Kashmir Impulse Desk

Srinagar, June 8

Tens of thousands of devotees from across Jammu and Kashmir and other parts of India gathered at Baba Nagri in Ganderbal district for the 130th annual Urs of Sufi saint Hazrat Mian Nizam-ud-Din Kiyani (RA), which concluded on Monday with special prayers for peace, prosperity and communal harmony.

The two-day religious congregation, held at Wangath in the Kangan area, drew devotees from districts including Rajouri, Poonch, Doda, Udhampur, Kishtwar, Kathua, Shopian, Anantnag, Kupwara, Bandipora and Baramulla, shrine authorities and participants said.

The annual Urs, observed during the first fortnight of June, featured night-long prayers, Quran recitations, Darood-e-Azkar and other religious ceremonies.

Hundreds of vehicles carrying pilgrims began arriving at the shrine several days before the event.

Situated at the foot of a forested mountain in the Sindh Valley, the shrine becomes a major centre of religious activity during the Urs, which dates back to the late 19th century.

On the concluding day, devotees participated in a collective prayer session, seeking peace, unity and brotherhood in Jammu and Kashmir.

Among those attending the gathering was Mian Altaf Ahmad Larvi, hereditary custodian of the shrine and member of parliament from Anantnag-Rajouri, who urged people to uphold the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), promote communal harmony and work for the welfare of humanity.

Addressing the congregation, Altaf called on young people to stay away from social evils, particularly drug addiction, and appealed to parents to guide their children towards a better future.

He also welcomed Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha’s anti-drug campaign, saying the fight against substance abuse required a collective effort from society.

“We must protect our youth from the menace of drugs and strengthen moral values in society,” Altaf told devotees.

Religious scholars attending the event highlighted the life and teachings of Hazrat Mian Nizam-ud-Din Kiyani (RA), describing him as a scholar and Sufi preacher who devoted his life to promoting Islamic teachings and social welfare.

According to shrine authorities, attendance at the Urs has grown steadily in recent years, with this year’s gathering among the largest witnessed at the shrine.

“The number of devotees is increasing every year,” Altaf said, adding that prayers were offered for lasting peace and prosperity in the region.

He thanked the civil administration, police, traffic authorities and health department for facilitating the smooth conduct of the event.

The shrine management said a round-the-clock community kitchen remained operational throughout the year and was expanded during the Urs to serve thousands of visiting devotees.

The annual congregation also coincides with the seasonal migration of Gujjar and Bakerwal communities, many of whom travelled with their livestock to attend the prayers and pay obeisance at the shrine.

Many devotees said the shrine’s spiritual atmosphere and the hospitality associated with the Mian family continued to attract people from diverse backgrounds.

Local residents described Baba Nagri as a symbol of Kashmir’s tradition of communal harmony and shared spiritual heritage, drawing visitors from different regions and communities every year.