Baba Nagri Shrine

Jammu / Kashmir

Minister Satish Sharma Inaugurates JKRTC Bus Service at Baba Nagri Shrine Ahead of 129th Urs

by
Baba Nagri Shrine

Minister for FCS&CA, Transport, IT, Youth Services and Sports, Satish Sharma, today visited the revered Baba Nagri Shrine Kangan, in Ganderbal district, on the eve of 129th annual Urs of Hazrat Mian Nizamud Din Kiyanvi (RA), where he paid obeisance and interacted with the local devotees and shrine management.

The Minister took stock of the facilities being made available to the pilgrims at the Shrine. He acknowledged the significant spiritual and cultural importance of Baba Nagri in the region.

As a major highlight of his visit, the Minister inaugurated a dedicated JKRTC bus service connecting Baba Nagri, Kangan to Rajouri via TRC Srinagar. The move was aimed at improving accessibility for the devotees from far-flung regions, especially in the Pir Panjal area.

Member of Parliament, Mian Altaf and Local MLA, Mian Mehar Ali besides officers and officials of JKRTC were present on the occasion.

“Baba Nagri holds a special place in the hearts of thousands across Jammu and Kashmir. By launching this bus service, we aim to strengthen inter-regional connectivity, promote religious tourism and ease the travel burden for the devotees,” said the Minister while addressing the gathering.

He emphasised that the Omar Abdullah led government is committed to rapid development of religious and remote areas. He assured continued efforts to improve road connectivity, transport infrastructure and public amenities in the region.

The bus service has been made operational with the Jammu and Kashmir Road Transport Corporation (JKRTC) overseeing the logistics and route planning.

The visit concluded with the Minister holding discussions with the officials and community representatives on further developmental needs in the area.

kashmir Culture

Baba Nagri Shrine’s Community Kitchen Feeds Thousands Daily and Tens of Thousands During Urs

by

The Baba Nagri shrine, also known as Darbar Laar Sharief Wangat, boasts one of the largest free community kitchens, or ‘langar’, serving around 1,000 people daily. During Urs days, this number surges, with food being prepared for over 70,000 to 80,000 devotees.

Operating 24 hours a day, the langar is staffed by both management and numerous volunteers who tirelessly serve the many visitors. According to the shrine’s administration, this round-the-clock service ensures that devotees have access to free meals throughout the year.

Mian Mehar Ali, overseeing the arrangements, shared with Greater Kashmir that on Urs days, a special langar is organized, where food for thousands is prepared. Volunteers noted that special sweet rice, made with rice, ghee, and dry fruits, is served on these occasions.

Managing such a large-scale operation daily is no small feat, but the dedicated volunteers and about 100 permanent workers ensure everything runs smoothly, from cooking to timely delivery of food.

Baba Nagri shrine is one of the most revered sites for the Gujjar, Bakerwal, and Pahari communities in Jammu and Kashmir and beyond. Every year, tens of thousands of devotees gather at the shrine on June 7 and 8 to observe the annual Urs of Sufi saint Mian Nizamuddin Kiyanwi (RA), also known as Hazrat Baba Ji Sahib Larvi, who was a prominent 18th-century Sufi saint and social reformer.

Nestled at the base of a mountain in the picturesque village of Wangat, the shrine is surrounded by lush forests and becomes a focal point of religious activities year-round. On Urs days, the site transforms into a bustling hub for devotees.

The Mian family, the shrine’s custodians, are responsible for accommodating the thousands of visitors each year. The current Sajadh Nasheen, Mian Altaf Ahmad, inherited the position from his late father, Mian Bashir Ahmad Larvi, who succeeded Mian Nizamuddin Kiyanwi in overseeing the shrine.