By: Qiesar Baba
Srinagar: Hundreds of devotees on Wednesday throng Sufi shrine of Hazrat Sheikh Syed Abdul Qadir Jeelani at Khanyar in downtown Srinagar to pay obeisance on the occasion of annual Urs being celebrated with gaiety and religious fervour across the Kashmir Valley.
Despite of the prevailing cold conditions, men, women and children were even seen walking besides using all means of transport to reach the Sufi shrine popularly known as “Dastgeer Sahib” at Khanyar to attend the “Dhur namaaz”, the midday congregational prayers.
The “Dhur namaaz” was led by Head Priest Moulana Nazir Ahmad Qadri and followed by the display of the holy relic before the devotees by another priest.
The holy relic would be displayed after every namaaz for the two days and on the following Friday before the devotees.
The shrine is dedicated to Hazrat Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jelani Baghdadi, saint and a renowned scholar, also called as “Dastgeer sahib” by local populace in Kashmir valley.
This shrine was built in 1860. His “relic” is displayed after every “Namaaz” on various religious festivals and during annual Urs by the priest before the devotees at Khanyar and Sariabala in Srinagar.
A limited number of people were allowed to attend “Shab Khawani” night long prayers in the shrine on Tuesday due to Covid restrictions. Special prayers were held for the peace and prosperity of the people of Kashmir.
Authorities had made adequate arrangements of cleaning all roads leading to the shrine, besides keeping available water and electricity in the vicinity.
Medical camps were also erected at several places along the roads leading to the shrine for the benefit of devotees.
Vendors had put their stalls on both sides of the roads selling all available items besides a variety of traditional Kashmiri snacks. (UNI)
