Srinagar, Nov 21: Thousands of devotees on Wednesday thronged Hazratbal shrine in Srinagar to observe Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (SAW) and have glimpse of relic of Prophet of Islam (SAW).
The day marks the birth anniversary of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
Religious processions, special prayer meetings and Seerat conferences were also organised across the state to celebrate the day.
The biggest congregation was held at Dargah Hazratbal shrine on the banks of Dal Lake where thousands of devotees gathered to offer five prayers during the day and had a glimpse of the holy relic of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW). The holy relic was brought to Hazratbal in the eighth century and since then it has been the most revered shrine of Kashmir Valley.
During the preceding night also, braving chill devotes participated in the special nightlong prayers (‘Shab Khwani’) at the shrine.
Similar congregations were also held at Jenab Sahib Soura and Asar-e-Sharief Kailashpora and scores of other shrines and Khanqah’s across the Valley.
Milad processions were also taken out from different parts of the Valley.
State administration said all the arrangements were in place for the convenience of the devotees at Hazratbal and other shrines. Different government departments including the Public Health Engineering (PHE), Health department and Power Development Department (PDD) had taken care of their respective spheres where the ‘Hazratbal Special’ buses of State Road Transport Corporation (SRTC) were plying from Lal Chowk to Hazratbal throughout the day.
Stringent security arrangements were also in place in and around the Hazratbal shrine. Scores of policemen were deployed to prevent any untoward incident while senior officers were keeping a vigil on entire Hazratbal area.
In south Kashmir, thousands of devotees thronged Khiram-Sirhama shrine in Anantnag district.
Several small and large rallies were taken out in Pulwama, Anantnag and Shopian districts of the south Kashmir. The devotees holding green flags and banners raised slogans in praise of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and emphasized on the teachings of Islam.
Major congregations were also held at Kabba Marg, Jamia Masjid Reshi Bazar and Khankhah-e-Moula Pampore. In central and north Kashmir districts, similar congregations and rallies were held by devotees to celebrate Eid-e-Milad.
A large congregation was held at the shrine of Sufi saint Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Noraani (RA) at Charar-e-Shareef in Budgam district. Police said the celebrations across the Valley culminated peacefully.
Besides congregations and rallies, several conferences and seminars were also held at multiple places by different religious organizations and other groups in Valley including in summer capital Srinagar on the occasion of Milad.
