Roza Bal is the name of a shrine located in the Khanyar district of Srinagar, in Kashmir, India, venerated by some Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists. Some people identify the sage buried there with one Yuz Asaf and with Jesus, whom they allege to have arrived in Kashmir after surviving his crucifixion.
The tomb itself consists of a low rectangular building on a raised platform, surrounded by railings at the front. It has three arches at the front, where entry can be had, and four arches at the side. Inside is a rock carving that is said to show feet bearing crucifixion wounds.
The tomb had previously been maintained by local descendants of the buried sage. It is currently maintained by a Board of Directors consisting of Sunni Muslims. Sahibzada Basharat Saleem, a former caretaker (now deceased), claimed to hold genealogical tables that link him as a direct descendant of the buried sage. In recent time another man was buried there, who is revered by some local Muslims as a Sufi saint, although others point to historical data that he was only the shrine's long-serving caretaker.
1 comment:
Oh, how wonderful to see something about Rozabal Shrine. I lived in Kashmir for five months in 1985 with a 4 and 8-year-old. I have wanted to go back since then! I became friends with Sahibzada Basharat Saleem, we had wonderful discussions together on my houseboat on Dal Lake. He almost got to visit in America. I wish all of you in Kashmir the best of health, wealth, and prosperity. Kashmir is a jewel of the world and my favorite place of all.
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