A sea of devotees thronged the shrine of Sultan-ul-Arifeen Hazrat Sheikh Hamza Makhdoom Sahib as the annual Urs of the revered saint was observed with traditional fervour here today.
Devotees paid obeisance throughout the day at the shrine of the revered Sufi saint located at Hari Parbat, also known as Koh-e-Maraan.
Traditionally, hardcore devotees cutting across religious lines visited the shrine for 12 consecutive days prior to the main Urs day (today) as per past practice.
A caretaker of the shrine said the devotees usually pay obeisance at the shrine for 13 consecutive days to get their wishes fulfilled. He said devotees from all over the Valley remained engaged in supplications just like past traditions today besides offering prayer five times.
While several devotees were seen feeding pigeons on the occasion, the area in and outside the shrine wore a festive look as several stalls selling eatables and other articles such as prayer caps and religious books were set up.
The Sufi saint, who is popularly known as Makhdoom Sahib and Sultan-ul-Arifeen meaning “King of Gnostics”, is the most venerated sage of the summer capital and his followers have been paying obeisance at the shrine for nearly 500 years now.
Makhdoom Sahib lived in the 16th century and originally hailed from Tujjar Sharif in present day north Kashmir’s Baramulla district. The sage, however, spent most of his lifetime praying at the mountain where his shrine is currently located.
Urs Makhdoom Sahib observed with fervour
