Kashmiris celebrate Urs of famous Sufi saint at Budgam

Scores of devotees flocked to the shrine of Sufi saint Hazrat Sheikh ul Aalam Sheikh Noor-ud-din Wali on the occasion of his 598th Urs (death anniversary).

The shrine of Hazrat ul Aalam, also known as Alamdar Kashmir, is regarded as the most sacrosanct of Muslim shrines in the Kashmir Valley.

"People from various parts of the country gather here to pay their respects at the holy shrine. He always gave a message of brotherhood, irrespective of creed, colour and religion. The youth should read his messages of peace," said Mushtaq Ahmad, a devotee.

Sufism is the defining feature of Jammu and Kashmir society. It was in 1400 A.D. that the wandering Sufis arrived in Kashmir. Sufism became the way of life for the majority of the people in the valley.

A uniquely syncretic and tolerant culture evolved with Sufism and spiritual ingress. Such was the influence of Sufism that it constituted superstructure and sub-structure, values and belief systems of the people of Kashmir.