SHOAIB SHAIKH | NT STAFF REPORTER
PANAJI: The Hazrat Shah Madar Auliya’s shrine has maintained the tradition in allowing women to enter the dargah in reverence of the Sufi saint. However, the women are not allowed within the area of mazaar (sanctum).
One would have to travel about 7 kms from Cuncolim town to reach the shrine located in Adnem village of Quepem taluka. Renovated into a concrete structure a few years ago, the shrine has been the lifeline of the faithful and has occupied a place of prominence amongst the locals.
The shrine is looked after by the Zamatul Muslimeen of Demani in Cuncolim, which also manages the Jamia Masjid of Cuncolim.
President of Zamatul Muslimeen, Shaikh Noor Mohammed said that women from all faiths revere the saint and seek the blessings before every auspicious occasion.
“Not just Muslims, even Hindus from the village revere the saint and claim that the persona of Hazrat (as he is called upon) has always blessed the village and the people”, he added.
Responding to the question on women’s entry into the shrine, he said that women from across faiths, before beginning any auspicious activity, come to the shrine to seek the blessings of the saint.
However, the women as a mark of respect to the saint’s life are not allowed inside the mazaar and have been provided with a special balcony space inside the shrine. Hazrat did not mingle with women in the society and the women maintained purdah (curtain). Hence, continuing that tradition the women are requested to be seated in the balcony and the offerings are placed upon the tomb by the male caretaker of the shrine, he added.
Secretary of the committee, Shabbir Shah informed that the women have been provided with a separate entry to the shrine to avoid any inconvenience. “It is a holy and auspicious place and everyone should have access to the shrine with ease and peace. Hence, we have maintained the sanctity as well as the respect of the community and provided facilities for all,” he added.
The Urus (the death anniversary) is celebrated annually on the second Saturday of March. The death of a Sufi saint is considered to be ‘visal’ or the union with the beloved and, hence, the death anniversary is celebrated with great pomp and gaiety.
Thousands have been gathering to celebrate the Urus of Hazrat Shah Madar Auliya since times immemorial.
According to traditions conveying the history about the saint, Hazrat Shah Madar Auliya lived in the village of Adnem during the reigns of Bahmani Sultanate and Adil Shah’s Bijapur Sultanate. It is considered that the saint traveled alongwith Muslim traders who traded with the coastal state of Goa.
He is considered to be a shagird (student or disciple) of one of the disciples of Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti, whose shrine is located in Ajmer in Rajasthan. Hazrat Shah Madar Auliya is said to have travelled from the North towards the coastal lands and settled in Adnem.
During the later years, an unknown disease similar to leprosy affected the place and the inhabitants either migrated or succumbed to the disease. However, there are no details of the lifestyle of the Sufi saint available.