Budgam, Oct 9: The annual Urs of revered Sufi saint Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Noorani (RA) was observed with religious fervour at Chrar-e-Sharief in central Kashmir’s Budgam district with thousands of devotees from across the Valley visiting the shrine to offer Friday prayers.

Devotees thronged the historic shrine to participate in special prayers and Friday congregational prayers and pay homage to the saint, whose teachings of peace, brotherhood, humility and communal harmony continue to shape Kashmir’s spiritual and cultural traditions.
Thousands of people including men and women offered the Friday prayers at the revered shrine.
Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Noorani, also known as Sheikh-ul-Alam (RA) is among Kashmir’s most revered spiritual figures. His teachings of compassion, simplicity, social harmony and peaceful coexistence hold a significant place in the Valley’s cultural and religious heritage.
The annual Urs draws devotees from across Kashmir to Charar-e-Sharief to commemorate the saint’s life and teachings.
Mirwaiz Amir Uddin Shah of Charar-e-Sharief expressed satisfaction over the arrangements made by the administration and appreciated the role of the Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board in facilitating the annual congregation.
He raised concerns over the lack of a dedicated parking facility near the shrine, saying the issue continued to inconvenience devotees, particularly those arriving from distant areas.
He said several devotees were reportedly asked by traffic police to park their vehicles three to four kilometres away from the shrine and cover the remaining distance on foot.
The Mirwaiz said the arrangement caused particular hardship to elderly devotees and pilgrims travelling from far-flung areas to attend the religious gathering.