Goripalayam Dargah

Madurai is one of the oldest cities in the country. The city of Madurai is situated on the banks of the River Vaigai. Madurai is the cultural capital of the south and is called as a Temple city. There are many temples in the city of Madurai. There are also mosques in Madurai. Goripalayam Mosque is a historical monument in Madurai.

Goripalayam Mosque is the largest mosque in Madurai. Goripalayam has two tombs of the Delhi sultans of the Madurai Sultanate. The most amazing thing is the dome. This dome is 70 feet in diameter and about 20 feet in height. It is made of a single block of solid stone. It was bought from the Azhaga hills. It is said to be built by Thirumalai for his subjects. There is a beautiful green tomb that can be seen from the A V Bridge Madurai. This is the Goripalayam Dargah located on the northern banks of the River Vaigai. People from all over come here to seek blessings of these saints. They believe that whatever is asked here and whatever wish is expressed is granted by the saints.

Goripalayam is a Persian word. Gor means grave. This area is called as Goripalayam as there are two graves in this area. These belong to the two famous Muslim saints of Islam and the rulers of Madurai. Hazrat Sulthan Alauddin Badusha (Radiyallah) and Hazrat Sulthan Shamsuddin Badusha (Radiyallah) are the two saints. These were the two brothers who came from Oman. They ruled the northern parts of Madurai during the 13th century. They came here to spread Islam. Hazrat Kazi Sayed Tajuddin Radiyallah belonged to the Kazimar Street. He was a government Kazi means a legal Islamic advisor and jury. There is an ancient inscription found in the Tamil language.

The details in the inscription are important historically. It says that the descendants of the Sultan Badushas purchased the land of Goripalayam from Pandiyan the king. This deal was done for a feet of gold and six villages at the rate of 14000 gold pieces for the maintenance of the Goripalayam Dargah. A dispute arose during the rule of King Veerappa Nayakkar. This was between the Huqdars of the Dargah and the employees of the villages. He verified the documents and claimed that the land belonged to the Sultan until there were sun and moon. And the one who violates this will be liable of a sin of slaughtering of a cow on the banks of the River Ganga. This inscription is important historically an is a proof that the Dargah existed since 13th century.

There are celebrations at the Dargah every year as an Urs festival in Madurai. People from far off come to Goripalayam Dargah to seek blessings. This festival is held on the 15th night of Islamic month of Rabi-al-awwal on every hijri year.