Srinagar: Thousands of people thronged Wangat Kangan also known as Baba Nagri to attend the 125th Urs of Hazrat Baba Nizam-ud-Din Kiyani (RA) in Ganderbal district of central Kashmir.
More than one lakh devotees paid obeisance on the 127th Urs of Sufi saint, Mian Nizamuddin Kiyanwi (RA) at the Baba Nagri shrine in the Wangat area of Ganderbal district of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the two-day Urs was celebrated with great enthusiasm and gaiety and concluded with special and joint prayers.
The Urs dates back to the 19th century, with this year being the 127th annual Urs.
Devotees from different corners, particularly Rajouri, Doda, Udhampur, Poonch, Kishtwar, Shopian, Doda, Islamabad, Kupwara and Bandipora districts, reached Baba Nagri, besides paying obeisance on the Dargah of Hazrat Baba Nizam-ud-Din Kiyani (RA) attended the congregation.
On the concluding day, a joint prayer was held in which devotees prayed for peace, prosperity, unity, brotherhood and communal harmony in the territory. Earlier, Quran Khwani and Darood-o-Azqar were also held during nightlong prayers.
Children and women in colourful attires and men in bright headgear were a common sight along the road leading to Baba Nagri. The Urs comes at a time when the nomadic Gujjars are on their annual migration, many carry their livestock along. “We come along with our livestock and pay obeisance here for a happy year,” said Muhammad Ashraf, a nomad.
A devotee Syed Zulfikar from Rajouri said that he had been visiting the shrine for the last several years and feels blessed by paying obeisance here.
Maulana Ghulam Muhiudin Naqashbandi, while throwing light on the 127th Urs of Hazrat Mian Nizamuddin Kiyanwai (RA), said that he originally belonged to Kashmir and had migrated to the Hazara division of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in Pakistan during the late 19th century.
He was mentored by another Sufi Saint Hazrat Nizamuddin Wali Kiyanawi (RA). Later he was asked to return to Baba Nagri in Kashmir and preach Islam at peace. He lived and preached here for the next 33 years, and lies buried in the shrine.
He was from the Naqashbandi legacy. He also wrote Islamic books including Asrar-e-Kabaree and Malfoozat-e-Nizame on Fiqah and Tasawwuf. After his death, his son, Hazrat Mian Nizamuddin carried forward his legacy.
Meanwhile, according to the shrine management, a 24-hour free langar (free meals) is 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 Mehar Ali, who was looking after the arrangements, told media men.
