Charar-i-Sharief is located on the way to Yusmarg, 40 kilometers from Srinagar. Charar-i-Sharief is probably one of the most ancient of shrines which stands tall in the valley of Jammu & Kashmir. Inheriting a heritage of about 600 years old, Charar-i-Sharief was built to pay homage to one of the holy saints of Sufism - Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Noorani. Also referred as Hazrat Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Wali, Charar-i-Sharief has went through many a tumultuous times. This shrine is indeed one of the most prominent elements of the tourism of the Jammu and Kashmir. It is revered not only by the Muslims but also by the Hindus. Over the years, the shrine has emerged as the Yusmarg’s key tourist attraction. During the Urs celebration, millions of people from different faiths swarm to the shrine with an objective of seeking blessings from the patron saint of the Kashmiris. During the war of Indian and Pakistani Army, the shrine was badly devastated. However, through the diligent efforts of the local governing authorities Charar-i-Sharief was again reconstructed. Then there was a militant attack on the shrine in the year 1995 due to which a major portion of Charar-i-Sharief was broken. This was also repaired in due time. The historic tales behind Charar-i-Sharief narrates an array of interesting anecdotes. The mention of Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Noorani who took birth in 1377 is all-pervasive in the saga of the origin of Charar-i-Sharief. Called by the name of Sahazanand or Nund Reshi, Noor-ud-Din Noorani propounded the significance of Rishism in the valley of Jammu & Kashmir centuries ago. During his entire life, Noor-ud-Din Noorani spread the message of tolerance, vegetarianism and communal peace among the local people of the valley.
On the occasion of his death in 1438, it is believed that as much as nine lakh followers came to Charar-i-Sharief to pay their homage to Noor-ud-Din Noorani. Preserving the remains of Noor-ud-Din Noorani, Charar-i-Sharief today is regarded as one of the holiest of places of Muslim sect. A great philosopher who had a mastery over poetry and verses, Noor-ud-Din Noorani was also known by several names such as Alamdar-e-Kashmir, Sheikh-ul-Alam and Sarkhel-e-Rishiya, among others.
