Nagore Dargah Administration
Nagore Dargah is administered exactly according to the 1955 Madras High Court Scheme.
The structure includes:
- Hereditary Kalifa (Chief Spiritual Head & First Trustee)
- Hereditary Trustees (Administration Body)
- Managing Trustee (Administration Head)
- Advisory Board President & Members (Finance Body)
- Dargah Manager (Dargah Operations & Daily Administration)
Hereditary Kalifa
Position:
Supreme Spiritual Head (Sajjada Nasheen / Gaddi Nasheen / Leading Priest)
Hereditary First Trustee
Holder of all traditional religious rights
Appointment:
Hereditary succession only
No election, no term limit
Role & Powers Spiritual Powers:
Leads all major rituals: Urs, Kanduri, Flag Post Hoisting
Conducts prayers, blessings (Dua), and sacred ceremonies
Custodian of sacred relics & traditions
Final authority in all spiritual matters
Administrative Powers (as First Trustee):
Equal voting power in the Board of Trustees
Automatic member of the Trustee Board
Term:
Lifetime (hereditary)
Members Count:
Hereditary Kalifa: 1 person
Hereditary Trustees:
Position:
Trustees from families recognized in the 1955 Scheme.
Appointment:
Hereditary succession only
Role & Powers:
Participate in all Trustee Board decisions
Supervise maintenance, properties, festivals & Dargah operations
Equal administrative voting power
Term:
Lifetime
Members Count:
Hereditary Trustees: 8 Members
Managing Trustee:
Position:
Administrative Head of Nagore Dargah
Appointment:
Elected by the Trustees, from among Trustees
Typically every 3 years
Role & Powers:
Handles daily administration
Implements Trustee Board decisions
Oversees staff, accounts, property, festival arrangements
Signs official documents
Coordinates with Advisory Board for finance reports
Term:
3 Years (renewable)
Members Count:
Managing Trustee: 1 person
Advisory Board (Finance Supervisory Body):
Position:
Finance-related supervisory committee only
Purpose (Limited to Finances):
Review accounts
Budget approval assistance
Recommend financial actions
They CANNOT:
Interfere in spiritual matters
Override the Kalifa
Override the Trustees
Take administrative decisions
Term:
Usually 3 Years
Advisory Board President:
Position:
Head of the Advisory Board
Appointment:
Elected every 3 Years by Advisory Board members
Role & Powers:
Leads financial review meetings
Signs advisory recommendations
Coordinates with Managing Trustee
No spiritual or administrative powers
Members Count:
Advisory Board President: 1 person
Advisory Board Members:
Role:
Assist in finance examinations
Support Advisory Board President
Only financial review support
Members Count:
Advisory Board Members: 11 persons
Dargah Manager:
Role:
Executes administrative instructions from Managing Trustee
Handles daily operational tasks
Supervises Dargah staff
Maintains office and visitor services
Members Count:
Dargah Manager: 1 person