11-day Urs Dastageer Saheb starts today

Srinagar: The annual Urs of the 11th century Sufi saint Shaikh Syed Abdul Qadir Jeelani, known as Peer Dastageer Saheb by devotees, will begin from tomorrow. The Urs celebrations are mainly held at the shrines of Dastageer Sahib located at the Khanyar and Sarai Bala areas here.A caretaker of the shrine at Sarai Bala said the 11-day Urs would begin from tomorrow. He said renowned Islamic scholars would deliver sermons at the shrine at 12.30 pm daily during the Urs period.He said preparations were in a full swing to cater to a large rush of devotees expected from tomorrow. He said many devotees offer prayers and pay obeisance at the shrines for 11 consecutive days to get their wishes fulfilled.Both shrines wore a festive look and several stalls selling local delicacies and other goods had been set up outside the premises. Markets outside the shrines were also decorated with colourful lights.The shrines are devoted to Shaikh Syed Abdul Qadir Jeelani even as his actual shrine is located at Baghdad in Iraq. Both shrines house the holy relics of the Sufi saint that are displayed on the Urs day. Even though the saint never visited Kashmir in person, he is highly revered by the locals.J&K Wakf Board vice-chairman Peer Mohammad Hussain had on Tuesday convened a meeting to review arrangements for the smooth conduct of the Urs. — TNS