There are several versions on Jesus' India sojourn. Some books argue Jesus did spend as many as 16 years in India, becoming a disciple of Buddhism. But many dispute the entire version, saying there has never been conclusive evidence on Jesus' visit to India. The old debate or controversy resurfaced after Rozabal shrine of Sufi saint Yuz Asaf at Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir banned visitors and believers alike from entering the sanctum sanctorum. It was at the Rozabal shrine, many believe, Jesus was laid to rest. However, there has not been any conclusive proof to substantiate the claim. The shrine's move comes after some believers wanted to exhume the remains to obtain carbon dating and get a DNA done."Some Christians claim it is the grave of Jesus and they had approached us with a request to exhume the remains for DNA testing. But, we refused," Mohammad Amin Ringshawl, the shrine's caretaker. As always in such cases, the ban has had a domino effect. The shrine had a mention in The Lonely Planet, a worldwide guide for travellers. As the word spread, inquisitive visitors started flocking the shrine. Angered by the sudden "interest" being shown by foreigners in the shrine, the authorities banned people from entering the shrine. Incidentally, the man -- Aziz Kashmiri, senior journalist-- who first wrote that Jesus was buried in Kashmir-- passed away recently, rekindling memories of the controversy and interest associated with the grave in the Khanyar locality. Aziz Kashmiri, the editor of a local Urdu daily Roshini, was the first to advance the theory in his book Christ In Kashmir published in 1973. The shrine shot into limelight following the publication of the book underpinning the theory "that Jesus survived crucifixion and migrated to Kashmir'. The claim is strongly contested by local Muslims who say the Rozabal shrine is the final resting place of two famous Muslim saints, Youza Asaf and Syed Naseer-ud-Din, who came here centuries ago. Ringshawl says the controversy started in 2002 when an American researcher, Suzzane Marie, had met him and other members of the shrine committee and wanted to carry out the digging to exhume the remains for DNA testing."It is un-Islamic. Further the Holy Quran clearly mentions that Jesus did not die on the cross, but was lifted to heavens by Allah.""Following our strong protests, the American lady had to leave the valley and we even filed a complaint against her in the local police station."Ringshawl said following this episode 'the entry of tourists in the shrine was banned by committee'. "We have locked the shrine and we don't even allow any photography even from outside it. They were hurting the feelings of the local Muslims." The graves of saints are covered with green cloth embroidered with verses from the Holy Quran and local Muslims often stop at the shrine to say prayers.In his book, Aziz Kashmiri writes, "Kashmiri history books tell us that Yus Asaf came from abroad. He was a prophet and a messenger. He came from Israel. He came to spread his teachings. He lived and died here. Yus Asaf was Issa. He was Jesus.""The meaning of Yus Asaf is, The Healer. Another meaning is The Shepherd the one who teaches others. Our history confirms that Issa was known as Yus Assaf, here in Kashmir.""The footprints were carved as a sign. The scars are clearly visible, sustained as he was nailed to the cross. They show that this is the same person who came here from Israel."And that he lived and died here. You won't find any footprints like these anywhere else in Kashmir."Meanwhile, in an interview to Times of India recently, Suzanne refuted allegations that she had attempted to remove anything from the tomb, or dig it up."I can't imagine who started those rumours or why," she said and maintained that the belief that there is a Muslim saint in the same tomb is untrue. "The tomb predates Islam and could never be a Muslim tomb," she was quoted as saying.
One more controversial fact that is related to the Srinagar shrine has its root in present day Pakistan. Thousands of devotees across the world believe Mother Mary is buried in Murree. But nobody has ever tried to verify the claim. Among the various, fascinating legends connected with the popular tourist resort of Murree, the self-styled „Queen of the Hills‟ in Pakistan, is a unique tale about the tomb of Virgin Mary. Believe it or not but some claim that located on a peaceful Murree hilltop is the very site thought to be the final abode or resting place of the Mother of Jesus Christ, better known to Muslims as Hazrat Marium. The site has been maintained and honoured as far back as anyone can remember. Its importance can be judged from the fact that the surrounding country is named after the supposed gravesite. According to legend, the name Murree‟ is derived from "Marium‟ or Mary.
Among locals it is known as Mai Mari da Asthan (Resting Place of Mother Mary). Indeed, when the British first arrived here in the 1850s, to establish a new hill-station in India, Murree was still known as Mari. The spelling was later changed to the present one in 1875. However, with the waves fo time, the exact origin of the shrine has become obscure. Since time immemorial, Hindus have worshipped it and the Muslims pay their homage on Thursdays by lighting earthen lamps filled with oil. Commanding, as one book puts it, “magnificent views over forest-clad hills into deep valleys, studded with villages and cultivated fields, with the snow-covered peaks of Kashmir in the background” and overlooking the plains of Punjab, it stood naturally eligible to be selected by the British for military purposes who built a watchtower at the site.
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