The 749th annual Urs (death anniversar fair) at the revered Piran Kaliyar shrine near Roorkee is drawing pilgrims from across the country and abroad. 152 pilgrims from Pakistan have arrived on Friday. Situated on the banks of the Ganga Canal about 20 km from Haridwar, the shrine –hallowed with a mystic aura- is now seeing a sea of humanity converging here to have their desires fulfilled through the Sufi saint Alla Uddin Ali Ahmad Sabir who was buried in Kaliyer Sharif.
While police have made fool-proof security with the fair having assumed an international contour, the people here are warmly welcoming the devotees coming from abroad. “The guests who come from abroad are the ambassadors of love and peace,” said a member of an organisation now engaged in welcoming the guests from across the Indian borders. To facilitate the pilgrims, officials from Pakistan Embassy reached Roorkee on Thursday.
On Friday evening, as the batch of 152 Zaireens reached Piran Kaliyar Sharif they were welcomed by the locals with flowers.
Visibly overwhelmed with the warmth of the welcome, the pilgrims from the country whose relation with India has never been smooth said that they have come here carrying message of peace and brotherhood from the people of Pakistan.
The team leader of the pilgrims Rashid Shameem said that thousands of people from his country wanted to come on the pilgrimage to the shrine. “However, a few of them are given visa. We are happy we are here. The shrine is a special one for us, as it is believed to be endowed with mystic powers for wish fulfilment of the devotees,” he said.
Noor Mohammad, another guest from Pakistan, said that the time has come for both the countries to bury the past and start anew like good neighbours.
“Enough is enough. Now, we must script a new history of mutual love, leaving behind the hatred that has been haunting us for over seven decades,” he said.
The district administration has, meanwhile, completed all arrangements for the mega congregation. Temporary shelters, shops, toilets and tents have been made to facilitate the pilgrims.
The local intelligence unit and the police are alert to ensure peaceful completion of the fair, said a senior officer from the administration.