Jam-packed shrine, roads mark day in Old City area
Rehan Qayoom Mir
Srinagar, Sep 20: Living just a few meters away from Khawaja Naqshband Sahib Shrine (RA), a 65-year-old Zahoor Ahmad participated in 32nd ‘Khoja Diggar’ on Wednesday in Old City area of Srinagar where a huge rush of devotees was witnessed, who had come from different parts of the Valley to attend the special prayers here.
Zahoor has never missed ‘Khoja Diggar’ throughout his entire life.
Ahmad spent his entire day at the shrine today as according to him, he feels refreshed and rejuvenated while spending the time at the shrine every year on this occasion.
“Khoja Diggar has a great significance as the special prayers are being held here every year on the 3rd Rabi-ul-Awwal in memory of the sufi saint Khwaja Naqshband Sahab (RA). The sufi saint had kept this time (Asr to Maghrib) for prayers only and the people from last over 400 years are paying their respect and remember the saint on this day at the shrine,” Zahoor said, adding that he will attend this special prayers every year till he is alive.
Ghulam Mohi-ud-din Naqeeb, a 75-year-old devotee has also attended all the special prayers on this day throughout his life.
Naqeeb said the Almighty has directed the people following the Islam to follow the path of Awliyas, and thus the people throng here every year on this day to listen to the teachings of the sufi saints and seek blessings of Allah.
“We will continue to follow the path of our saints to achieve the goal and motive of our life—Jannah,” he said.
Meanwhile, thousands of people attended the 410th Khoja Diggar at Khawaja Naqshband Sahab shrine (RA).
The premises of the shrine, main roads remained jam-packed like every year as the devotees from different parts of the Valley thronged the shrine today to participate in the special prayers.
Devotees thronged the shrine today to pay respect to the Sufi saint, who left for the heavenly abode in the year 1674.
Adequate arrangements were made for the devotees who started thronging the shrine from ‘Zuhar’ (afternoon prayers) today—(KNO)
