Laylat ul Qadr was observed with great reverence across the Kashmir valley, with thousands of devotees thronging mosques engaging in night- long prayers.
The largest gatherings in Srinagar were held at Hazratbal Dargah, where women and men in large numbers had reached the Khanqah to offer prayers.
Our reporter Asma Bhat reported that elaborate arrangements had been made for devotees who thronged the Khanqah from nooks and corners of the Kashmir valley.
“We made prayers for the people of Palestine and also prayed for peace in Kashmir. This place holds a spiritual significance for us,” said Inam, a devotee at Hazratbal Srinagar.
In Czrar e Shareef, which is the resting place of Alamdar e Kashmir, Hazrat Sheikh Noor u Din Noori saw a massive rush of devotees from all over the valley. Our reporter Shah Basit reported that a massive rush of devotees thronged the mosque and the trading activity in the region witnessed a massive surge.
“This is a special day to us for several reasons. The Khanqah of Nund Risshi (Sheikh Noor u Din Noorani) is really a blessing for us. We get to witness such divine gatherings and on the other, people fro all over the valley come and shop here. This is all Allah’s favour to us,” said Ali Mohamed Dar, a local shopkeeper.
At Pakherpora, several trusts had made arrangements for devotees visiting the Khanqah of Syed Balkhi in the Budgam district.
North Kashmir
Rayees Shah reported that the Khanqah of Baba Reshi in Tangmarg witnessed a spiritual gathering of females and male devotees from all over the valley. “Arrangements had been made for both the genders at this spiritual centre which is of immense significance,” he said.
“Sopore has always been an important place. Its significance is in the fact that Sopore is at the centre of hundreds of villages. People from these villages throng the north Kashmir town for trading related activities and for religious purposes,” said Shabir, a local devotee.
In north Kashmir’s Baramulla Khanqah of Hazrat Syed Muhammad Janbaz Wali Alihi Rehma Khanpora Baramulla witnessed a hige gathering of devotees. The night long prayers culminated peacefully with devotees making prayers for peace in the valley.
South Kashmir
Kashmir’s largest Sehri was organised here at the Jamia Masjid of Anantnag with Sehri meals being served to over 1500 people, Suhail Dar reported. A huge gathering of Kashmiri Muslims was witnessed at the Jamia Masjid of Anantnag, where people engaged in night long prayers. Similar gatherings were held at Kabamarg, Khiram, Aishmuqam Khanqahs.
From Kulgam, Danishwar Hameed reported that the biggest gathering during Laylat ul Qadr was held at Hazrat Syed Simnan in the Kulgam town. At Quimoh, which is the resting place of Sadr Mouj, the mother of Sheikh Noor u Din Noorani, people attended the gathering in large numbers. At Czimmer Sharef, a huge gathering was held.
Meer Irfan from Shopian reported that the largest gathering was held at Shopian Jamia Masjid. Along with it people from Shopian also visited Arahama and Pinjoora.
At Pulwama, one of the largest gatherings was held at Khanqah e Faiz Pana where thousands of devotees attended the night-long prayers.