Rehan Qayoom Mir
Srinagar, Oct 15: As thousands of devotees flocked to Khanyar for the annual Urs of Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jeelani (RA), the local stall vendors and shops in Khanyar area saw a major boost in sales, benefiting from the large crowds gathered for the religious occasion.
The streets leading to the shrine were packed with devotees, creating an opportunity for local businesses to thrive.
Vendors selling food items, prayer mats, breads, and religious books, traditional Kashmiri garments experienced a significant increase in the sales throughout the day.
Mushtaq Ahmad, a vendor selling religious books near the shrine, said this is the time of year that he looks forward to. “Our sales have witnessed a significant increase during these days. It’s a blessing not just spiritually, but economically as well,” he said.
The food stalls set up along the routes leading to the shrine also saw an increase in business, with vendors selling local delicacies reporting a constant flow of customers throughout the day.
Bashir Ahmad, who runs a tea stall near the shrine, said he has been serving tea to the devotees since morning, and he hasn’t had a moment to rest. “The atmosphere is filled with devotion, and it brings good fortune for us as well. I sold out twice today and had to restock,” he said.
Another shopkeeper outside the shrine said the Urs Mubarak is a time when his shop is flooded with customers. “People come here to pray, but they also buy religious items to take back home. This event always helps us make good earnings,” he said.
Meanwhile, as the Urs Mubarak continues to draw thousands of devotees to Khanyar, local businesses are hopeful about the coming days, expecting the foot traffic and sales to remain strong throughout the celebrations, and on Friday following the Urs as well.
