PAMPORE: Scores of devotees participated annual Urs of renowned Sufi saint Hazrat Khwaja Masood Wali popularly known as Khuja Sahab on Friday with religious fervour at his shrine at Namblabal in Saffron town Pampore area of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district.
Eyewitnesses told Kashmir Reader that Scores of devotees including men, women, children and elders from different parts of the valley assemble on the eve of 423th Urs at the Shrine of Hazrat Khwaja Masood Wali (RA) in the Saffron town, to observe the Urs of the Sufi saint.
423th Urs Paak of Hazrat Khwaja Masood Wali Pampori alias Khuja Sahab was observed on Friday, thousands of devotees from different areas of Pampore Tehsil and other areas of the valley participated in the congregation prayers on Friday at Khanqah-e-Moula, Idara Auqaf Islamia Trust Pampore President Mohammad Maqbool Shah told Kashmir Reader.
The largest gathering at Khanqah-e-Moula Pampore was witnessed during Zuhr prayers on Friday when the majority of people gathered to offer congregational prayers.
The relics of Khwaja Masood Wali (RA) were displayed after every prayer during the day and devotees were seen waiting eagerly after prayers to have a glimpse of the holy relic.
A night prayer was also held at Khanqah-e-Moula Pampore on Thursday evening. Renowned clergy, Moulana Firdous Raza Qadri addressed the congregation on at Khanqah-e-Moula Pampore and highlighted role of Khwaja Masood Wali (RA) and other saints in spreading the message of Islam in Kashmir.
He also threw a light on the life, religious services, teachings and spiritual strength of the revered Islamic scholar and saint who had devoted his whole life to the service and preaching of Islam, Shah said.
During the three days of Urs, the majority people in Pampore and adjoining villages turn vegetarian and do not eat meat or chicken.
The people of Saffron town Pampore especially living near to the Khuja Sahib and Shokh Bab Sahab shrine cook dried vegetables, eggs, cheese and other food stuff except meat and chicken on the Urs of Khuja Sahab and Shokh Bab Sahab and invite their relatives, friends on lunch or dinner to keep the tradition of saint alive.

BILAL HABIB