He established a Khanqah at Kulmarg, which served as a centre for spiritual instruction.
Sheikh Nuruddin Nurani (RA), also known as Nund Rishi and Alamdar-e-Kashmir (Standard-Bearer of Kashmir)
Born c 1050 AH / 1640 CE at Gulmarg, Baramulla; died 1130 AH / 1718 CE; buried at Kulmarg.
Saint of the Qadiriyya order, spiritual successor of Sheikh Ismail Qadiri (RA)
Sheikh Abd al-Aziz Gulmargi (RA) hailed from a respected family of scholars in Baramulla. He studied the Quran and theology in Srinagar before receiving initiation into the Qadiriyya order. His piety, generosity, and commitment to public welfare made him a beloved figure throughout north Kashmir.
He established a Khanqah at Kulmarg, which served as a centre for spiritual instruction, hospitality, and charity. He was known for maintaining a public kitchen (langar) that fed the poor daily – a custom his followers continued for generations.
Service to humanity as a form of worship
Emphasis on moderation, humility, and sincerity
Rejection of sectarianism and material ambition
Promotion of zikr and charity as dual paths to divine nearness
After his death, Sheikh Abdul Aziz Gulmargi’s Khanqah became an important spiritual institution in north Kashmir. His shrine remains an active site of pilgrimage, with annual Urs commemorations celebrating his life of compassion and service.
Local oral accounts attribute to him miraculous acts of healing and divine foresight, particularly his ability to predict natural calamities. These traditions serve to express his spiritual influence in Kashmiri collective memory.
Tarikh-i-Ḥasan, Volume III
Baharistan-i-Shahi
Qadiriyya Saints of the Himalayas (Sufi Studies Quarterly, 2019)
J&K Heritage Journal, ‘Spiritual Centres of Baramulla’
