Shrine
The shrine of Sheikh-ul-Alam, in addition to the structure itself, contained its attached Khanqahs, inns for the pilgrims and other physical features, the vendors of various prayer merchandise, food stalls etc. All combined to make it a place of pilgrimage for Kashmiris of all communities. The shrine contained 600 years old handmade Persian and Kashmir carpets, ancient objects and scrolls, some antique copies of the Quran, extremely precious cut-glass chandeliers etc., all which were reduced to smoke and ashes during a firefight between the Indian army and militants on April 11, 1995. Both sides blame the other for the fire. Now the shrine has been rebuilt although the adjoining Khanqah is still under construction.
Read more about this topic: Sheikh Noor-ud-din Wali
Famous quotes containing the word shrine:
“The United Nations cannot do anything, and never could; it is not an animate entity or agent. It is a place, a stage, a forum and a shrine ... a place to which powerful people can repair when they are fearful about the course on which their own rhetoric seems to be propelling them.”
—Conor Cruise O’Brien (b. 1917)