MOSQUES
PIR
BABA
Behind the Civil Airport is famous Dargah of the Muslim
saint, Peer Budhan Ali Shah. On Thursday's, Hindu and Sikh devotees
vastly outnumber their Muslim brethren at the shrine.People in flock visit this shrine on thrusday and offer
prayers. A thread is tied there by the devotees and
after their desire are fulfilled they come again to open the thread.
It is said that pilots flying their planes in the adjoinung airport
have to salute the Pir before every take off. About 4 centuries
old shrine is very famous and is commonly known as Satwari Wala
Pir.
Shah-Dara-Sharief
It is the shrine of Baba Ghulam Shah in the lap of mountains. The shrine commonly known
as Shahdara Sharief is a popular tourist spot in Rajouri district. There
was a pir named Ghulam Shah who was born in Syed Family at village Saidian
Rawalpindi (now in Pakistan). Ghulam Shah made Shadara his abode for the
rest of his life. Over a period of time, this shrine has grown into symbol
of communal harmony as Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs visit this place in large
numbers, offer prayers and seek blessings of the Pir.
How
to reach.
This shrine is 30 kms.f rom the Rajouri district. Buses, Cars and Jeeps
carrying pilgrims ply on this road regularly. The Rajouri district is
approx.158 kms from Jammu district. Buses, Cars and Jeeps carrying tourist's
ply on the road.
Nau
Gaza Peer Dargah
Peer
mitha is another famous shrine in Jammu. Peer mitha was a contemporary
of Ajaib Dev and Ghreeb "Nath. Both saints were famous for
their prophecies and miracle. "Mitha" means 'the sweet
one' for this peer
would accept nothing more than a pinch of sugar from his devotees.
Pir
Roshan Shah Wali
Another
secular shrine in the heart of the city is the tomb of Pir Roshan Shah
Wali near town hall. a structure of about 14th century, this tomb is visited
by a large number of people irrespective of cast and creed. Interestingly
Hindu and Sikh devotees are seen more than the Muslims. It is believed
that Pir Rohan Wali came at this place with a message of peace, love and
so attracted a large number of people. It is believed that the cherished
desires of the devotees are fulfilled in this shrine.
Pir
Mitha
Another
tomb of "Pir Mitha" stands in the heart of Jammu City. The area
is now known as Pir Mitha. The Pir(sant) was so polite and soft spoken
that he loved by Hindus and Muslims alike. Though his name was Syed Abdul
Rehman, people called him Pir Mitha meaning sweet saint. Now the shrine
is ruined and few people knew about it.
Balle
Da Bagh
About 30 km from Jammu and just 3.5Km from Akhnoor, on Akhnoor
Jourian road, a "Mazaar" of Baba Faiz Baksh Syed Bukhari is
situated on the right side of the road. This sacred shrine, equally impotant
for the people belonging all religions and faith is commonly known as
"Balle Da Bagh". though this small shrine looks like any ordinary
Mazaar of other Pir's (Muslim Saints) it has very high value amoung the
village folk as only seven rounds (parikramas) of the Mazaar inside the
room and seven outside the room makes the victims of Dogbite from the
fear of hydrophobia (Halqaa, in local words). This shrine is about 450
years old according to the priest serving the Fakir's Mazaar.
Panj
Pir
A shrine named Panj Pir situated near Amar Palace Museum on
the outskirts of Jammu city on the Jammu Kashmir National highway has
gained popularity in recent times though it is very old. Devotees in large
number visit the shrine on Thursdays. Besides, drivers plying their vehicles
on the National highway can be daily seen stopping their vehicles and
offering cash etc. to Pir.
Zirat
of Shah Farid-ud-Din Sahib
A ziarat constructed over a tomb of Shah Farid-ud-Din, a great
Muslim saint and is situated in Kishtwar in Doda district. It is believed
that Shah Farid-ud-Din came to Kishtwar during the reign of Raja Jai Singh
(1656-1664 A.D.) to propogate Islam. He hailed from Baghdad and came to
India in the times of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. He is stated to have
done many miraculous deeds and a big fair is held here on the 7th Ashad
every year. It is attended by thousands of people from far and wide.
Bhandarkote
Cave
There is a small cave at Bhandarkote just above the bridge
over river Chenab. Sheikh Zain-ud-Din Wall is believed to have stayed
in it for many years. The Sheikh who hailed from Palmar (Kishtwar) later
moved to Kashmir where there is big shrine at Aish Muqam on the Anantnag-Pahalagam
road. He was a principal disciple of Sheikh Nur-ud-Sahib Wali, patron
saint of Muslims of Kashmir. There is a inscription on rock at Bandarkote
about 12 km from Kishtwar.
Other
Shrines
Among other popular Muslim shrines, Tombs of saint Garib Shah
at Samba, Pir Fazal Shah at Samba, Pir Fazal Shah at Parlibund Kathua,
Pir Chhatar Shah at village Nagri Near Kathua, Pir Gandar Shah in Bhaderwah,
Pir Choota Shah at Sakhi Maidan near Mendhar and Ziarat Asrar-I-Sharief
in Kishtwar are notable and visited regularly by thousands devotees belongings
to all faiths. |
