BUDGAM — The annual Urs of revered Sufi saint Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Noorani, popularly known as Nund Rishi and Alamdar-e-Kashmir, was observed with religious fervour at Charar-e-Sharief in central Kashmir’s Budgam district on Friday, with devotees from across the Valley visiting the shrine to offer prayers.
Devotees thronged the historic shrine to participate in special prayers and Friday congregational prayers and pay homage to the saint, whose teachings of peace, humility, brotherhood and communal harmony continue to shape Kashmir’s spiritual and cultural traditions.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir Sujit Kumar also visited the shrine and reviewed the security arrangements made for the occasion.
Speaking to reporters, Kumar said comprehensive security measures had been put in place to ensure the safety of devotees and the smooth conduct of the religious congregation. He said arrangements had also been made to facilitate the movement of pilgrims and minimise inconvenience during the Urs.
Meanwhile, Mirwaiz Amir Uddin Shah of Charar-e-Sharief expressed satisfaction over the arrangements made by the administration and appreciated the Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board’s role in facilitating the annual congregation.
However, he raised concerns over the lack of a dedicated parking facility near the shrine, saying the issue continued to cause inconvenience to devotees, particularly those travelling from distant areas.
He said several devotees were reportedly asked by traffic police to park their vehicles three to four kilometres from the shrine and cover the remaining distance on foot.
The Mirwaiz said the arrangement caused particular hardship to elderly devotees and pilgrims arriving from far-flung areas to attend the religious gathering.
While appreciating the efforts of the administration and the Waqf Board, he urged the authorities to establish a designated parking facility near the shrine and introduce an effective traffic management plan to regulate vehicular movement and ease congestion during major religious occasions.
He stressed that the issue required a permanent solution rather than temporary arrangements made during the annual Urs.
Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Noorani, also known as Sheikh-ul-Alam, is among Kashmir’s most revered spiritual figures. His teachings of compassion, simplicity, social harmony and peaceful coexistence occupy a significant place in the Valley’s cultural and religious heritage.
The annual Urs brings devotees from different parts of Kashmir to Charar-e-Sharief to commemorate the saint’s life and teachings.
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