Srinagar, Sep 21: The annual Urs of Sultan-ul-Arifeen Hazrat Sheikh Hamza Makhdoom Sahib (RA) commenced on Wednesday with devotees thronging the shrine of the revered Sufi saint here.
Numerous followers including women and children flocked to the Kohimaran mountaintop where special prayers, salutations, and supplications were held.
The saint, popularly known as Makhdoom Sahib or Sultan-ul-Arifeen, is one of the venerated sages of the city and his followers have been paying obeisance at the shrine for more than 440 years.
Every year, the annual Urs is observed during the Safar month, according to the Islamic calendar. The 13-day celebration in the month of “Safar” starts on the 11th and ends on the 24th. The main event with nightlong prayers is typically observed during the intervening nights of the 23rd and 24th at the shrine, signaling the conclusion of the yearly Urs every year. Special prayers are held during the day on all of these days.
On this occasion, religious experts shed light on Hazrat Sheikh Hamza Maqdoom’s teachings (RA). The mystic, who had a sizable following, helped thousands of people progress in the spiritual realm.
The Urs was also commemorated throughout the Kashmir valley by holding special prayers at various locations, which were attended by thousands of people. However, the largest gathering took place at the Kohi-Maran hill shrine of Hazrat Sheikh Makdoom Sahib RA in the city.
Hundreds of people congregated at the well-known shrine from various locations throughout the valley and offered collective prayers for the well-being of the region.
The cleric of the shrine shed light on the saint’s services in bringing Islam to Jammu and Kashmir as the followers of the prophet Muhammad (SAW) presented Durud (praise to the prophet) to the prophet Muhammad (SAW).
The devotees paid glowing tributes to Makhdoom Sahab on the special occasion and said the shrine had been a source of inspiration and spiritual guidance for all the devotees visiting the shrine.
