TranslateWhen: April
The Kanthuri Festival is held at the Nathar Shah Dargah in Tiruchirappalli, honouring the Sufi saint Hazrat Nathar Wali. It is one of Tamil Nadu's clearest expressions of shared religious tradition, drawing Hindu and Muslim participants alike, with processions, sandal paste ceremonies and qawwali performances filling the streets around the shrine.
When
April, over ten days
Where
Nathar Shah Dargah, Tiruchirappalli
Duration
About ten days
Main highlight
The sandanakoodu sandal paste procession
The observance centres on the urs, the death anniversary of the saint. Sandal paste is carried in decorated containers in procession to the dargah and applied to the tomb, a ritual known as sandanakoodu. Nightly qawwali and devotional singing continue through the festival, and free meals are distributed to visitors.
Hazrat Nathar Wali is venerated across community lines in Trichy, and the festival has long been attended by Hindus as well as Muslims. Offerings of flowers, chadar cloth and sandal paste are made by families of both faiths, and the festival is regarded locally as a symbol of the city's composite culture.
The dargah is in the heart of Tiruchirappalli, close to the Rockfort and the main bazaar area, and is easily reached from anywhere in the city. Trichy has an international airport and a major railway junction. The streets around the shrine become extremely busy during the procession days, so walking is the practical option.
