Baba Nagri Urs concludes

Wangath (Kangan), Jun 8: The two-day annual Urs of HazratMianNizam-ud-Din Kiyanvi (RA) concluded here on Monday with ‘DuaMajlis’ (special prayers) in the morning.

The 130th annual Urs which commenced here at Baba Nagri in Kangan area of Ganderbal district on Sunday was observed with great religious fervour and gaiety in which tens of thousands of devotees from different parts of the Jammu and Kashmir and outside participated.

The two-day annual Urs is observed in the first fortnight of June every year with thousands of devotees from within and outside J&K thronging the two-day event. Night-long prayers were held during the Urs and Quran Khawani, Darood-e-Azkar, and Khatmat-ul-Mozamat were held.

Hundreds of vehicles carrying thousands of devotees had started reaching here from last couple of days to participate in the annual Urs and pay obeisance at the shrine situated at the base of a mountain in a scenic setting. Surrounded by still surviving forests, the shrine and its vicinity become the hub of religious activities every year.

The Urs dates back to 19th century, with this year being the 130th annual Urs.

During recent years, the enthusiasm has only been growing.

On the concluding day of Urs, a joint prayer was held in which devotees prayed for peace, prosperity, unity, brotherhood, and communal harmony in J&K.

The devotees who had come from different areas of J&K, particularly Rajouri, Doda, Udhampur, Poonch, Kishtwar, Shopian, Kathua, Doda, Anantnag, Kupwara, Bandipora, and Baramulla visit the shrine every year.

“I have been visiting this place for last 10 years,” a devotee Syed Zulfikar from Poonch said.

Baba Ji Sahib (RA) had migrated to this place from Hazara division of Pakistan some 122 years ago on the instructions of his teacher.

Baba Ji had come to Kashmir at the age of 30.

He lived here for almost 33 years and passed away at the age of 63.

SajadaNasheen Baba Ji SahabLarvi, Wangath, MianAltaf Ahmad, who is the son of renowned religious personality and veteran Gujjar leader late Mian Bashir Ahmad, and scores of Islamic scholars participated in the congregation.

MianAltaf urged the faithful to follow the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), maintain communal harmony, and protect youth from the scourge of drugs.

He praised the late saint’s legacy of service and scholarship and noted a surge in attendance this year.

Altaf highlighted the life and contribution of Hazrat Baba Nizam-ud-Din (RA) and late Mian Bashir Ahmad Larvi.

He emphasised participants to work for the welfare of humanity and follow the teachings of Prophet Mohammad (SAW).

Calling for maintaining brotherhood and amity, Altaf advised devotees to offer Nimaz regularly.

In a message to youth, he advised them to stay away from social evils, particularly drug addiction, and be respectful.

Altaf also hailed the 100-day NashaMuktAbhiyan J&K by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and said that it needs a united effort to curb this menace.

He asked the parents to keep watch on their children and guide them to right path and better future.

Various religious scholars also spoke and threw light on teachings and religious work rendered by Baba Ji during his life for the welfare of mankind.

Speaking on the saint’s life, Maulana Ghulam MohiuddinNaqashbandi recalled that MianNizamuddinKiyanwi (RA), a Kashmiri by origin, had migrated to Hazara in present-day Pakistan before returning to Baba Nagri to preach Islam for over three decades.

A prolific scholar, he authored works on Fiqh and Sufism, including Asrar-e-Kabaree and Malfoozat-e-Nizame.

The Urs coincides with the nomadic Gujjar migration, and many tribespeople arrived with livestock to offer prayers.

Devotees, including families in traditional attire, lined the roads leading to the shrine.

Talking to Greater Kashmir, MianAltaf said that a sea of people from across Jammu and Kashmir attended this year’s Urs.

He said that the number of devotees was massive and was increasing every year.

He said that prayers were held for peace, prosperity, and harmony to prevail in the Jammu and Kashmir.

Altaf thanked the administration for facilitating devotees during the Urs.

“Our management was well-prepared and full-fledged arrangements were made for locals to prevent inconvenience,” he said.

The civil administration, J&K Police, Traffic Police Rural, and Health Department had made arrangements for the Urs.

According to the shrine management, a 24-hour free community kitchen was put in place for the devotees visiting here throughout the year.

“The shrine management on Urs days arranges a special langar where food for thousands of people is prepared,” Mian Mehhar Ali, who was looking after the arrangements, told Greater Kashmir.