• JKNC President Farooq Abdullah joins congregation
• IGP Kashmir reviews security as authorities deploy traffic, medical and crowd-management arrangements
Srinagar: Thousands of devotees gathered at Dargah Hazratbal on Friday for congregational prayers following Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (SAW), with the Holy Relic believed to be of Prophet Muhammad (SAW)displayed at the shrine amid elaborate security and civic arrangements.
The congregation drew worshippers from Srinagar and various districts of Kashmir, with large numbers of men, women and children participating in Friday prayers and religious programmes at the shrine located on the banks of Dal Lake.
The Holy Relic remained a major focus of the congregation, with devotees offering prayers and seeking blessings. Religious scholars and preachers addressed the gathering and spoke about the life and teachings of Prophet Muhammad(SAW), emphasising peace, compassion, brotherhood and mutual respect.
National Conference president and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah also attended the Friday congregation at Hazratbal.
The gathering was part of wider Eid-e-Milad observances across the Valley, with mosques and shrines in Srinagar and other districts witnessing prayers, Milad gatherings and religious programmes.
Devotees from Bandipora, Baramulla, Kupwara, Pulwama, Shopian, Kulgam and Anantnag participated in religious gatherings organised in their respective areas, while several parts of Srinagar, including areas in the old city and uptown, also witnessed religious programmes and processions.
At Hazratbal, the large turnout led authorities to deploy additional arrangements for security, traffic regulation, medical assistance and crowd management.
IGP Kashmir Zone Sujit Kumar reviewed security arrangements around Hazratbal and other key locations in Srinagar. Police and other security personnel were deployed at strategic points around the shrine and along routes used by devotees to facilitate the movement of worshippers and maintain security.
J&K Waqf Board Chairperson Dr Syed Darakhshan Andrabi had earlier reviewed arrangements at the Assar-i-Sharief, Dargah Hazratbal, including devotee facilities, cleanliness, infrastructure and ongoing development works.
She had directed the concerned officials of the Waqf administration and Engineering Wing to ensure that all facilities remained functional, properly maintained and accessible to devotees during the Eid-e-Milad congregation.
The district administration also put medical facilities in place near the shrine in view of the large congregation.
Traffic Police implemented route plans and diversions around Hazratbal to regulate vehicular movement and facilitate the movement of devotees travelling to and from the shrine.
Officials from the civil administration and police remained deployed in and around the area as the congregation continued, with arrangements focused on managing the movement of large crowds and ensuring that worshippers could participate in prayers without disruption.
For devotees, the congregation remained centred on prayer and the religious significance of the occasion.
Manzoor Ahmad Mir, a local from Soura said that Hazratbal has always been a place of faith and peace for us. Coming here on this occasion gives devotees a sense of spiritual connection and togetherness. People have come from different places to remember the Prophet and seek blessings. The atmosphere here is peaceful and spiritual,” he said.
Abdul Rashid, another devotee who attended the prayers with family members, said the display of the Holy Relic added to the significance of the occasion.
“We came to offer prayers and seek blessings. Seeing so many people gathered peacefully at Hazratbal is a deeply moving experience,” he said.
The congregation also brought increased activity for local vendors operating around the shrine. Food stalls and small eateries witnessed a rise in customers as devotees stopped for refreshments before and after prayers.
Halwa-paratha, among the popular food items sold around Hazratbal, attracted devotees during the day.
“We get more customers whenever there is a large religious gathering. People come for prayers and many also stop for food before returning home,” said a local vendor.
The religious observances extended beyond Srinagar, with Eid-e-Milad programmes organised at mosques and shrines in different districts.
In several locations, scholars and religious speakers addressed gatherings on the teachings of Prophet Muhammad and called for peace, compassion, social harmony and mutual respect.
The Hazratbal congregation, meanwhile, remained one of the major gatherings associated with the occasion.
Located on the banks of Dal Lake, Dargah Hazratbal holds a prominent position in Kashmir’s religious landscape and witnesses large gatherings on occasions associated with the Holy Relic.
The Friday congregation followed Eid-e-Milad observances across the Valley, with people participating in prayers and religious programmes to mark the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad.
The display of the Holy Relic at Hazratbal drew large numbers of worshippers to the shrine, with devotees waiting to offer prayers and seek blessings.
“We started early in the morning because we expected a large gathering. Despite the travel, we wanted to participate in the prayers at Hazratbal,” said a devotee from Kupwara.
The administration’s arrangements also covered the movement of vehicles and pedestrians around the shrine. Traffic diversions were put in place on key routes, while police personnel assisted in regulating the flow of people and vehicles.
Security personnel remained stationed around the shrine and other important points throughout the congregation.
As prayers concluded, devotees began dispersing towards different parts of Srinagar and other districts. Traffic management measures remained in place as the movement of people and vehicles continued around Hazratbal.
