KASHMIR is a place that has been selected by numerous saints, Rishis and sages to live and propagate the teachings of truthfulness and selfless love. Kashmir because of its natural beauty and moderate climate drew godly men from far off places like south east Asia, Central Asia ,Persia, Baghdad, Samarkand  and other places. These famous personalities include Bulbul Shah(RA), Syed Jalal Uddin Bukhari (RA), Syed Taj-ud-Din Hamdani (RA) and Syed Hussain Samnani (RA). And so were the other important personalities like Hazrat Amir-e-Kabir Shah-e-Hamdan (RA),Sultan-ul-Aarifeen Hazrat Sheikh Hamza Makhdoom (RA), nd Noor-u-Din Wali (RA). 
 Like elsewhere, in Srinagar, the shrines draw scores of men and women to attain spiritual tranquility and remembrance of god. These include:
 The Khanqah-e-Moulla shrine:  This building is a beautiful model of wooden architecture of Kashmir, with engravings on walls. Friday prayers are offered here where hundreds gather to pray.
 The shrine of Sultan-ul-Arifeen Sheikh Hamza Makhdoom (RA) popularly known as Mehboob-ul-Alam is near Koh-e-Maraan. Thousands of people visit the shrine to pay obeisance there.
 The shrine of  Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jeelani  (RA) popularly known as Dastgeer Sahib (RA) at Khanyar in another important place.  Same is true for the Naqshbandh Sahib (RA) shrine at Khawaja Bazaar which is famous for Khawaja Diggar. The graceful white and green exterior hides a glorious papier-mâché interior full of scrollwork, Arabic script and floral motifs, supported by papier-mâché palms.
 These are time tested spiritual and morality building centers that need our attention and care for we have to make it sure that our next generations should learn from them and understand their essence. It is our duty to save and preserve them in the same shape and style that they are present today so that the very soul of these heritage centers is not lost. Any modification or manipulation in the style and architecture of these structures will prove to be fatal and we may loose them forever and our generations to come will never forgive us for this in humane act. The need of the hour is an collective effort to help preserve these cultural sites as they remind us of our true culture and religious tolerance.
By
Dr Qazi Haroon
(The author is a medical doctor and research scholar in comparative mysticism and can be mailed at drqaziharoon@gmail.com or dr_haroon_q@yahoo.com. The ideas expressed are his own)

Lastupdate on : Sun, 22 May 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 22 May 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 23 May 2011 00:00:00 IST