Thousands gather for 127th Urs celebration at Baba Nagri Shrine in Ganderbal

Ganderbal, June 08: Ganderbal witnessed a massive congregation of tens of thousands of devotees who flocked to Baba Nagri to attend the 127th Urs of Hazrat Baba Nizam-ud-Din Kiyanvi (RA). The two-day Urs, marked by fervor and merriment, concluded on Thursday with a grand joint prayer at Baba Nagri in Wangat Kangan, located in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district.
This annual Urs, which commenced on June 07, commenced with Quran Khawani, Daroud Azqar, and Khatmat-ul-Mozama, followed by night-long prayers. The festivities culminated on June 8 with a powerful joint prayer session.
Having its roots in the 19th century, this year’s Urs marked the 127th annual celebration, with each passing year witnessing an increase in enthusiasm among the devotees.
People from both within and outside Kashmir thronged Baba Nagri to partake in the Urs. Apart from paying their respects at the Dargah of Hazrat Baba Nizam-ud-Din Kiyani (RA), they actively participated in the night-long Shab-khawani and Daroud Azqar gatherings held during the Urs.
On the final day of the Urs, a collective prayer was held where devotees fervently prayed for peace, prosperity, unity, brotherhood, and communal harmony in the state.
Tens of thousands of individuals from various districts such as Poonch, Rajouri, Kathua, Kala Court, Doda, Shopian, Bandipora, Baramulla, Ganderbal, and others participated in the two-day Urs, either individually or in groups. Some traveled long distances on foot, while others arrived in buses, demonstrating their unwavering devotion.
Mohd Aslam Khatana, a devotee from Kangan, shared that he has been visiting the Baba Nagri shrine since childhood. “We come here, whether in groups or alone, in buses or on foot. It is essential for us to be here,” he expressed.
Another devotee described his visits as a source of spiritual rejuvenation. “After visiting this holy place, my mind and body are soothed. I attain spiritual satisfaction,” he shared.
The Urs also served as a platform for generous donations. In addition to cash offerings, pilgrims donated livestock, including cattle and sheep, as well as essential food items like maize, rice, corn, and pulses.
The congregation witnessed the presence of several religious figures, including Sajadh Nasheen Mian Altaf Ahmad and numerous Islamic scholars. Speaking at the event, Mian Altaf Ahmed shed light on the life and contributions of Hazrat Baba Nizam-ud-Din (RA) and the late Mian Bashir Ahmad.
Mian Altaf Ahmad urged the participants to work for the betterment of humanity and to follow the teachings of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH). Stressing the importance of brotherhood and harmony, he advised devotees to maintain regular prayer habits (Nimaz).
Several religious scholars also addressed the gathering, emphasizing the teachings and altruistic efforts of this revered religious personality throughout his life for the welfare of mankind.
Mian Altaf Ahmad stated that by adhering to the teachings of Islam, individuals can lead peaceful and dignified lives while strengthening the foundations of communal harmony.