Devotees throng Dastgeer Sahab (RA) shrine, participate in congregational prayers

Srinagar, Nov 19: Hundreds of devotees Friday converged at Dastgeer Sahab shrine here in Khanyar and Sarai Bala in Srinagar on the eve of Friday following to participate in the congregational prayers.
The annual Urs of the 11th century Sufi saint, Sheikh Syed Abdul Qadir Jeelani (RA), known as Dastageer Sahib was observed with religious fervor on Wednesday. The annual Urs of Dastgeer Sahab (RA) is being annually observed on the 11th day of Rabi Al Thani—the fourth month of the Islamic Hijri Calendar.
The two shrines on the name of Dastgeer Sahab situated in Srinagar areas including Khanyar and Sarai Bala witnessed a huge congregational gathering throughout the day today, during which emotional scenes were seen while the holy relic of the revered saint was displayed in the shrines.
The biggest congregational prayers were held at Khanyar shrine here as thousands of people thronged the shrine throughout the day and participated in the mandatory congregational Friday prayers.
During the special prayers, the religious clerics threw light on the teachings of revered saint. The devotees also participated in the special prayers today.
The shrines were decorated by the caretakers of the shrines while the traders had also erected banners, displaying the greeting messages on this day.
Outside the shrines, the local and non-local business establishments had installed the carts and were seen selling the Kashmir traditional food stuff.
Pertinently, the Dastageer Sahib shrine located at Khanyar in old Srinagar city, was damaged in a mysterious blaze in 2012 following the authorities renovated it with a different look. The actual shrine of the revered saint is located at Baghdad in Iraq.
Even though the saint never visited Kashmir in person, he is highly revered by the locals. (KNO)