Rehan Qayoom Mir
Srinagar, Aug 19: The annual Urs of revered Sufi saint, Hazrat Sheikh Hamza Makhdoom Sahib (RA), was observed with immense devotion in Srinagar on Tuesday, as thousands of devotees from across the Valley gathered at the historic shrine located on the beautiful Hari Parbat.
Throughout the night, the shrine reverberated with soulful recitation of the Holy Quran, Naats, and special prayers. The shrine of Makhdoom Sahib was illuminated by floodlights, with the chants of “Ameen” echoing through the night, creating a scene of deep spiritual fervor.
Devotees in large numbers including men, women, elderly and children, thronged the shrine since last evening for the “Shab Khawani,” while the main Urs day today witnessed an even larger gathering, with people offering prayers and participating in spiritual discourses.
For many, the occasion was more than a ritual; it was a night of divine connection. “Last night was filled with peace and light. The entire Makhdoom Sahab area felt alive with prayers,” Ghulam Nabi, a devotee from Srinagar, adding “today, being here for the Urs fills our hearts with blessings.”
Zainab, a female, who had travelled from Budgam, said the Urs is a reminder of Kashmir’s deep-rooted spiritual traditions. “Thousands come here, but every individual feels the saint’s presence in their own heart. It is love and devotion that bring us together,” she said.
Meanwhile, the authorities had made elaborate arrangements for the Urs, with security and volunteer staff ensuring smooth conduct of prayers and rituals. Local vendors, meanwhile, set up stalls around the shrine, adding to the traditional atmosphere of festivity.
As the day progressed, waves of devotees continued to pour in, bowing their heads in reverence, paying homage to the saint fondly remembered as ‘Sultan-ul-Arifeen.’ The Urs once again reaffirmed the spiritual unity of Kashmir, keeping alive the centuries-old Sufi heritage of the Valley.
