Hazrat Khaja Syed Sultan Alauddin Badusha razi and Hazrat Khaja Syed Sulthan Shamsuddin

 Madurai,Tamil Nadu, India

History

Crowned with a colossal dome painted in bright white and tall minarets embellished with colourful niches, the Goripalayam Dargah stands out amidst the hotchpotch of shaky old buildings in the neighbourhood. A flight of steps leads to the impressive façade behind which tin-roof tenements with cement flooring provide shelter to people who stay at the dargah for days and months, seeking divine intervention to their problems, mostly ill-health.

For a brief period in the 13th Century, the Pandya country was ruled by sultans of Yemen namely Hazrat Khaja Syed Sultan Alauddin Badusha razi and Hazrat Khaja Syed Sulthan Shamsuddin – who have been sanctified in the Goripalayam Dargah.

A courtyard in the centre with ornamental stone pillars and wooden windows leads into the heart of the dargah where the two Sultans lie in two separate graves next to each other. .There is also one invisible grave of Hazrat Khaja Syed Sultan Habibuddin razi who is also known as Ghaibi Sulthan who came to India to spread Islam.

The two rulers were brothers who ruled the northern part of Madurai after coming from Oman during the 13th century to spread Islam after hearing about the travel of Hazrat Qutb Sulthan Syed Ibrahim Shaheed Badusha of Erwadi and His victory in south India followed by the established Islamic rule in Madurai and Ramanathapuram provinces. Hazrat Kazi Syed Tajuddin Radiyallah, the founder of Kazimar Big Mosque and who lived in Kazimar Street was government Kazi (Islamic legal advisor and jury) to the Sultans. The descendants of Hazrat Kazi Syed Tajuddin are still living in Kazimar Street and the Kazimar Big mosque is being maintained by them. From the time of Sultans the Kazis to Madurai city are appointed from the descendants of Kazi Syed Tajuddin and this tradition was followed by the Pandiya Rulers, the Nayak rulers, the Nawab rulers and the British rulers. Even today the post independent democratic state government of Tamil Nadu appoints Kazi to Madurai only from the descendants of Kazi Syed Tajuddin who was the Kazi to the Madurai Sultans.

An ancient Tamil inscription can be found planted on the outer campus of the Maqbara of the dargah campus:

The descendants of Sulthan Alauddin Badusha, and Sulthan Shamsuddin Badusha (called as Sultans of Oman) purchased from the then King Koo(n) Pandiyan the land of Gorippalayam Dargah for a Feet of Gold piece and other six villages (namely Bibi Kulam, Chokkikulam, Cholikudi, Chirudoor, Kannanendal, Thiruppalai) at the rate of 14,000 Gold pieces for the maintenance of Gorippalayam Dargah. During the reign of King Veerappa nayakkar of the Madurai Nayak rulers, a dispute arose between the Huqdars of the Durgah and the employees of the Nayakkar Government regarding the six villages. The case was taken to King Veerappa Nayakkar, who inquired and verified the documents written by King Koo(n) Pandiyan and gave his verdict in the year 1573 A.D. as the Six villages and the Dargah land belongs to the Descendants of Sultans and it should be in their enjoyment till the existence of Sun and Moon and who violates this will be liable for the sin of slaughtering a cow in the bank of river Ganga.

This inscription is considered a piece of evidences to prove the existence of the Dargah since 13th century.

The anniversary Urus festival of this dargah is held on 15th night of the Islamic month of Rabi al-awwal on every hijri year.

Additional Info

The anniversary Urus festival of this dargah is held on 15th night of the Islamic month of Rabi al-awwal on every hijri year.

  How to Reach: From Madurai International Airport, the Dargah is 12.6 KM. 3.3 KM from Madurai Junction Railway Station, It is only 240 m from Gorippalayam bus stop.,

Nearest City : Madurai
Nearest Bus Stop : Gorippalayam bus stop
Nearest Airport : Madurai International Airport
Nearest Railway Station : Madurai Junction
Contact Person Name : Not Available
Contact Person Phone: Not Available
Website : Not Available
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