MIRPUR (Kashmir English): The two-day annual Urs celebrations of Hazrat Pir Shah Ghazi Qalandar, also known as Damri Wali Sarkar, have come to an end today with religious fervor at his shrine at Khari Sharif on Wednesday.
Azad Kashmir Minister for Auqaf and Religious Affairs Muhammad Ahmed Raza Qadri was the chief guest at the closing prayer ceremony of the Urs. Millions of pilgrims from Pakistan, Azad Kashmir, and abroad visited the shrine and expressed their devotion.
The Urs celebrations began with the ceremony of bathing the shrine in the presence of thousands of pilgrims, attended by Prime Minister Azad Kashmir Chaudhry Anwarul Haq and ministers.
The pilgrims reached the Shrine, located in Khari Sharif near Mirpur City, in groups carrying flowers and offered religious rituals, prayers, and tributes, with authorities ensuring security and facilities.
On the instructions of the Deputy Commissioner, there was a ban on drum players. The administration also made special parking arrangements for the pilgrims’ vehicles, police checkpoints, and foolproof security arrangements on various highways, and the pilgrims set up langar at various places.
The Auqaf Department organized langar [feast] on a large scale for the devotees, while the pilgrims also set up langar at various places.
The administration, police, public health, Rescue 1122, civil defense, and other institutions remained active in all the arrangements for the Urs.
To honour the last observance day of Urs, the district administration declared a local holiday in Mirpur. The holiday was also announced to facilitate pilgrims to attend the concluding ceremonies of the Urs of the illustrious preacher of Islam in the subcontinent.
Baba Peera Shah Ghazi’s great contribution to the propagation of Islam in the subcontinent was acknowledged by well-known religious scholars, naat-khawans, and ulema. Renowned academics and poets also addressed the occasion along with singing Sufi poetry.
The annual Urs of Hazrat Baba Pira Shah Ghazi is a beloved event that reinforces faith, devotion, and unity among the attendees, reinforcing the region’s deep-rooted spiritual traditions.
