Achutappa Nayak, the king of Thanjavur during the 16th century, donated 200 acres (81 ha) of land to the entourage of Shahul, after the saint cured the king's affliction. The dargah was built on a part of the land donated by Nayak.Shahul Hamid is believed to have predicted his death and advised his adopted son Yusuf about his burial location and rites to be performed after his death. Yusuf performed the rites as per the instructions and decided to stay there for the rest of his life. A mausoleum was constructed over the grave. Devotees of Shahul, who continued to believe in his powers after his death, venerated the site of the burial.The shrine was initially a smaller one and gradually gained prominence. Pratap Singh (1739–1763 CE), the Hindu Maratha ruler of Thanjavur prayed for a son and built the tallest of the five minarets (called Periya Manara locally) with a height of 131 ft (40 m) once his wish was fulfilled.The Marathas of the later period were patrons to the dargah, with the Maratha king Thuljaji, the son of Pratap Singh, donating 4,000 acres (1,600 ha) of agricultural land to the dargah.During the last quarter of 18th century, when there was conflict between European powers, the Nawab of Arcot, the Maratha kings and Tipu Sultan of Mysore over Thanjavur region, the dargah was considered strategically important by all of them.The Nagore Dargah covers an area of 5 acres (2.0 ha) enclosed by a compound wall. The main complex has four entrances in each direction.The dargah is believed to have been built by ardent devotees of Shahul Hamid, who are 95 per cent Hindus.There are five minarets with different heights and the tallest one has a height of 131 ft (40 m)It was erected during the 195th death anniversary of Shahul.The dargah has a gold-plated dome located on the west face outside the main entrance over the tombs of Shahul, his son Yusuf and his daughter-in-law Saeeda Sultana Biwi.The other four minarets are 77 ft (23 m) tall Sahib Minara, 93.5 ft (28.5 m) tall Thalaimattu Minara, 93.25 ft (28.42 m) tall Muthubaq Minara and 80 ft (24 m) tall Ottu Minara, each constructed in four cardinal points around the dome. As a mark of respect, devotees venerate the sandals of the saint which are preserved in the shrine. The central part of the dargah is the tomb of the saint Shahul Hamid, which is approached through seven thresholdsFour of these doorways are made of silver and the remaining three of gold. The other tombs in the shrines are the ones for Shahul's grandson Hassan and Abdel Khader Gilani, each located in different chambers.The adjoining portion of the complex is called Peer Mandap, the Trusty's place of fasting during the annual festival. A mosque is located next to the Peer Mandap, where daily prayers are offeredShifa Gunta is a holy tank with stepped sides, located within the precincts of the dargah. As per a local legend, Shahul Hamid is believed to have brought an iron chain with him to Nagore to bind himself during severe austerities. The distinctive chain is identified as the one hanging from the ceiling above the tomb of Yusuf.Vanjur shrine and Silladi shrine, located outside the main complex, are associated with the Nagore Dargah. The Vanjur shrine is a cave located 2 km (1.2 mi) north of the main complex at Nagore. It is the place where Shahul is believed to have meditated for 40 days. Silladi shrine is located 1 km (0.62 mi) towards the east of main complex, facing the Bay of Bengal, where Shahul is believed to have offered daily prayers.There are similar shrines built in Shahul Hamid's honour in Penang (Malaysia) and Singapore. The Singapore dargah, built during 1827, has been declared a national monument. These two shrines along with the Masjid Jamae at Chulia in Singapore and the Keramat Data Koya in Penang are influenced by the architectural style of Nagore dargah.Kanduri festival is a 14-day annual event celebrated during the urs (death anniversary) of the saint. The festival is celebrated in commemoration of the anniversary of the saint's death, and pilgrims participate in the rituals and rites. The word kanduri is derived from the Persian word for table cloth. The festival is also called Qadir Wali Ke Fande festival. A saffron flag-carrying ceremony is also observed, during which a flag is carried from a devotee's house to the dargah, accompanied by a procession in streets. The flag is hoisted on a tree known as Fande ka Fahad by a Sirang (hereditary trustee) who is assisted by twenty assistants.The Islamic rites performed during the festival include the recitation of Quranic verses and observance of Fatiha (it includes; recitation of Al-Fatiha an essential part of daily prayer and Durood).The main attraction of the festival is the presence of Fakhir Jamas and Qalandars—the disciples of the saint who witness the festival. On the 9th day of Jamathul Akhir month in the Islamic calendar, at 10 p.m., a pir is chosen for the spiritual exercise of offering prayers to the saint.
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