Culture
Islam in Tamil Nadu got spread mainly by Wali (Sufi Saints) and through trade by Muslims from Arabia, Middle East and Malaysia. Tamil Muslims have a very high influence of Sufism culture where the real love for humanity and tolerance was practiced. There is a great Sufi Dargha in Podakkudi called Noor Mohammed Shah Waliullah Dargha. It is said that this great saint was in penance where the present Dargha is located today. There is a Urus function conducted every year for this Waliullah Wali, to gather all the religious minds alike. The place Podakkudi as it is known today, it would not have existed without this Holy Dargha Shareef.
Origin of Podakkudi village is due to existence of the Holy Dargha Shareef of Noor Muhammad Shah Waliullah, which was foretold by Nagore Shahul Hameed Badhshah Waliullah who had crossed across this region. It is said that the village was named initially known as Pirai Kodi (Crescent Flag), when the great Walliullah Shahul Hameed Badhshah Nayagam whose resting place is in Nagore Dargha was crossing a near by village Koothanallur at that time, faced towards the direction of this village and mentioned that a flag with a crescent symbol will flutter. This is the reason for the name of the village, Podakkudi being derived from Pirai Kodi (Crescent Flag). At first Piraikodi and then Porakodi to now Podakkudi. It is situated in between Noor Muhammad Shah Waliullah Dargah (also known as Noorappa Dargah) in the South and Annoorul Muhammadia Arabic Madrassa in the North.
To bring Podakkudi to current wealthy status, early people of the Periya Palli and Mela palli jama'ath, have worked hard for the uplifting in unity and harmony in the past. These are the well wishers who donated their money for well being of this Muslim community by the hard-on money earned from countries like Myanmar (Burma), Laos, Singapore, Malaysia and the Middle-East. To bring about infrastructure developments like Schools and Hospitals. Around 500 years ago, people from other parts of Tamil Nadu, migrated to this place, mainly Rawthers who sought the blessing from the Noorappa Dargha and were accepted by the broad minded native people of Podakkudi, who were of considerably poor background.
The Tamil Muslim culture is being followed here . The people are very traditional and conservative in their lifestyle. The women folks wear sarees/pathai lungi at home and they wear Burkha and Thuppati (veil), a Muslim-type Hijab to cover the body, while going out. The men folks wear Lungi (kailee) and shirt. The Burkha system has been strictly adhered by all women with traditional and conservative look in this village which means all women are whole heartily following sharia law and implement accordingly without any fear and comment. There are 5 Sunnath Wal Jama'ath Masjids existing following the Hanafi School of Shari'a law. Namely: (1) Periyapalli (Big Masjid) (2) Melappalli (West Masjid) (3) Fathima Masjid (4) Pudhumanaipalli (New Masjid) (5) Jannathul Firdaus Masjid.
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