Srinagar- For the first time in the last three years, tens of thousands of devotees from across Kashmir Valley converged at the revered Hazratbal shrine here on Friday following Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi, the day when Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was born.
The number swelled as the day progressed and a sea of devotees was seen at the shrine and its adjacent sprawling lawns along the banks of Dal Lake especially during Zuhr prayers.
It was the largest gathering at Hazratbal after the 2019 disruption after abrogation of Article 370 and subsequent year long curbs followed by nearly two years of Covid-19 lockdown.
Devout, many of them women, could be seen in tears while having the glimpse of holy relic after every obligatory prayer.
The other shrines across the Valley also witnessed huge gatherings. The congregational prayers were held at many shrines including Khiram Sirhama Anantnag, Asarisharif Kalashpora, Jenab Sahab Soura, Pinjoora Shopian, Seer Hamadan, Kaba Marg Qaimoh and Aham Sharief Bandipora in north Kashmir where massive gathering of devotees was witnessed.
People offer prayers at the Hazratbal shrine on Eid-e-Milad, the birth anniversary of the prophet, friday folowing in Srinagar. PHOTO IMRAN NISSAR
Meanwhile, authorities had made special arrangements to facilitate movement of devotees to the shrine. Besides transport, arrangements of power, drinking water, medical aid camps and sanitation were made for the convenience of people.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Srinagar, Rakesh Balwal said that special security and traffic arrangements were put in place by the authorities today to ensure peaceful culmination of special prayers.
All the arrangements including traffic route plan, security plan, medical camps and others were made while the public cooperation has helped to ensure smooth passage to the devotees and culmination of special congregational prayers.
Meanwhile, in a tweet, Srinagar police said, “Approximately one lakh devotees attended Friday afternoon prayers in Hazratbal Dargah on ‘Friday following Eid-Milad-un-Nabi’. The day is being observed peacefully with full religious fervour at Dargah. Exhaustive Security and traffic arrangements are in place.”
Several seminars and Seerat Conferences were also organized across the Valley while the Islamic clerics threw light on the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) during the Friday sermons.
Meanwhile a big Milad procession was taken out from Mirgund which culminated at Imambargah Budgam. KNO