the orests towards India without proper food and shelter or some nice water to drink and finally entered Kannanur in Kerala. His ultimate aim was to spread Islam as per the order of his hereditary grandfather Hazrat Muhammad. He travelled via, Kayalpattinam, Vaippar, Madurai and finally entered Bouthiramanickapattinam, now called as Ervadi.

[edit]The war

Coins used by the Muslim rulers and Pandiya rulers in Ervadi and Ramanathapuram provinces

Hazrat Sultan Syed Ibrahim Shaheed, offered the islamic teachings to the Pandiya ruler Thiru Pandiyan in Madurai who refused to accept and waged a war. Finally the troops of Hazrat Sultan Syed Ibrahim Shaheed won and Sultan Iskandar (Sikandar) Badusha was throned in Madurai. Then the troops of Sulthan Syed Ibrahim Shaheed went ahead towards Bouthramanickapattinam. Shahidh badusha offered Islam to the king Vikkirama Pandiyan who very strictly refused and asked to leave the kingdom. Shaheed refused to leave without turning them Muslims. Vikrama pandiyan started war. A very vigorous war which took about 10 sessions each of around 3–4 days held. All of the family members of Shaheed Badhusah including his only lovable son Syed Abutahir, Brother Syed Ismail, Brother in Law Zainul Aabideen and many of the martyrs and ministers of Shaheedh badhusha like Amir Abbas of Rome, Abdul Qadir Mujahid, Muhaiyaddeen, Aboobakkar Abdul Hakkim, Abdullah, Shamsuddin of Makkah, Qamaruddin, Nooruddeen, Muhammadh Yusuf, Jafar Sadiq, Rome Syed Ahmad, Zulfaqar Ali @ Chanthana Peer of Turkey, Abdul Qadir Gilani, Abdul Qadir Samadaani, Pathan Sahib, Hamza basheer, Uvaisul Hasan Ridwanullahi Ta'ala alaihim ajmaeen and few more thousands were killed.[2] Finally, king Vickrama pandiyan was killed and Sulthan Syed Ibrahim Shaheed Badusha won the war and captured the throne of Bouthiramanickapatttinam.

He ruled the province for 12 years and spread Islam all over south Tamil Nadu. The coin published during the rule of Hazrat Sulthan Syed Ibrahim Shaheed is found.[3] He too wished to be a martyr and told about that to Rasulullah who promised it.


Santhanakoodu urus festival

Beginning of Moulidu shariff at Erwadi dargah main Maqbra

The Grand urus festival of Ervadi dargah is held every year in the Islamic Month of Dhu al-Qi'dah commemorating the shahadat anniversary of Hazrat Qutb Sulthan Syed Ibrahim Shahid badhusha radiyallah Ta'ala anhu. The Grand festival starts on 1st of Zul Qaida and ends on 30th of Zul Qaidah of every Hijri year.

[edit]Beginning of Moulid Shariff - Dhul Qadah 1

This event marks the beginning of the Urus festival in Erwadi. On the first night of the Islamic month of Dhu al-Qi'dah the Moulid Shariff majlis is started. Hundreds of Levvais (Huqdars) and devotees gather at the Hall of Main Shrine of Erwadi Durgah after Maghrib (prayer). The majlis starts with Dua followed by Subhana Moulidh, Shaheed Badusha Manaaqib Moulidh and ends with Dua. Half an hour break is given for Isha'a Prayer in between the Moulid Shariff which lasts till 11.00pm. On Thursdays, The Moulidh Shariff begins after Isha'a prayers. This Moulidh Shariff is held continuosly for 23 days.

[edit]Installation of Lower trunk (Adi Maram) - Dhul Qada 9

Lakhs of pilgrims witnessing the Holy flag hoisting ceremony at Erwadi dargah

This event marks the beginning of Flag hoisting ceremony of Ervadi dargah. This event is held every year on the 9th Evening of the islamic month of Dhul Qaidah. After the Fajr prayers, Thousands of people gather in the Durgah campus and Qura'an is recited. Entire Qura'an is recited for 4 or 5 times depending upon the gathered crowd. Followed by Moulid Shariff and Du'a with the Waseelah of Qutbul Aqtab Syedus Saadath Hazrat Qutb Syed Abootahir Madhani Shaheed Raziyallah Ta'ala anhu. The Erwadi dargah's victory flag is being hoisted at an height of 250 feet consisting of a lower trunk, an upper trunk and the boat-shaped metal holding. A white woodden holder is placed at the upper edge of the lower trunk and is tied with 6 ropes to hold upon and its base is placed in the midst of the flag hoisting throne (Kodi medai). A few lakhs of people who gather to witness the ceremony pull the ropes and the Trunk rises slowly. Finally when it reaches the vertical position ropes are tied to make the trunk strong hold. This holding the Holy rope is called as Imaadhul Muraad, and people who holds this holy rope with a wish seeking the help of Shaheedh Badushaha Nayagam, will see it answered in a very short period within the year.

[edit]Holy flag hoisting (Kodiyetru Vizha) - Dhul Qaidah 10

This an important ceremony in the Santhanakoodu festival of Ervadi durgah. Around 6 lakh people from all parts of Tamil Nadu and Kerala and also various states like Karnataka,Andhrapradesh, Maharashtra, Delhi and all over India take part. On the 10th evening of Zul Qaidah, The flag procession starts from the Erwadi village and reaches Durgah Shariff beforemaghrib. The holy flag is brought in an elephant which traditionally comes from the palace of the Raja of Ramnad. The procession goes round the durga thrice. Qasidahs are recited and after a grand Dhuaa, the Flag is hoisted in the upper trunk with a full voice slogan of Yaa Shaheed!!! Muraad Haasil!!!. The regular moulidh shariff starts at 9.00PM on this day.

[edit]Santhanakoodu Procession - Dhul Qada 22

A close up view of the Sandanakoodu, Erwadi

This procession is conducted just to mark the beginning of the Main santhanakoodu festival. Procession starts from Chinna Ervadi, the residential area ofMujavirs (Huqdars called as Levvais) and reaches the Dargah shariff campus before maghrib prayers. The shadhili tariqa zikr halqa majlis (Hazra) is held in the Mosque at the durgah campus. A few millions of people start gathering at Erwadi and get scattered at kattupalli and other areas of Ervadi durga. District administration announces local Holiday on this day and the State government along with TNSTC runs thousands of special buses to Erwadi from various locations of Tamil Nadu. Hundreds of stalls are being put by the Government and by the private vendors. Many food stalls and child entertainment games are being run in this season.

[edit]Sandal smearing on the holy grave - Dhul Qadah 23

This is the peak celebration and the sole purpose of the one month long Santhanakoodu festival in Ervadi Durgah. This day marks the martyrdom of Hazrat Qutbul hamid Gausul Majid Badusha Sulthan Syed Ibrahim Shaheed Raziyallah Taala anhu. The 23rd day moulid shariff (Last Moulid for the year) starts exactly at 12.00am on the 23rd night of Dhu al-Qi'dah and ends at 3:00am with a grand Dhuaa begging Shaheed badusha's mercy. Sandal paste are taken in 3 pots from Ervadi and brought in the very grand procession. It reaches Durgah around 5:00am and the sandal pot is taken to the maqbara, the grave (Mazaar) of Hazrat Shaheed Badusha. The procession goes round the Dargah thrice. A grand Dhuaa is recited inside the Maqaam of Hazrat shaheed badusha. The sandal is smeared in the rauza mubarak of Shaheed and different carpets with Valuable Silk, Diamond and other floral carpets are presented. The sandal paste is anointed on the Rauza of Hazrat Qutb Syed Abootahir Shaheed and the rouza of Seyyida Fathima Al Barqa radiyallah Ta'ala anha (Shahid badusha'a mother). Only selected Levvais (Mujavirs - Huqdars) and a few VIPs are permitted inside the Maqbara during the ceremony. More than 1000 policemen and policewomen are deployed for security. The ceremony ends with the fajr prayer and the sandal is distributed to all who gather in the Dargah campus.

[edit]Dismounting of the Holy Flag (Kodi Irakkam) - Dhul Qadah 30

This is the final event which marks the end of a month long Santhanakoodu festival in Erwadidurgah. Every year on the 30th Morning of Islamic month of Dhu al-Qi'dah thousands of people gather at the hall of main Dargah after fajr prayer for the recitation of Holy Quran. Qur'an is completely recited more than 7 times and Tabarruk is distributed after the dhuaa with the waseela of Badhusha Nayagam (Holy King). The same day evening, after Asar Qasidas and Byts are recited followed by the grand final Dhuaa and the Holy Flag is dismounted with the Sky blowing slogan of YAA SHAHEED!!! MURAD HAASIL!!!. The holy flag is presented unto the Sacred Rouza of Hazrat Sulthan Syed Ibrahim Shaheed and a Dhuaa is recited. The lower trunk and other components of the Holy flag are displaced before maghrib. Around 15 lakh people from all over India and other countries like Sri Lanka, U.K., Saudi Arabia,U.A.E. and Kuwait take part. The crowd which gathers here for this ceremony is the highest than any other festival in Ramanathapuram District. After maghrib, the traditional Thabarrukof 'NEI SORU' (Ghee Rice) is distributed to all the 15 lakh pilgrims who witnessed the Santhanakoodu Urus festivals of Erwadi Dargah. The arrangements for the entire festival is made and sponsored by the Dargah Huqdhar Management Committee (D.H.M.C.). Thus the one month long Urus Festival of Ervadi Durgah Shariff comes to an end.

[edit]Ervadi Santhanakoodu Festival 2009

Following is the schedule of the Grand Holy Annual Santhanakoodu (Sandanakoodu) festival commemorating the 835th Urus festival to be held at Ervadi dargha for a month's time, from 19 October to 18 November.

DateDayTimeFestival
19.10.2009Monday6.30 PMBeginning of Holy Moulid Shariff
21.10.2009Wednesday4.30 PMMursal Ibrahim Shaheed Rali... Moulid Shariff, Thachu oorani
22.10.2009Thursday10.30 AMAmeer Abbas Manthiri Shaheed Rali.. Moulid shariff, Kattupalli.
28.10.2009Wednesday6.00 AMRecital of Holy Quraan Shariff and Qutb Abuthahir Madani Shaheed Moulidh Shariff, Du'aa.
28.10.2009Wednesday4.30 PMInstallation of the Lower trunk (ADI MARAM)
29.10.2009Thursday5.00 PMHoly Flag Hoisting (Punithamigu Kodiyetram)
5.11.2009Thursday10.30 AMAboobakkar Abdul Hakkeem Doctor Shaheed Rali... Moulidh Shariff, Kattupalli.
9.11.2009Monday10.30 AMAbdul Khader Mujahid Shaheed, Ghaznfar Muhaiddeen Shaheed Rali... (Qadir manthiri, Muhaiddeen manthiri) Moulidh Shariff, Kattupalli.
10.11.2009Tuesday6.30 PMBeginning of Sandhanakoodu festival, Fassiyatush Shadhiliya tariqa Zikr Halqa Majlis, Erwadi dargah.
11.11.2009Wednesday5.00 AMSandal Smearing on the Holy Rouza of Qutbul Hamid Gouthul Majid Badhusha Sulthan Syed Ibrahim Shaheed Rali...
18.11.2009Wednesday5.30 AMRecital of Holy Quran, Qattam Thamaam and Shaheed Badhusha Nayagam Moulidh
18.11.2009Wednesday5.00 PMDismounting of Holy Flag (Punithamigu Kodi Irakkam)
18.11.2009Wednesday7.00 PMHoly Thabarruk of Shaheed Badhusha Nayagam Ghee Rice (Nei Soru) distribution

A local district holiday has been announced by the Ramanathapuram district collector and other officials of the District administration on 10.11.2009 for Erwadi sandanakoodu (Santhanakoodu) festival 2009.

[edit]Ervadi today

Erwadi durgah today stands as a symbol of religious harmony in Tamil Nadu. People with satanic illness visit this durgah in large number and get cured. Tens of lakhs of people visit this Durgah during the Urus Santhanakoodu Anniversary, held during the entire Islamic month of Dhu al-Qi'dah[5]

[edit]Transportation

Ervadi durgah is well connected by all means of transport through India. It has non stop transport facility from all over Tamil Nadu.

[edit]Road

Erwadi has wide range of connectivity through road from all parts of Tamil Nadu. The major East Coast Road which connects entire Tamil Nadu]] through Bay of Bengal from Chennai toKanyakumari itself touches Ervadi. Also NH 49 from Madurai to Rameswaram touches Ramanathapuram and from there East Coast Road can be taken via Keelakarai to reach Ervadi and the distance in this route is 27 km. There are frequent buses for every 30 minutes being operated by TNSTC from Ramanathapuram to Erwadi. Also TNSTC operates direct buses to Erwadi from various parts of Tamil Nadu like Madurai, Kumuli, Pattukottai, Thondi, Nagore and Chennai. Also Earvadi acts a connecting center to nearby village towns like Sayalkudi, Valinokkam, Sikkal, Idambaadal, Kombuthi, Kamudi, Kadaladi etc., with the district headquarters of Ramnad. Thus, buses and other road vehicles plying to these towns pass through Ervaadi. Also, buses from Ramnaad and Rameshwaram towards Tuticorin, Thiruchendur halt at Erwaadi generating some amount of revenue. This helps lot people travelling between these towns to know about Earwadi the holiest town in Tamil Nadu for Muslims.

[edit]Rail

Ramanathapuram railway station (Station code: RMD) is the nearest station to erwadi and is well connected through road. Train No. 6101 and Train No.6713 which comes from Chennai Egmore and Train Nos 6102 and 6714 which comes from Rameswaram can be availed here. There are three passenger trains to Tiruchirapalli via Paramakkudi, Manamadurai, Sivagangai,Karaikudi, Devakottai and Pudukkottai. Two passenger trains shuttle between Madurai and Rameswaram via Ramanathapuram, Paramakkudi, Manamadurai and Thirupuvanam.
Also trains to Quilon, Bhubaneswar and Hazrat Nizamuddin from Rameswaram which are to run shortly will touch Ramanathapuram and this can be availed by Ervadi passengers from North India once it starts its service.

[edit]Ship

Erwadi, is well connected with the border ports of Bay of Bengal. Though this is neither a port nor a harbour, this is the junction point of all fishing steamers. Fishermen from adjacent villages like Keelakarai, Seranthai, Sadamuniyan valasi, Adam cheri, Adanjeri, kavakulam etc., anchor their fishing ships and steamers here. So, People who wish to travel to Ervadi by ship can start their journey from any of these neighbouring villages.

[edit]Educational institutions

  • S.A.B.M.H Government Higher Secondary School
  • Elite Matriculation school

[edit]Hotels, restaurants & guest houses

Erwadi houses hundreds of hotels and restaurants with middle class facilities mostly run by Levvais (Mujavirs-Huqdars). Here are the lists of few.

  • Ameer Aalim line
  • Chairman Line
  • Thangamma line
  • Gowthiya Raziya Line
  • Munsif Hussain Mumtaj Mahal
  • Fathima Gani Mahal
  • Rifaya Mahal
  • Misbah Line
  • Amjadha mahal
  • Arshadha Mahal
  • Darbar Guest House
  • Sulaiha Line
  • Haja line
  • Jahanghir sulthan line
  • Khaleefa Line
  • Azees line
  • Jamarath Mahal & Line
  • Shahid waliullah Guest House
  • Mukhthar mahal
  • Royal Guest House
  • Deluxe Guest house

[edit]Hotels with boarding and lodging

  • Hotel Barakkath, Dargah western gate.
  • Hotel Dasooqui (Earlier Khuthbiya)

[edit]Hotels for food

  • Hotel Rahmath
  • Hotel Star Malabar
  • Hotel Ayesha
  • Hotel Muhammadh Sal..
  • Hotel Raj Bhavan (Pure Veg.)
  • Rowther Mess
  • Hotel Benasir
  • Hotel Idris (Ervadi)
  • Hotel Barakkath, Kattupalli.
  • Hotel Sikandhar Badhushah, Kattupalli.