621st Urs of Khwaja Banda Nawaz under way in Kalaburagi

Kalaburagi: The rituals for the 621st Urs-e-Shareef of Hazrat Syed Khwaja Bande Nawaz Dargah commenced with the customary Parcham Kushai (traditional flag hoisting ceremony) at the historic Eleven Steps (Gyarah Seedhi) near the main entrance of Dargah-e-Shareef on Saturday. Hazrat Syed Muhammad Ali Al-Hussaini, the Sajjada Nasheen of the Dargah, performed the ritual wearing the traditional attire of the Khwajgan.The gathering included the recitation of special prayers (Fateha), followed by the distribution of sacred offerings (Tabarrukat) to the assembled devotees. After the flag ceremony, the Sajjada Nasheen proceeded to offer his services at the blessed tomb (Gumbad Mubarak) of Hazrat Khwaja Bande Nawaz, where additional prayers were offered and Tabarrukat was distributed.In attendance were the Sajjada Nasheen's family members, including his sons Hazrat Syed Muhammad Syed Hussaini and Hazrat Syed Alam Hussaini, alongside his brother Syed Mustafa Hussaini and other relatives.Wednesday's celebrations began with Khidmat-I-Farrashi and Band Sama at the Dargah-e-Shareef in the morning, followed by Namaaz-e-Zuhr in the afternoon, and later by Namaz-e-Maghrib and Namaaz-e-Isha.Thursday's programme includes the continuation of Khidmat-I-Farrashi and Band Sama rituals at the historic Dargah-e-Shareef.A procession bearing sandal paste will be taken out from Mehboob Gulshan Garden towards the dargah in the evening. The application of sandal paste on Hazrat Khwaja Bande Nawaz's tomb, scheduled between Wednesday night and early Thursday, signals the commencement of the renowned Urs-e-Shareef. The urs will conclude on Friday.