Khawaja Digar was observed at the Naqashbandh Sahib(RA) shrine in the old City with lakhs of devotees thronging the shrine for the congregational Asar Salah, despite cold wave. Mirwaiz Dr Umar Farooq addressed the mammoth gathering.The urs of Hazrat Khwaja Baha-ud-Din Muhammad Naqshband Bukhrai (RA) is celebrated on the 3rd Rabi-ul-Awal every year, besides the gatherings for special prayers (khatmat-muazzamat) are held for twelve days i.e. from 21st Safar to 3rd Rabi-ul Awal. These gatherings are held every day at 8 AM in the Khanqah-i-Naqshbandiya. On the urs day after the Asr prayers, special mass prayers are held called ‘Khoja Digar’. This practice continues as a tradition from the times of Hazrat Khwaja Khawand Mahmood i.e. from 1017 AH- 405 years. Amid biting cold devotees thronged the shrine of the revered Sufi saint located at Khwaja Bazaar, Nowhatta, for prayers and supplications. A large congregation of devotees gathered to offer special ‘Khwaji Digar’ prayers in the afternoon. In his address, the Mirwaiz threw light on the life of Prophet Muhammad(SAW) and asked the Ummah to follow Quran and Sunnah. He also threw light on the life of Hazrat Sheikh Hamzah Makhdoom (RA) adding that the saint made historic contribution towards the people of Kashmir and spread of Islam in the Valley. (CNS)