Priests of Sri Bhu Varaha Swamy Temple and trustees of Hazrath Syed Sha Rahamathulla Shuttari Valiullah Dargah during the Masi Magam festival in Killai on Tuesday. | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
The annual ‘Masi Magam theerthavari’ at Killai near Chidambaram in Cuddalore district upholds a centuries-old tradition that exemplifies deep interfaith harmony.
Killai, a coastal village is home to a secular tradition between Hindus and Muslims, during the annual ‘Masi Magam’ celebrations, when the processional deity of the Sri Bhu Varaha Swamy Temple, an important Vaishnava shrine, passes through the local hamlets and halts in front of the Dargah of Saint Hazrath Syed Sha Rashmatityhulla, where Shutt Sha Rashmatity Muslims pray.
The procession to Killai, located at a distance of 60 km from Srimushnam, was taken out on Tuesday during the ‘Masi Magam’ festival.
Syed VN Saqaf, Sajjada Nishin and Custodian, Hazrath Syed Sha Rahamathulla Shuttari Valiullah Dargah, Killai, said the saint settled in Killai in 1720 AD and got 600 acres of land as a gift from Nawab Mohammad Ali Walajah.
“The dargah commissioned Uppu Venkatarao, the revenue officer at the time, to survey and re-mark the boundaries of these properties. As a gesture of appreciation, the dargah trustee granted 26 acres and 20 cents of land to Venkatarao on perpetual lease at a low rent. These lands are now managed by the Bhu Varaha Swamy Temple Trust.”
“During the ‘Masi Magam’ festival every year, the deity’s procession through Killai stops at the dargah to honor the Sufi saint and confirm the land grant. An imam leads prayers during the 30-minute stop and offers 3 kg of rice, ₹501 in cash, a silk scarf, fruits and coconuts to the deity.
After that, priests from the temple visited the dargah and presented garlands and jaggery to the devotees, followed by special prayers for world peace.
Published – 04 March 2026 21:11 IST
