Rehan Qayoom Mir
Srinagar, Oct 18: A fervour of devotion gripped Srinagar as the ‘Friday following’ Urs of Hazrat Sheikh Syed Abdul Qadir Jeelani (RA) was celebrated with zeal and zest, with thousands of devotees thronging the shrine in the city’s Khanyar area.
To observe the Urs, all roads led to the shrine, with long queues of people moving toward the shrine with devotion. As the faithful gathered, the air was devotional with the sounds of Quranic verses and collective prayers.
The holy relic was displayed at the shrine with emotional scenes witnessed. People were seen crying while raising their hands towards the Almighty and asking for blessings.
At the crowded chowk of Khanyar were men, women, and children, all crying and asking for blessings from the Almighty while their eyes were moist amid hues and cries. Standing in the crowd was an elderly man raising his hands for forgiveness, with tears rolling down his cheeks.
The devotees said he had been visiting Khanyar since childhood. “I first came here along with my father and now I bring my children here with me. This place gives me peace,” said Mukhtar Ahmad, from Budgam.
Raja Begum, a devotee, said she comes here every year with a heart full of prayers and leaves with peace. “I am emotional today and feel an eternal peace,” she said.
Authorities had made arrangements to ensure smooth management of the Urs by ensuring security and facilities for the comfort of the devotees.
