Faith
Kashmiri Muslim Womens spread hands towards the priest spraying Rose Water from the window of a shrine to devotees after having the glimpse of the holy relic of sufi saint displayed by the head priest from the shrine at Khanyar in Old Srinagar, the summer capital of India-administered Kashmir.
Braving bone chilling cold in ongoing harsh winter period in Kashmir, thousands of devotees including women, elderly and children, from different parts of the valley participated in the night-long prayers to mark the yearly commemoration or the death anniversary of the Islamic Sufi saint of 11th century revered saint Sheikh Syed Abdul Qadir Jeelani commonly known as Gous-al-Azam Dastgeer in the shrine, situated in Khanyar area of Old Srinagar, which was damaged in fire accident in year 2012.
The devotees had the glimpse of holy Relic of sufi saint Gous-al-Azam after Fajr (morning) prayers and the process continue throughout the day after every prayers.
The shrine of Khnayar is devoted to 11th century Sufi saint whose actual shrine is located at Baghdad in Iraq. Even though the saint never visited Kashmir in person, he is highly revered by the locals. The shrine wear festive looks during yearly commemoration or Urs days as several stalls selling food items and other goods are set up outside.
Adil Hussain, India, Srinagar
