Thousands of devotees from across the Valley thronged the Hazratbal Shrine here on the Friday following Eid-Milad-un-Nabi (SAW) to have a glimpse of the Holy relic.While the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was observed last Monday, devotees in the Valley also observe Friday following Eid-e-Milad with fervor. The Milad celebrations started on 1st Rabi-ul-Aawal of the Islamic calendar (December 1) in Kashmir and ended on Friday
While religious congregations were held at different shrines across the Valley, the main gathering was at Hazratbal shrine here that houses the Holy relic (hair strand) of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). The holy relic was displayed after each prayer at the shrine, while as the religious heads threw light on the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) during the Friday sermon.Officials said the congregational Friday prayers at Hazratbal shrine were joined by more than 50,000 devotees that included children and women to catch the glimpse of the Holy relic of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). The shrine, since Friday morning witnessed a huge rush of devotees from across the Valley.
Authorities had made special arrangements to facilitate movement of devotees to the shrine. Hundreds of private and SRTC vehicles ferried the devotees. Official sources said that besides transport, arrangements of power, drinking water, medical aid camps and sanitation were made for the convenience of people.“A joint control room was also set up at Hazratbal for maintaining coordination between various departments engaged with the Milad celebrations,” they said.A police official said that around 5,000 Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs) and 2000 Heavy Motor Vehicles (HMVs) arrived in Hazratbal Friday, carrying devotees from different parts of the valley.“We are thankful that the devotees followed the directions regarding the traffic plan,” he said and added that the devotees kept visiting the shrine till late in the evening.To cater to the heavy rush of devotees at the shrine, the traffic police Thursday issued a route plan for traffic movement leading to the Hazratbal shrine. They had requested devotees to abide by the route plan.Besides Hazratbal, there were reports of congregational prayers from scores of areas of valley. Reports said that congregational prayers were also held at Asarisharif Kalashpora, Jenab Sahab Soura, Lal Bazar, Pinjoora Shopian, Khiram Sirhama in Islamabad (Anantnag), Seer Hamadan, Kaba Marg Qaimoh and Aham Sharief Bandipora in north Kashmir. (CNS)