Thangal Para: a Sufi shrine on Vagamon hills

The annual Uroos festival at Thangal Para in Kolahalamedu was held recently. The festivities began with the flag hoisting ceremony at 9.30 am and went on till late in the evening.

The legend

It is said that about 800 years ago, Husrath Sheikh Fariduddin Baba, a Sufi saint arrived in these rolling hills along with 40 followers. He stayed on and his teachings were widely accepted. The huge rock you see near the darghah, it is said, was the rock on which the Baba used to grind his paan. 

The festival

The Uroos held in April is the main festival here. During the festival, a special sweet dish called Ganjusakkar is made and offered to all. Thousands gather at the hill and offer prayers on this special day. 

Reaching Thangal Para

Thangal Para is about five kilometers from Vagamon. Take a deviation from down the Elappara route and you will reach the dargah