Srinagar
Tens of thousands of devotees from Kashmir Valley converged at the historic Hazratbal shrine on the outskirts of city on the eve of Eid-e-Milad-Un-Nabi (SAW) on Wednesday.
The devotees including men, women and children thronged the shrine all through the day to have glimpses of the holy relics of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), displayed after every prayer at the shrine.
Despite cold conditions, nearly twenty thousand people alone converged at the shrine this morning and had glimpses of relics after Fajr prayers. However, the biggest congregation was witnessed on Zuhr and Asr prayers at the shrine and its adjacent sprawling lawns along the banks of Dal Lake.
People also offered ‘Durud’ (praises of the Prophet) and recited Holy Quran last night at the shrine for atonement of their sins. Besides Hazratbal, congregational prayers were also held at Asarisharif Kalashpora, Jenab Sahib Soura, Lal Bazar, Punjura Shopian, Khiram Sirhama Anantnag (Islamabad), Seer Hamdan Kaba Marg Qaimoh Ahmshrief Bandipora and Hazrat Janbaz Wali (RA) Baramulla. Nightlong prayers were held across the Valley where clerics threw light on the pious life of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
On the occasion, a festive look prevailed for the past several days as various Masjids and shrines in the city and elsewhere, besides various commercial malls in the civil lines areas were decked out with lights.
Meanwhile, traffic cops remained on their toes throughout the day to man traffic to the shrine that poured virtually from all parts of the valley.
Over thousand private transport vehicles and State Road Transport Corporation buses ferried the devotees to and from Hazratbal while the authorities had enforced different traffic plan to ensure smooth movement.
Authorities had also made arrangements on the occasion including the erection of tents for medical aid at several places along the streets for the devotees.
People were also spotted distributing special drinks to the devotees while some offered specially cooked Kashmiri rice locally known as ‘Tahri.’
