A holy car at the Nagore Dargah here was today partially burnt in a mysterious fire, police said.
Nagappatinam town station Inspector Manimaran said police have launched investigations after a complaint was lodged that the holy car, locked inside a shed, was found enveloped in flames by a person engaged in its beautification works at 4 am today.
Fire tenders parked near the dargah in connection with its ongoing 14-day annual festival rushed to the spot and extinguished the blaze.
The cause for the fire is not immediately known.
Police are maintaining tight vigil as a large number of pilgrims from various part of the country have thronged the holy town in connection with the festival.
The Dargah of Saint Hazrath Syed Shahul Hameed Quadir Wali at Nagore is more than 500 years old and the death anniversary of the saint is celebrated as 'Kandoori Festival' every year for 14 days.
The holy car being anointed with sandalwood paste and its procession to be taken out on April 10, known as 'Sandanakoodu' procession, are most important events in the festival, which commenced on April one with the hoisting of the holy flag.
