Devotees assemble at Dastgeer Sahib (RA) shrine on annual Urs

The annual Urs of Hazrat Sheikh Syed Abdul Qadir Jeelani (RA), popularly known as Peer Dastageer Sahib on Monday observed across Kashmir with special prayers being organised at Khanyar, Saraibal and Rah-Bab Sahib shrines in the city. Scores of devotees including women and children thronged the shrines to participate in the specially organised prayers, salutations and supplications. While devotees remained engrossed in prayers and supplications, emotional scenes of people praying with tears in their eyes were witnessed when the holy relic of the revered saint was displayed. Devotees usually pay obeisance at the shrine for 11 days till the main Urs day. Besides Sarai Bal, the main Urs was held at the Dastageer Sahib Shrine located at Khanyar in old Srinagar city. Both the shrines are devoted to the 11th-century Sufi saint whose actual shrine is located at Baghdad in Iraq. Even though the saint never visited Kashmir in person, he is highly revered by the locals. Both the shrines wear festive looks during Urs days as several stalls selling food items and other goods are set up outside. The night-long prayers were also said at shrines at Varmul, Pinjura Shopian, Sirhama, Handwara and Tujjar Sharief in Sopore. The imams and the clerics in different shrines shed light on the life, teachings and the spiritual power of Sheikh Sayyad Abdul Qadir Jilani (RA).