The annual urs of Hazrat Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jeelani, popularly known as Ghous-ul-Azam, Dastageer Sahib, a 11th century saint, was celebrated on Wednesday with religious fervor and gaiety in Kashmir valley.
Despite cold weather conditions, thousands of people, including women and children, participated in the night-long special prayers at shrines associated with Dastageer sahib.
The main function was organised at Khanyar in the Shehar-e-Khas (SeK) and Sarai-Bala near here.
Shab Khwani’ (nightlong prayers and supplications) was held in Sarai-Bala near till Wednesday morning. However, nightlong prayers were suspended in Khanyar Shrine.
While devotees kept thronging the shrine throughout the day, especially to catch a glimpse of the holy relic of the revered saint displayed on the occasion, many attended ‘Shab Khwani’ and ‘fajr’ (pre-dawn prayers), said a caretaker of the Sarai Bala shrine.
People from different parts of Kashmir valley and outside participated in the prayers at both shrines, where authorities besides the shrine managements had made all arrangements for the devotees. Private transporters have also made arrangements to bring devotees from different parts of the valley to shrines. People prayed for peace and prosperity in the UT.
Both shrines are devoted to Peer Dastageer Sahib, whose actual shrine is located at Baghdad in Iraq. Even though the saint never visited Kashmir, he is highly revered by the locals. Devotees usually pay obeisance at the shrines for 11 consecutive days till the main Urs. The shrines wore a festive look.Hundreds of vendors had put up stalls, particularly selling eatables, near the shrine. A number of local organisations were also seen distributing tea and meals to devotees on the occasion.
