Ameen Peer Dargah frequented by film stars, others

Anantapur: The four century old Ameen Peer Dargah,  a Sufi Shrine in the Old Town of Kadapa, has been a major spiritual attraction for the artists of Tollywood, Kollywood and Bollywood for the past few years.

The dargah, also known as Asthana-e-Maqdoom Ilahi Dargah Complex symbolized religious fervor for both Hindus and Muslims from across the country. Actors and artistes from the Bollywood, Tollywood, Kollywood and the Kannada film industry have been frequent visitors to the dargah for the past few years.

It gained more attention after music maestro AR Rehman turned a Sufi follower and ardent devotee of the dargah. The music maestro named his son Ameen.

 Political leaders including chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy and TD general secretary Nara Lokesh had visited the dargah. Lokesh had offered prayers there prior to the launch of his Yuva Galam Padayatra in January.

Top actors like Amitab Bachchan, Aiswarya Roy, Abhishek Bachchan, Bollywood star Amir Khan, super star Rajani Kanth were among the film stars who visited the dargah. Samantha had also visited it two years ago.

Often, the entire movie team would reach the dargah to offer prayers before the release of a new movie. The darga management said there have been frequent visits from film industry of various sections to offer prayers for their success.

As part of ongoing Ursu festival, music maestro AR Rehman visited the dargah on Sunday night and offered chaddar at the shrine. Sajjad-e-Nasheen (peethadhipati) of Ameen Peer Dargah performed sandal mubarak at the tomb of the seer.

Deputy chief minister Amzad Bhasha offered chadar at the dargah on behalf of the state government on Monday. A large number of devotees witnessed the event. Qawali performances enthralled the audience in the dargah premises.

The district administration, as usual, took necessary steps for the annual ursu of the Pedda Dargah.