The spirituality witnessed at Srinagar Khankah and Tulmulla temple has once again put on display the legacies of the past and the spirit of religious harmony that are still dearer to the people ofJammu & Kashmir than ever before”
In the heart of Kashmir, where snowcapped peaks cradle the ancient valley, two deeply spiritual events unfold each year distinct in their origins, yet united in the shared rhythm of devotion and reverence. The Urs of Shahi Hamadan (RA), a grand commemoration of the death anniversary of the revered 14th-century Sufi saint Mir Sayyid Ali Hamadani, and the Mela Khir Bhawani, an annual Hindu pilgrimage in honor of the goddess Ragnya Devi, are not just religious observances, but poignant reminders of Kashmir’s rich tapestry of spiritual pluralism. Known locally as Shah-e-Hamadan, the saint from Hamadan, Iran, played a profound role in shaping Kashmir’s Islamic and cultural identity, bringing with him not only the teachings of Islam but also a vibrant tradition of Sufism, art, architecture, and craftsmanship. Every year, his Urs is observed with great devotion at the majestic Khanqah-e-Moula in Srinagar, where thousands of believers gather in prayers, qawwali, and reflection, seeking spiritual solace and guidance. Candles are lit, verses are recited, and the tranquil aura of the Khanqah becomes a beacon for those yearning for inner peace. Just as the Khanqah resounds with the praises of a Sufi saint, the temple of Khir Bhawani in Tulmulla, Ganderbal, reverberates with chants and the rustling of sacred chinar leaves as Kashmiri Pandits and other devotees arrive to honor the goddess seated above a mystical spring. The spring, whose color is believed to reflect divine moods, becomes the center of rituals, offerings, and community gatherings during the mela, held on the auspicious day of Jyeshtha Ashtami.
“Worship and Celebrations at Srinagar Khanqah and Tulmulla Temple send out a message that power of religious co-existence in Kashmir still lies in compassion, coexistence, and peace .The Urs in Srinagar and celebration at Tulmulla are also a pointer to the fact that people in Jammu & Kashmir can never ever be silenced by any conflict and trauma as they are always driven by force of devotion, memory, compassion and hope”
The temple complex transforms into a vibrant mosaic of devotion, as families reunite, stories are shared, and faith finds voice in collective celebration. Despite their religious differences, both the Urs and Mela speak a common language of spiritual longing, memory, and continuity each echoing the soul of a valley that has, for centuries, held space for saints and sages, gods and goddesses. In these celebrations, we witness not only the preservation of faith but the resilience of cultural identity and the yearning for harmony that lies at the core of Kashmiri ethos. These events also serve as gentle reminders of a time when co-existence was not merely an ideal but a lived reality in Kashmir’s syncretic heritage. As the Urs and Mela continue to draw pilgrims from diverse backgrounds, they subtly bridge the divides of the present with the shared legacies of the past. They are not merely rituals but living testaments to the valley’s enduring spirit—a spirit that refuses to be silenced by conflict, instead choosing expression through devotion, memory, and hope. Thus, the echoes of devotion that rise from Srinagar’s Khanqah and Tulmulla’s spring ripple far beyond the confines of faith, reminding us that in Kashmir, the divine speaks many tongues, and in each, there is a call to compassion, coexistence, and peace.
