Sain Miran attracts people of all faiths
Shariq Majeed
Tribune News Service

Poonch, January 30
Militants may have tried several times to break unity among Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs in the border township, but they have failed every time.

A child offers prayers at the Sain Miran shrine near the LoC in Poonch. A Tribune photograph

People belonging to different religions have always thwarted the evil designs of the militants. The unprecedented turnout of devotees comprising Muslims, Sikhs and Hindus at Sain Miran Sahab Ziarat at Guntrian, close to the Line of Control, validates this fact.

Every Thursday, Ghulam Sheikh, a resident of the Surankote area, along with his family comes to seek the blessings at the shrine reverred by people from even the neighboring Rajouri district. "The shrine has a rare attraction. Whenever I have come here, I have always felt some unseen power blessing me", said Sheikh. "Sain Sahab never returns anyone emptyhanded",he said.

Another resident of the border township of Nowshera in Rajouri district, Baldev Kumar, who shares the feelings of Ghulam Sheikh said the shrine was the epitome of Sikh, Muslim and Hindu unity. "He is our savior. We the people of these twin border districts have a great faith in him" he said. "Though militants made every attempt to destroy the otherwise peaceful atmosphere in Rajouri and Poonch districts, our belief in Sain Saheb has always brought us closer".

The area has witnessed many militant attacks on the minorities to divide the people, but the shrine has always united the people and protected them.

It is not only the people on this side of the LoC who have great belief in the Sain Miran Sahab Ziarat, but the people on the other side of the LoC in POK near the shrine too are seen sitting near the fence on Thursday and seeking blessings.

Sain Akhbar Din, who is the mujawir (manager) here, says that pilgrims come here from as far as Mumbai, Kolkatta and Kerala and even from Pakistan. "Every year, the Urs (anniversary) of Sainji is celebrated on November 26 and 27. We receive lakhs of pilgrims annually and have adequate facilities for them".

This Ziarat is located in Guntrian village. A road to link to it has been constructed for facilitating the pilgrims’ visit.