Famous Ziyarat of Syed Simnani RA at Kulgam

                 (Image Courtesy: Internet)

Kashmir is the land of saints, seers, faquirs, godly men and has been the place where there are, shrines, mosques, temples and Gurudwras in plenitude. It has been a place where religion and spirituality flourished from time to time. The people of Kashmir are mostly of religious bent of mind and there have been the shrines housing saints and Faquirs. One of the reputed and famous shrines is Syed Simaan in Kulgam and it is said that the name Kulgam has been invented and given by Syed Simnan and before this name Kulgam was known as Shampora. Syed Simnani came from place known as Simnan in Iran and Syed Simnan came to Kashmir along with many Syeds who came with the arrival of world famous saint Shah Hamdan who is credited with the spread of Islam in Kashmir. Syed Simnan was an 6th century sufi saint who blended Islamic tenets with, sufi traditions and it was he who emphasized the unity of man and gave stress on syncretism that is composite culture.He is famous for the spread of Islam across Kashmir and particularly in Kulgam region.He visited Kulgam and its beauty, serene and natural environment made him to select Kulgam for his permanent abode and his shrine is located in Kulgam and after the gracefully passing away of this saint,his body was buried in Kulgam and his tomb stands constructed in Kulgam and it is the famous Ziarat in whole Kashmir and people of Kulgam and beyond frequent the shrine and particularly on Fridays, there remains much rush of devotees at this shrine.

People irrespective of their religious affiliations pay obeisance at the shrine and seek the blessings of the great saint. Both Kashmiri Muslims and Kashmiri Pandits frequently visit this shrine and both communities regard and revere the saint. Before militancy and migration of the Kashmiri Pandits, they used to visit the shrine and they even today have much faith in Syed Simnan. Syed Simnan has got a sacred and important place in the spiritual land of Kashmir. He is revered and regarded a saint of high spiritual powers and his name is given much regard and respect and is taken with reverence by the people of Kulgam and by the people residing beyond Kulgam. As said at the outset that the beautiful land of Kashmir has been the abode of saints, sages, seers, sufi mystics and the like and one of the great sufi and Islamic saint was Syed Simnan who is famous even today across the Kashmir valley. The teachings and preachings of Syed Simnan has shaped cultural and religious ethos of Kashmir. In fact Syed Simnan holds a place of pride and eminence for having spread the message of pity, benevolence, kindness and firstly he is credited with the spread of Islam and at the same time he preached the philosophy of sufisim and Rishi culture in Kulgam and beyond. His shrine at Kulgam is not only a place of worship but is also a place of faith, peace and spirituality. The shrine attracts people from far and wide who get peace and solace by visiting the shrine. He is deeply associated and interwoven with the spiritual history and legacy of Kashmir. Syed simnan like other saints who came to Kashmir is said to have been the torch bearer of Sufi thought and he gave the message of tolerance, peace,compassion, pity and goodness. Kashmir has been a fertile ground for sufi saints and sufism and Syed Simnan has spread the tenets of sufi thought and philosophy along with the Islam and because of this blending he has been regarded with high respect and regard. 

Syed Simnan was a guiding light and torch bearer for the people of his time.He was an inspiration for the people of Kulgam in particular and Kashmiris in general.His teaching of pity, love and mutual co-existence attracted people towards him and they followed his teachings and preachings. Kulgam became a spiritual centre because of his saintly presence and his shrine became a revered place frequently visited by Kashmiris. The shrine of Syed Simnan is the living proof of his enduring legacy. Located in the centre of Kulgam overlooking river Vishaw his shrine symbolizes and reflects Islamic tenets with sufiana tinge and fragrance. The Ziarat stands as a testimony to the fact that Kashmiri society is basically religious and syncretic values are present in the society and hence Kashmir was famous through globe for composite culture and Hindi-Muslim unity.People of Kashmir have the long tradition of being followers of sufism and also felt delighted with spirituality and they revered saints and sages from ancient times. The architecture of the shrine embodies simplicity and at the same time but shines with aura of sanctity and people from far and wide are attracted towards it. Pilgrims and devotees frequent this shrine offer prayers, light traditional lamps, recite holy Quran and seek the blessings of the great saint who is said to have performed miracles and became of this and his simple and divine personality ,people were attracted towards his Ziarat. Those who visit the shrine come out with peace of mind and their worldly desires as well as heavenly desires get fulfilled such is the faith of people with this shrine.

This shrine is not only a place of worship but also a place where cultural unity of Kashmir manifests.The shrine symbolizes the inclusive ethos of Kashmiri sufism which has stressed love and harmony than division and conflict. Syed Simnan and his life and teachings inspired people to rise above narrow confines and embrace broader compass of humanity and mutual brotherhood. His urs is being annually celebrated and it is an occasion for the people of Kulgam and nearby areas to visit the shrine and seek the blessings of the great saint. In short, the relevance of syed Simnan’s shrine is particularly meaningful and stands as a living proof of his enduring legacy of cultural unity and spread of Islam. The teachings of this sufi saint are much relevant in the modern world and we should follow his teachings for our spiritual fulfilment.