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Tribune News Service
Srinagar, December 17
The annual Urs of Sultan-ul-Arifeen Hazrat Sheikh Hamza Makhdoom Sahib was observed with traditional fervour today.
Despite cold weather, a sea of devotees thronged the shrine of the revered Sufi saint located at Hari Parbat hill, also known as Koh-e-Maraan throughout the course of the day.
Traditionally, devotees cutting across religious lines visit the shrine for 12 consecutive days prior to the main Urs day (today) to get their wishes fulfilled.
A caretaker of the shrine said devotees from all over the Valley remained engaged in supplications just like past traditions today besides offering five times’ prayers.
Devotees were also seen feeding pigeons on the occasion. The area outside the shrine wore a festive look as several stalls selling eatables and other articles such as prayer caps and religious books had been 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.
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