Naveed Ul Haq

Budgam, Oct 02 (KNO): The annual Urs of Kashmir’s revered sufi saint Hazrat  Sheikh Noorudin Noorani popularly known as Sheikh-ul-Aalam (RA) commenced at Charar-e-Sharief in central Kashmir’s Budgam district on Saturday.

However, for the second consecutive year, there were no night-long prayers at the shrine in the wake of Covid pandemic.

Wakaf Board Administrator Abdul Salam told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the annual Urs of the saint is marked with the change of sacred cloth (Gilaf) on the grave of the saint every year.

“Annual Urs of Sheikhul Alam (RA) also known as Alamdar-e-Kashmir is being observed at Central Kashmir’s Charar-e-Sharief on October 4 (i.e 26th day of Islamic month of Saffar),” he said.

Keeping in view of Covid pandemic, the devotees without facemask were denied entry by the police at the main gate and no nightlong prayers were held at the Shrine.

However, hundreds of devotees who came from different areas of the Valley participated in the holy event of cloth changing (Gilaf changing).  Also, special prayers were held at the shrine throughout the day. Emotional scenes were witnessed at the shrine as people were seen crying while praying before the Almighty.

Meanwhile, man officials visited the shrine and took stock of the arrangements made for smooth conduct of annual Urs—(KNO)