Syed Nazakat Khaleefa
Bandipora, 10 August 2024: The seven-day annual Urs of Hazrat Syed Rasool Shah (RA), widely known as Nanga Baji Sahib (RA), concluded with significant observances in Malangam Village, Bandipora district, North Kashmir. This year’s event saw an impressive turnout of thousands of devotees and scholars from the Sufi Chishti order, as well as non-Muslims who paid their respects at the revered shrine.
On the final day of the Urs, the ceremony was led by Syed Wilayat Hussain Shah Kazmi, the Grandson of Nanga Baji and Sajada-e-Nasheen of Darbar-e-aliya Malangam. The rituals included the traditional flag hoisting and chadar (cloth) hoisting at the shrine, marking a highlight of the celebration.
Throughout the Urs, the shrine provided a free ‘langer’ (community kitchen) to accommodate the influx of visitors traveling from various regions. The community kitchen served meals to ensure that all attendees were well-catered for during the week-long event.
I am from Samba in the Jammu division. For many years, our family has been deeply connected with Baji Sahab. I am a devoted mureed of Baji Sahab, a commitment shared by my entire family, including my father. We are looking forward to attending the Urs and having Shifa from langar food. The Chesti Darbar has been instrumental in fulfilling our needs and supporting us through its services. This connection and support from the Darbar have been a cornerstone of our spiritual and daily lives, as expressed by devotee Mohammad Shafi.
Syed Zaffar Abbas Bukhari, a devoted follower from Poonch District, said that All arrangements have been commendable. We, as a family, have been devoted mureeds of this Sufi Darbar for generations. I have personally attended this dua during the Urs and found it to be a profound and spiritually enriching experience
On the final day of the Urs, Syed Wilayat Hussain Shah Kazmi, the grandson of Nanga Baji and Sajada-e-Nasheen of Darbar-e-aliya Malangam, led the prayers and performed the flag hoisting and chadar hoisting rituals at the shrine, The teachings of Baaji Sahib have deeply influenced the entire Pahari-Gujjar-Bakarwal tribe of J&K. The Urs drew thousands of devotees and scholars of the Sufi Chishti order from across the UT and beyond. Even non-Muslims come to pay their respects at the shrine during this occasion, Syed Jamat Ali Shaheen Said
In closing, the Urs has reaffirmed its role as a cornerstone of spiritual and communal life in Jammu and Kashmir, reinforcing the timeless values of unity, charity, and devotion that Nanga Baji Sahib’s legacy represents.
