Jammu and Kashmir, endowed with natural scenic splendour, is dotted with numerous sufi shrines which are held in high esteem by the people belonging to all faiths and communities. These sacred places are, in fact, symbol of human unity and brotherhood. For years together, Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh have presented glorious example of Hindu, Muslim and Sikh unity.
The great mystic saints and rishis preached the eternal message of universal humanism, compassion and peace. These spiritually uplifted souls carved out special place in the hearts of innumerable followers not only in J&K State but even across the country. The great Sufis in the country like Khawaja Moin-uddin Chisti, Hazrat Baba Farid-uddin Masood, Nasir-uddin Mahmud Roshan Chiragh Dehlavi, Khawaja Nizam Uddin Aulia, Sheikh Ahmad Sarhindi were among those revered in Jammu and Kashmir as well.
But there were some sufi saints who particularly blessed the people with their eternal message of spiritualism in Jammu and Kashmir. Notable among them are : Hazrat Bulbul Shah, Amir-e-Kabir Shah-e-Hamdan, Noor-uddin Wali, Lal Ded, Baba Rishi, Baba Budhan Shah, Roshan Ali Shah, Peer Mitha and Panj Peer.
Simple Message
These sufi saints not only preached but also put to practice their words of wisdom in the idiom of the masses. Their pristine life set glowing example before the society to move on the right spiritual track. This is one vital reason that kept the people in Jammu and Kashmir distinctly away from fanaticism and highly ritualist system. The religion was tempered by deep humanism by the teachings of these saints who, either came on visits from Iran while some were from this very soil.
Islam came to Kashmir through preachings of sufi saints like Syed Sharaf Uddin Abdul Rahman popularly kown as Bulbul Shah under whose influence Rinchan Shah, a Bodh ruler of Kashmir, embraced Islam and later on his commander of forces Ravan Chandra and others followed. The sufi saints like Mir Muhammad Hamdan, Noor-uddin Noorani, Baba Payam Uddin alias Baba Rishi too exercised their influence. Their shrines are held in high esteem by people of all faiths.
Sacred Shrines
Hazratbal Shrine, situated on the bank of famous Dal Lake, is the most important Muslim shrine of Kashmir. It commands the reverence of the people beyond measure as the Prophet Mohammad’s Moi-e-Muqqadas (the sacred hair) is preserved in it.
Its history dates back to Mughal period in 17th century when Shahjahan’s Subedar in Kashmir, Sadiq Khan got built a garden and palatial building, Ishrat Mahal ( House of Please) in 1623, but the Emperor during his visit ordered it to be converted into a prayer house with some additions and alterations. In 1699, when Moi-e-Muqqadas arrived in Srinagar, it was first kept in the shrine of Naqashband Sahib in the heart of Srinagar city. But this place was insufficient in view of rush of devotees and so the relic was shifted to Hazratbal, then known as Sadiqabad.
However, the constructin in its present beautiful marble structure was completed in 1979 by the Muslim Auqaf Trust headed by Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah. The Moi-e-Muqqadas is displayed on various occasions related to the life of the Prophet and his four holy companions.
Universal Humanism
Shah-e-Hamdan or Khanqah-e-Moulla is one of the oldest Muslim shrines situated on the bank of river Jhelum in Srinagar city. Originally it was constructed by Sultan Sikander in memory of sufi saint Mir Syed Ali Hamdan, who stayed in Kashmir for meditation and preaching of Islam. He was the torch-bearer of Islam in Kashmir.
The shrine is revered and people throng daily to offer prayers and congregate in thousands on the 6th of Zilhaj, the last month of Muslim calendar. It was gutted in a devastating fire and was later re-built.
The tomb of Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Rishi, popularly known as Alamdar-e-Kashmir (the Flag Bearer of Kashmir), is situated at Charar-e-Sharief, 30 Kms from Srinagar. He would offer prayers and preach at this place which belonged to his one disciple. The legend has it that after death of the Sheikh, his coffin after flying some distance, descended on the ground at the site of shrine where he was laid to rest. It was a marvellous architectural wooden structure.
Charar-e-Sharief shrine is most popular as he was one of the tallest Kashmiri saints and originator of the Rishi order in Kashmir. He had become a legend in his lifetime and on his demise, Sultan Zain-ul-Abideen personally attended the funeral. His potetry revolves around the oneness of God and good deeds. This mausoleum was torched by militants in 1995, now it has been re-built and restored to its old glory and magnificent style.
There are some other shrines across the Kashmir Valley devoted to Sheikh Noorud-Din and one of them is Ziarat Alamdar-e-Kashmir at Khag in Badgam district where he meditated for many years. Some 300 years ago, it is commonly believed, Hazrat Zia-ud-Din Bukhari entered the Valley from Bukhara along with 360 Sayyids for preaching Islam. The saint performed many miracles and gained faith of the people. He passed away at Kanihaama and was laid to rest there.
Amarnath cave shrine of Lord Shiva attracts devotees from all over India. Situated at an altitude of 13,000 ft, ice lingam of Shiva waxes and wanes, and the people from all over the country undertake pilgrimage on Raksha Bandhan day (July-August) every year.
At a place, Aishmuqam, there is the famous shrine of Bab Zain-ud-Din wali. Popularly known as Paandav Lari, the Awanti Swami temple, situated on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway, is a monument of 9th century. It is frequently visited by the people.
Proud Legacy
In 1894, 6th Guru Sri Hargobindji visited Kashmir and there are famous Chatti Pasdshahi gurudwaras in Srinagar, Baramulla, Pulwama and Uri, which have become abode of Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists and Sikhs living in harmony and contributing to rich composite culture.
In Jammu, winter capital of the State, too has numerous shrine. In the outskirt of the city is ziarat of Baba Budhan Shah, which is very popular among all sections of society. He is believed to be contemporary of Guru Nanak Devji. He belonged to Talwandi in Punjab, where his another shrine is located. Baba Roshan Shah Wali, an exceptionally tall Arabian faqir known as Nau Gaza’s shrine was built by Maharaja Ranbir Singh, a Dogra ruler of Jammu. On every Thrusday people come to pay obeisance to this peer.
Ziarat Peer Mitha is in the heart of Jammu city while in the outskirts is Panj Peer, a place where five Peers lived and meditated.
Dargah Garib Shah located in Samba is frequented by the people. This samadhi is being looked after by local Hindus.
Unshakable Faith
Shahdara Sharief, a famous shrine of Baba Ghulam Shah, is 30 kms from border town of Rajouri. This shrine has grown into a symbol of communal harmony as Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs throng this place in a large number, offer prayers and seek blessings of the Peer. In the Rajouri town itself there is shrine of Baba Sakhi Sultan and this place is also thronged by the people of varied faiths. There are other sacred places like Mklangla Goddess, Nao Gazi Ziarat.
The district of Poonch has sacred places like Budha Amarnath temple at Rajpora Mandi, Nangali Sahib Gurudwara which was established by Sant Bhai Mela Singh in 1819. Thousands of pilgrims of all religions come to this place every year. There is ziarat of Sain Mira Sahib and Chhotey Shah.
Some famous shrines in Doda district are: Ziarat Asrar-ud-Din Sahib, Zain Shah Sahib, Farid-ud-Din Sahib, Athara Bhuja Devi temple and Chandi Mata temple.
Ladakh, Budhist majority area, abounds in Gompas (budhist monasteries), mosques and also few other shrines. There is famous Pathar Sahib gurudwara near Leh which is held in high esteem by all sections of people.
There are many other shrines dotted across this State which have stood as beaconlights of peace and humanism for centuries having deep impact of Sufism on social, religious and cultural life of the people.
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