Asian Mail
Srinagar: The annual Urs Mubarak of Hazrat Sheikh Syed Abdul Qadir Jeelani (R.A) popularly known as Dastgeer Sahib (R.A) was celebrated with religious fervour on Tuesday. The biggest event was held in Khanyar Srinagar.
Night long prayers were also held at Dastgir Sahib Khanyar and Sarai Bala in which people from distant areas participated. After prayers, the holy relic of the saint was displayed before a large number of devotees.
The Emotional scenes unfolded at the shrines as devotees, including women and children, offered earnest prayers amidst sobs and tears, overwhelmed by their deep faith.
The main Urs was held at the Dastgeer Sahib Shrine in Khanyar, stalls selling local delicacies and various goods adorned the premises, and the nearby marketplaces were aglow with colourful lights, adding to the joyous atmosphere.
The Urs of Hazrat Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jeelani (RA) is traditionally celebrated in the fourth month of the Islamic Hijri calendar, Rabi-Us-Sani. Remarkably, these two shrines in Kashmir are dedicated to the 12th-century Sufi saint, despite his never having visited the region in person. His profound spiritual influence has led to his veneration by the locals, making these Urs celebrations a cherished tradition.
The religious fervour of the Urs was not limited to Srinagar, as other parts of the Kashmir Valley also celebrated the Urs of Hazrat Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jeelani (RA) with great enthusiasm, emphasizing the enduring spiritual connection between the saint and the people of Kashmir.