400-yr-old tradition ‘Khoja-e-Digar’ prayers today

Srinagar: The 400-year-old practice of congregational Asr prayers, The Khoj-e-Digar, at the shrine of Khanqah-i-Naqshbandiya will be offered today.

The prayers in which thousands of people participate are offered every year on the 3rd day of the month of Rabi-ul- Awal. Gatherings for special prayers (Khatmat-ul-muazzamat) are held for twelve days from 21st Safar to 3rd Rabi-ul Awwal. These gatherings are held every morning at the Khanqah-i-Naqshbandiya.

Hazrat Khwaja Naqshband Sahib (RA) was born in 718 AH at Qasr-i-Arifan, a village in Bukhara. The shrine is dedicated to him, where one of the great saints of the Naqshbandi order, Hazrat Moinuddin Naqshband (RA), was laid to rest along with his wife and two sons.

Meanwhile, traffic police department on Monday issued an advisory for commuters in the wake of rush of devotees thronging the shrine along Nowhatta road to offer cherished ‘The Khoj-e-Digar’.

Superintendent of police (Traffic) Tahir Gilani said that traffic will remain suspended on Sumkachbal crossing to Nowhatta from 2:30 pm till 6 pm.

“Commuters are requested to take Nallah Mar or Rainawari-Saida Kadal road,” he tweeted. .