Nagore Durgha Sheriff
History
The shrine is dedicated to Syed Shahul Hamid, a 13th century Muslim saint of Nagore, Tamil Nadu, India. It was built around 1800 by Tamil Muslim traders from Thanjavur who settled in Penang, and brought the tradition of the saint with them.
Architecture
Described as the oldest, Muslim Indian shrine in Penang with its original structure preserved, its architecture is characteristic of the south Indian style. Rectangular in shape, at each corner is a small, tapered minaret separated by a lattice screen, with a burji indicating the plinth level of the building.
The front entrance has four arches spanning a portico through which worshippers pass to enter the prayer hall. Two onion-shaped domes are each surmounted by an inverted lotus and an Indian kalasha. One wall has a built-in arcade where there are several shops selling Muslim prayer items. There was originally a well situated at the shrine.
References
- ^ Alan Teh Leam Seng (8 July 2021). "George Town's multifaceted heritage". New Straits Times. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
- ^ Khoo, Salma Nasution (2007). Streets of George Town, Penang (2nd ed.). Areca Books. p. 72. ISBN 978-9839886009.
- ^ Ahmad Sanusi Hasan, Asif Ali (10 July 2019). "Colonial Influence On Indian Muslim Religious Monuments In Penang". International Transaction Journal of Engineering, Management, & Applied Sciences & Technologies: 5.