Charar-e-Sharif shrine reverberates with prayers for rain amid blistering heatwave

Srinagar, July 28: Thousands of devotees filled the courtyard of the shrine of Sheikh-ul-Aalam Sheikh Nooruddin Noorani (RA) at Charar-e-Sharif making prayers for rains as the blistering heatwave gripped Kashmir that has badly hit the crop produce and even dried up water sources across the Valley.

In reaching out at the shrine, Kashmiri men, women, and children relived an age-old tradition of gathering at the mausoleum of the revered 14th-century Sufi saint, Sheikh-ul-Aalam (RA), also known as Nund Reshi, at Charar-e-Sharief to pray for rain.

Early afternoon people thronged the shrine and participated in special prayers for rain. The worshippers braved hot weather and travelled several kilometres on foot to gather at the grand mosque (Khanqah) in Charar-e-Sharief for Dhur (afternoon) prayers. The congregants, which included people from adjoining villages and the town of Chadoora, later prayed at the shrine that lies adjacent to the Masjid.

Following the Dhur prayers, special prayers of Salat al-Istisqa were held at Nafel Taing, a hillock in the town, to pray for rain. Devotees from other places were joined by local residents in large numbers for the Salat al-Istisqa prayers. Later devotees were seen walking several kilometres from the hillock to the shrine of Sheikh-ul-Aalam (RA) where the prayers for the rains continued till late afternoon.

At the shrine, some devotees dressed in traditional attire performed the Dhambali dance, a Kashmiri dance form that has nearly gone extinct. In doing so, they relived the folk tradition of Kashmir and the past practice of people marching on foot from different parts of Kashmir to the shrine in the event of harsh weather conditions.

“The shrine of Sheikh-ul-Alam (RA) has remained an epicentre of spiritualism and at times of need people have been turning to the revered saint for blessings and fulfilment of their needs,” said a local resident, Inayat Gul.

The devotees expressed their worries about the impact of the dry weather conditions with many of them saying that the heatwave has depleted irrigation facilities which has not only affected the crop yield but also threatens the livelihood of farmers who depend heavily on fruit cultivation.

Kashmir is experiencing unusually high temperatures, with mercury levels reaching 36-37 degrees Celsius during the day. The new temperature levels have broken the past records of the month of July and unusual dry weather has raised concerns about the potential impact on the level of water sources and the farm produce. Instead of Kashmir’s salubrious summer climate, local residents are experiencing scorching heat wave conditions with elderly people preferring to stay indoors.

At Charar-e-Sharief the devotees numbering between 4000-5000 were seen joining their palms in prayers while some even had their eyes welled up with tears.

Mir Niyaz Ahmad, Chairman of the Sheikh-ul-Alam Falah Behbood Committee, said that special arrangements for water were made for the thousands of devotees who gathered at the Charar-e-Sharief shrine.

“The gathering saw people take part in special prayers and traditional ceremonies for rain. This was unique, the atmosphere was that of deep devotion,” he said.