Discover the Rich History of Goripalayam Mosque in Madurai
The Goripalayam Mosque in Madurai is an impressive structure that houses
two graves of Sultans of Yemen, Khaja Syed Sultan Alauddin Badusha Razi
and Khaja Syed Sulthan Shamsuddin, who were part of the Madurai Sultanate. The mosque also has an invisible grave of Khaja Syed Sultan
Habibuddin Razi, also known as Ghaibi Sulthan, who arrived in India to
spread Islam.
The dome of the mosque is an incredible 70 feet (21 m) in
diameter and 20 feet (6.1 m) in height, made from a single block of
stone sourced from the Azhaga Hills. According to historical accounts,
the mosque was commissioned by Thirumalai Nayak, a ruler of Madurai, for
his Muslim subjects.
History of Mosque
The area of Goripalayam in Madurai is named after the Persian word “gor”
meaning grave, due to the graves of the two prominent saints of Islam
and rulers of Madurai, Sulthan Alauddin Badusha (Radiyallah) and Sulthan
Shamsuddin Badhusha (Radiyallah), located here. The Gorippalayam Dargah, a beautiful green tomb, can be seen from the A.V. Bridge
situated on the northern banks of the Vaigai River.
The two rulers, who
were brothers, arrived from Oman during the 13th century to spread Islam
after hearing about the travel of Qutb Sulthan Syed Ibrahim Shaheed
Badusha of Erwadi and his victory in south India, which was followed by
the establishment of Islamic rule in Madurai and Ramanathapuram
provinces.
Kazi Syed Tajuddin Radiyallah, the founder of Kazimar Big Mosque and the government Kazi to the Sultans, lived in Kazimar Street,
and his descendants still reside there today, maintaining the Kazimar
Big Mosque. From the time of the Sultans, the Kazis of Madurai city were
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 the Kazi of Madurai
only from the descendants of Kazi Syed Tajuddin, who was the Kazi to the
Madurai Sultans. An ancient Tamil inscription is planted on the outer
campus of the Maqbara of the dargah campus.
Gorippalayam Dargah Urus Festival
The Urus festival of the Gorippalayam Dargah is an annual event that
takes place on the 15th night of the Islamic month of Rabi al-awwal
every year in accordance with the hijri calendar.
This festival is held
to commemorate the death anniversary of the two Sultans of Yemen who
were buried here, namely Khaja Syed Sultan Alauddin Badusha Razi and
Khaja Syed Sulthan Shamsuddin of the Madurai Sultanate.
The festival is a
major event for the local Muslim community, and people from all over
Tamil Nadu come to offer their prayers and seek blessings. The
festivities include various religious rituals, processions, and cultural
events.
