Srinagar, Mar 21: Eid-ul-Fitr is being celebrated across Kashmir on Saturday with traditional fervour and gaiety as the largest congregation of devotees assembled at Hazratbal Shrine on the banks of Dal Lake.
However, authorities did not allow Eid Prayers at the historic Jama Masjid in the old Srinagar city.
More than 50,000 devotees offered prayers at Hazratbal, which was the largest Eid congregation in Kashmir.
A large posse of security forces was deployed at Jama Masjid in the Nowhatta area of the city to ensure that people did not assemble at these places for prayers.
Anjuman Auqaf Jama Masjid had announced that Eid prayers will be held at Jama Masjid and urged authorities not to put curbs on the religious event.
“For the seventh consecutive year, amid restrictions and house arrests, Eid prayers remain barred at Jama Masjid. A day of celebration turned to grief and denial for Muslims,” Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who is the chief priest of Kashmir, posted on X.
“It’s an irony of our times that those who lock our mosques and Eidgahs are the first to wish us Eid Mubarak!” he said.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and National Conference president Farooq Abdullah were among the notable persons to offer prayers at Hazratbal.
Security forces were deployed in large numbers at vulnerable places in the city as authorities apprehended anti-US and anti-Israel protests after Eid prayers.
Large congregations of Eid prayers were reported from all districts of the valley.
Dressed in their best, Muslims of all ages and genders assembled in Eidgahs, mosques and shrines to offer the prayers.
The day is marked by Muslims visiting their relatives and friends to exchange gifts and greetings to mark the culmination of Ramadan.
The kids eagerly wait for Eid as they get Eidi (cash gift) on the special day. (Agencies)
The post Eid Celebrations Underway Across Kashmir, Jama Masjid Remains Off-Limits For Prayers appeared first on Daily Excelsior.