Anantapur: The three-and-a-half century-old Ameen Peer Dargah, locally familiar as Pedda Dargah or Badi Dargah, is being set up for its annual urs celebrations; Kadapa collector Satyanarayana directed authorities to ensure that elaborate arrangements are made for the occasion on February 10. The Dargah is a Sufi shrine located at the heart of Kadapa district headquarters.
The saints here are known to preach communal harmony to devotees from across all communities. In fact, it is claimed that the saints of the shrine are the descendants of the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad. The masjid is believed to have been constructed in 1683. The structure, which epitomizes three centuries of divine wisdom, was originally the grave of two Sufi saints Perullah Hussaini and Arufulla Hussaini II.
These saints were the descendants of Prophet Muhammad and had come to south India to spread the teachings of Islam. The then-Nawab of Sidhout Taluk, Nawab Nek nam Khan, had even changed the name of the area to Neknamabaad, on the advice of Perullah Hussaini. Neknamabaad eventually became Kadapa. According to historians, the Dargah holds a position of great significance in the history of Kadapa; and many stories speak of the miracles performed by the saints.
The religious reverence commanded by the Dargah is distinctive even today. It serves as an embodiment of the principle of Oneness of God, as it welcomes and serves everyone, regardless religion or descent. As historian Jayachandra has observed, the Ameen Peer Dargah is a place that symbolises unity among the diverse cultures of the country. So much so that it may be called the Taj of Kadapa.
Several notable personalities are known to have visited this shrine, including former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, former President Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy, and a number of film stars such as Aishwarya and Abhishek Bachchan. It is also known as Rahman ka Mehman, after the renowned music director and Oscar award winner A.R. Rahman, an ardent devotee who has been enthralling visitors with his performances at the annual Urs since 2005.
