Kashmiris are emotionally attached to some of their shrines. Hazrat Bal , Shahe Hamdaan Mosque , Shrine of Chrar Sharief , Ziyarat of Dastgeer sahib Khanyar and Ziyarat of Makhdoom sahib are frequented by them in large numbers . They tie threads in these shrines to be opened once their desires are fulfilled . This applies to kashmiri Pandit shrines as well. This is locally known as Daechh Gandein.
At some of the shrines they perform the Zar Kasai ( First hair cut of the new born Child ) yet the Tehar distribution ( Yellow cooked rice ) and a Halwai shop selling Nadru Monji ( fried Pakodas made form lotus stem and rice powder ) or feeding of pigeons is common in almost all the shrines . Practically Every muslim shrine in Kashmir has a space for feeding pigeons or other birds .
Just two Kms from Dalgate or 1.5 kms from Rainawari , lies the famous shrine of Dastgeer sahib. There is no tomb or mausoleum inside but a mosque having holy relic of Pir Dastagir sahib ( RA). Dastagir sahib , like Naqashband sahib did never visit Kashmir but some followers brought his relics to the site. A Khankaah was built during Afghan rule of Noor Ud Din Khan Bamzai by Khawaja sakhi Shah Sahib who came to Kashmir from Bagdad . Khwaja sahib is reported to have actually started Silsila Qadria in Kashmir . Accordingly the followers of Dastgeer sahib are called Qadrees in Kashmir . The Ziyarat was put to extensive repairs during the rule of Maharaja Ranbir singh by one rich shawl merchant namely Khawaja Sonaullah sahib.City residents and villagers visit this shrine in large numbers . Pandits ( Kashmiri Hindus ) also used to visit this shrine and bow in reverence . .
When we were young we heard the boatmen paddling against Jhelum currents and saying “Ya Peer Dastageer ” Many kashmiri Pandit Ladies in Rainawari would visit the shrine especially on annual Urs. . So did Moglee who supplied Haak ( Green leafy Leaves cooked in Kashmir ) to us . Even Ritch Maal our immediate neighbour would go to bow at this shrine sometimes . My mother would tell me that Ritch Maal had tied the thread to the window of the shrine for the birth of a child to Makhan lal (her son ). During my childhood days , I would go to Zainakadal via this shrine only. Its green and large windows , Khatamband ceiling inside , colourful window glasses , Chandliers , two imposing DUBS ( Jharokas on first floor facing the road ) , the Pinjarkaari , the pigeons and the Halwai selling Khand Gazar attracted me too . My mother bowed at this shrine when she went to Zainakadal on foot . Nearby shrine at Rozabal ( Anzi Maar Khanyar ) also attracted me. Many seniors and friends in the college would tell that "Jesus Christ did never die on cross. Infact his wounds healed and he moved towards Kashmir . Kashmiris are basically the lost tribe". Some times I would laugh these stories away. Later I came to know that some debate is already in progress on these lines and the Ziyarat at Rozabal khanyar close by to the Dastgeer sahib’s ziyarat is the subject matter of close scrutiny for this debate .
Ziyarat of Dastgeer sahib was gutted in a tragic fire incident in 2012. This fire incident sent waves of shock to kashmiris all over .
I conclude this post with some lines from a poem of Allama Iqbal
Tu Hai Muheet e Bekaraan
Me Hoon Zara si Aabe Joo
Ya Mujh Ko Hum Kinaar kar
Ya Mujh Ko Be Kinaar Kar
( Allama Iqbal )
O thou art like the unending ocean of water !
Me ! A tiny or small streamlet of water .
Either engulf and finish me in thy vastness .,
Or make me too vast and free of boundaries.
( Translation a k Mota from original urdu )
At some of the shrines they perform the Zar Kasai ( First hair cut of the new born Child ) yet the Tehar distribution ( Yellow cooked rice ) and a Halwai shop selling Nadru Monji ( fried Pakodas made form lotus stem and rice powder ) or feeding of pigeons is common in almost all the shrines . Practically Every muslim shrine in Kashmir has a space for feeding pigeons or other birds .
Just two Kms from Dalgate or 1.5 kms from Rainawari , lies the famous shrine of Dastgeer sahib. There is no tomb or mausoleum inside but a mosque having holy relic of Pir Dastagir sahib ( RA). Dastagir sahib , like Naqashband sahib did never visit Kashmir but some followers brought his relics to the site. A Khankaah was built during Afghan rule of Noor Ud Din Khan Bamzai by Khawaja sakhi Shah Sahib who came to Kashmir from Bagdad . Khwaja sahib is reported to have actually started Silsila Qadria in Kashmir . Accordingly the followers of Dastgeer sahib are called Qadrees in Kashmir . The Ziyarat was put to extensive repairs during the rule of Maharaja Ranbir singh by one rich shawl merchant namely Khawaja Sonaullah sahib.City residents and villagers visit this shrine in large numbers . Pandits ( Kashmiri Hindus ) also used to visit this shrine and bow in reverence . .
When we were young we heard the boatmen paddling against Jhelum currents and saying “Ya Peer Dastageer ” Many kashmiri Pandit Ladies in Rainawari would visit the shrine especially on annual Urs. . So did Moglee who supplied Haak ( Green leafy Leaves cooked in Kashmir ) to us . Even Ritch Maal our immediate neighbour would go to bow at this shrine sometimes . My mother would tell me that Ritch Maal had tied the thread to the window of the shrine for the birth of a child to Makhan lal (her son ). During my childhood days , I would go to Zainakadal via this shrine only. Its green and large windows , Khatamband ceiling inside , colourful window glasses , Chandliers , two imposing DUBS ( Jharokas on first floor facing the road ) , the Pinjarkaari , the pigeons and the Halwai selling Khand Gazar attracted me too . My mother bowed at this shrine when she went to Zainakadal on foot . Nearby shrine at Rozabal ( Anzi Maar Khanyar ) also attracted me. Many seniors and friends in the college would tell that "Jesus Christ did never die on cross. Infact his wounds healed and he moved towards Kashmir . Kashmiris are basically the lost tribe". Some times I would laugh these stories away. Later I came to know that some debate is already in progress on these lines and the Ziyarat at Rozabal khanyar close by to the Dastgeer sahib’s ziyarat is the subject matter of close scrutiny for this debate .
Ziyarat of Dastgeer sahib was gutted in a tragic fire incident in 2012. This fire incident sent waves of shock to kashmiris all over .
I conclude this post with some lines from a poem of Allama Iqbal
Tu Hai Muheet e Bekaraan
Me Hoon Zara si Aabe Joo
Ya Mujh Ko Hum Kinaar kar
Ya Mujh Ko Be Kinaar Kar
( Allama Iqbal )
O thou art like the unending ocean of water !
Me ! A tiny or small streamlet of water .
Either engulf and finish me in thy vastness .,
Or make me too vast and free of boundaries.
( Translation a k Mota from original urdu )
CHINAR SHADE by Autarmota is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.5 India License.
Based on a work at http:\\autarmota.blogspot.com\.
