Koonday

Koonday or Koonday ki Niyaz is Sufi festival Commemorating Imam Jafar al Sadiq who is regarded the 6th Imam of Ahlul Baith. It is celebrated on 22nd Rajab annually, characterized by preparation of Kheer Puri at this occasion.

Etymology

This festival derives its name from Koonday which means earthen pots in Hindi-Urdu languages. Usually, the Kheer and Puri which is cooked for this occasion is placed in these earthen pots named Koonday.

Celebrations

The concept behind the celebration is to offer Isal-e-Sawab to Imam Jafar al Sadiq, similar to Gyarvi Sharif to Shaykh Jilani. 22nd Rajab is actually the day of Wisal of Imam Jafar, so on this day his Urs is celebrated. The celebration is characterized by Fatiha and distribution of tabarruk.

Reference

• Raj, Sheela (1987). Mediaevalism to Modernism: Socio-economic and Cultural History of Hyderabad, 1869-1911. Popular Prakashan. p.89. ISBN 978-0-86132-143-8.
• Lecture by Sayyed Aminul Qadri.