Baba Nagri (Kangan), June 8: Despite incessant rains in Kashmir Valley on Friday, thousands of devotees thronged the shrine of Baba Nizam-ud-Din (RA) here in Ganderbal district to celebrate the 120th annual Urs.
 From early morning, the devotees from different parts of the state and outside visited the shrine where special prayers were held during the day and last night as well.
 Speaking on the occasion, veteran Gujjar leader Mian Bashir Ahmad asked the devotees to follow the teachings of Islam and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in letter and spirit.  Various speakers threw light on the life of Baba Nizamudin and the Urs which has been going on for decades together.
 According to representatives of Baba Nagri Shrine Trust, the number of devotees at the annual congregation this time was higher than the previous year. They said more than one lakh devotees attended the Urs this time.
 “This year the number of devotees visiting the shrine is much higher than the previous. This has a lot to do with the opening of Mughal Road, connecting Valley with Rajouri and Poonch,” Mian Altaf Bashir , Minister for Forests  and  grandson of Hazrat Mian Nizam-ud-Din told Greater Kashmir.
 The annual Urs started on June 6 and concluded on Friday.
 According to officials, more than 1.10 lakh people from Poonch, Rajouri, Kathua, Doda, Shopian, Bandipora, Baramulla and other districts of the state visited the shrine during the Urs days.
 Muhammad Jabar Khan from Rajouri said “I have been coming to Baba Nagri since my childhood. I get a lot of spiritual satisfaction after visiting the shrine.”
 Apart from different areas of J&K, the devotees arrive here from other parts like Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.
 The Urs, according to locals, dates back to 19th century. This year the 120th annual Urs of Baba Nagri was celebrated.
 The visitors hailed locals for being cooperative and helpful. “Tens of thousands visit here every year and nobody ever complains of lack of accommodation,” said Shah Din, a devotee. “Here people offer their houses for the visiting devotees irrespective of caste, creed or religion.” 
 The shrine management organizes free food for the devotees.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 8 Jun 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 8 Jun 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 9 Jun 2012 00:00:00 IST