Daijiworld Media Network – Chikmagalur (SP)

Chikmagalur, Mar 21: The annual Sandal Uroos celebration at Sri Guru Dattatreya Bababudan Swamy Dargah at Bababudangiri Hills in the taluk went ahead on Sunday March 20. The people who participated in the festivities were in a mood of devotion, celebration and ecstasy.

The Uroos is being organized by the district administration in tune with the orders of the Supreme Court, as both Shah Khadri and ad hoc Uroos Committee have stayed away from the Uroos. Shah Khadri has already announced plans to hold separate Uroos at the spot from March 26 onwards.

As per traditions, sub divisional officer, Dayanand, brought sandal paste from Attigundi village to the Dargah in a vehicle. This vehicle was welcomed by a huge gathering of devotees, who beat drums, blew musical instruments, showered coins and flowers on the vehicle as well as the road on which it moved.  About 3,000 people, who were present, raised slogans hailing Dada Hayat Khalandar. The ‘Muzaavar’ of the Dargah, Syed Akeel Pasha, applied sandal paste to the graves and Datta Padukes and offered flowers, besides conducting other worship rituals.

A number of people felt that the celebrations would have been more meaningful if Shah Khadri had participated in the procedures and blessed them. Almost equal number of Hindus and Muslims hailing from Karnataka and nearby states are participating in the Uroos.

The devotees are staying in tents pitched in the narrow stretch near the Dargah. The muzrai department had organized for afternoon food. Customarily, the devotees stay here for three days, and return to their places after paying obeisance at Javagal Dargah in Arasikere taluk. The absence of devotees from Chikmagalur town, who perhaps feel that it will go against the wishes of Shah Khadri if they participate in the Uroos, was particularly felt.

Ghouse Mohiyuiddin Shah Khadri, who happens to be the ‘Sajjada Nasheen’ of the Dargah, has announced to hold Uroos from March 26. The district administration, which claims that it had fixed the dates of Uroos strictly as per traditions, has said it is bound by the Supreme Court order not to allow another Uroos to be held here. The people are curious about the next step of the Shah Khadri, and also whether he will decide to clash with the district administration on this issue.