By Raqib Hameed Naik, TwoCircles.net
Srinagar : Thousands of devotees from across the Valley on Monday, December, 15 thronged to the Shrine of Khawaja Naqashbandh Sahib (RA) shrine in the old City at Khwaja Bazaar, Nowhatta, Srinagar to offer congregational prayers called “Khawaja Digar”
The Urs of Hazrat Khwaja Baha-ud-Din Muhammad Naqshband Bukhrai (RA) is celebrated on the 3rd Rabi-ul-Awal every year, besides the gatherings for special prayers (khatmat-muazzamat) are held for twelve days i.e. from 21st Safar to 3rd Rabi-ul Awal. These gatherings are held every day at 8 AM in the Khanqah-i-Naqshbandiya. On the urs day after the Asr prayers, special mass prayers are held called ‘Khoja Digar’. This practice continues as a tradition from the times of Hazrat Khwaja Khawand Mahmood i.e. from 1017 AH- 405 years
Despite biting cold, men, women and children were seen visiting the shrine to pay their obeisance since morning and were offering special prayers. Thousands offered prayers outside the shrine on the main road as devotees were jostling for space.
Dr Umar Farooq addressed the mammoth gathering and threw light on the life and the teachings of , Prophet Muhammad(SAW) and asked the Ummah to follow Quran and Sunnah. He also threw light on the life of Hazrat Sheikh Hamzah Makhdoom (RA) adding that the saint made historic contribution towards the people of Kashmir and spread of Islam in the Valley.
Here are the photos depicting how valley commemorated the Urs of Hazrat Khwaja Baha-ud-Din Muhammad Naqshband Bukhrai (RA) :
