Chari Sharif: the beautiful shrine of Nund Reshi.

Chari Sharif town is located at a distance of about 20–25 km from the main capital city of Jammu and Kashmir, Srinagar. The town is situated on a highland cradle, surrounded by hills on all sides. It is a very old town, and its history goes back almost 700 years, to the time when Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Noorani, the Sufi saint of Kashmir, was buried there. The spiritual essence of the place increased at that time, and people started living around the shrine. Over time, it has grown into a very large town, with people occupying the adjoining slopes of these hills and living there for centuries.

^{Shrine of Sheikh Nooru din RA}
Now I am talking about the shrine. It is one of the most prominent and popular shrines in India. People from across the country come and pay their gratitude at this beautiful Sufi shrine. Huge gatherings of people can be seen here on festival occasions pertaining to the Islamic calendar, where they express their love for the place.

Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Noorani, the famous Sufi saint, was born in the Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir. He visited most parts of Kashmir and later settled on a highland near Rupwan, a hillock close to Char Sharif town, where he died. It is believed that people from across the valley gathered there to take his body to their respective places and bury him there, which became a matter of contention. After this, the coffin stopped and settled near a very bushy area where the shrine now stands. It is believed that the Sufi saint himself decided to settle there.

^{The grand mosque located near the shrine}

This place has now been transformed into a beautiful shrine, and along with it, a huge mosque has been constructed at great cost. It is a state-of-the-art and attractive architectural structure. It is one of the most important shrines in Kashmir, where people not only come to pay their gratitude but also bring their wishes, believing that they get fulfilled here.

Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Noorani is the same Sufi saint who translated the Islamic religious book, the Quran, into Kashmiri in his distinctive poetic style called “Shruk.” It is a beautiful place, worth visiting, where one can find peace. The place is quite unparalleled.

A lot of charity can be seen at such places, as many destitute people gather there to receive alms from devotees. Every Friday, a huge number of people, often in thousands, can be seen offering congregational prayers. These occasions allow people to express brotherhood and fraternity and share warm moments, reflecting humanity and compassion for one another.

^{interior of the shrine}

During the summer season, many people can be seen visiting places like Doodhpathri and areas on the way to Yousmarg, and the shrine again becomes a place of attraction, with large numbers of people present in its premises. In winter, people from surrounding areas come to offer prayers, as congregational prayers in Islam are considered more rewarding.

A huge number of people could be seen meditating in and around the premises of this holy shrine. It is a place where people strengthen their divine connection and feel more deeply attached to the Almighty.

^{The beautiful walnut wood work on inside of the shrine}

Devotees from all around Kashmir and other parts of India come here, and they can easily find homestays in the houses of local residents in and around the town. Such stays make the visit even more special, as they offer an opportunity to learn about the history of the place while spending unhurried time there, which helps one fall deeply in love with the surroundings. The place is connected by a beautiful road cutting through the hills, and at night, when vehicles pass with their headlights on, the sight of those lights winding through the hills is always eye-catching.

^{Night view of the shrine}

A visit to such a place brings peace of mind and serenity, and I believe that people who are more attached to such places enjoy greater peace in their lives.

Thank you for your patience. Have a good time ahead.