Kanduri Festival is a religious Tamil festival celebrated in the premises of Nagore Dargah.

Celebration of Kanduri Festival
It is 14 day annual event celebrated during the Urs or the death anniversary of the saint Shahul Hamid. The festival is celebrated in commemoration of the anniversary of the saint`s death, and pilgrims participate in the rituals and rites. The word kanduri is derived from the Persian word for table cloth. The festival is also called Qadir Wali Ke Fande festival.

Observation of Kanduri Festival
A saffron flag-carrying ceremony is observed, during which a flag is carried from a devotee`s house to the Nagore dargah, accompanied by a procession in streets. The flag is hoisted on a tree known as Fande ka Fahad by a Sirang which is known as the hereditary trustee who is assisted by twenty assistants.

Islamic Rites in Kanduri Festival
The Islamic rites are performed in Kanduri Festival. It is performed during the festival including the recitation of Quaranic verses and observance of Fatiha (it includes; recitation of Al-Fatiha an essential part of daily prayer and Durood).

Attraction of Kanduri Festival
The main attraction of Kanduri Festival is the presence of Fakhir Jamas (mendicant priests) and Qalandars, the disciples of the saint who witness the festival. On the 9th day of Jamathul Akhir month in the Islamic calendar, at 10 p.m., a pir (one of the disciples) is chosen for the spiritual exercise of offering prayers to the saint. The disciple throws lemons at the end of the prayers on devotees, which is believed to provide miraculous relief to worldly sorrows.

Unity of Kanduri Festival
Kanduri Festival is also seen as a sacred exchange between Hindus and Muslims expressing solidarity of mixed faith in the region. Pilgrims from both the religions from the state and also from Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Gulf countries, attend the festival.

Santhanakoodu in Kanduri Festival
In the evening of the ninth day of Akhir month in the Islamic calendar, a chariot is prepared containing sandal paste which is locally called "santhanakoodu". This holy sandalwood is pulled across the streets of Nagore by pilgrims and devotees, accompanied by banging of instruments from the temple complex of Nagore dargah. The sandal paste is received by the saint Shahul Hamid"s descendants and used to anoint the Rowla Sharif (sanctum) of the saint by the Khalifa of the dargah.