People offer special prayers at Dastageer Saheb shrine

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, January 29

Devotees here today observed Friday following urs of Peer Dastageer Saheb. Despite inclement weather conditions a large number of devotees thronged the shrines of Shaikh Syed Abdul Qadir Jeelani, known as Peer Dastageer Saheb by devotees, at Khanyar and Sarai Bala areas of the city throughout the course of the day and offered prayers.

Both the shrines are devoted to Dastageer Saheb whose actual shrine is located at Baghdad in Iraq.

Even though the saint never visited Kashmir in person, he is highly revered by people in the Valley.

A caretaker of the Dastageer Saheb shrine at Sarai Bala said there was no let up in the rush of devotees throughout the course of the day.

The devotees remained engrossed in prayers and supplications, he added.

Maximum rush of devotees at the shrines was witnessed during Friday prayers. Emotional scenes were witnessed at the shrines as people prayed with tears in their eyes.

The holy relic of the saint was also displayed to the devotees.

Both the shrines wore festive look and several stalls selling food items and other goods were set up outside the premises.

The annual urs of Dastageer Saheb was observed on January 22. Hardcore devotees usually offer prayers at the shrines for 11 consecutive days prior to the main urs.