Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Jan 17: Meraj-un-Nabi (PBUH) was observed across Kashmir today with religious fervour and the largest congregation witnessed at the Dargah Hazratbal here
Men, women, elderly people and children thronged the Hazratbal shrine to offer prayers and witness the display of the Holy Relic of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), which was shown after every prayer throughout the day.
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Thousands of devotees assembled at the Dargah to mark the occasion, and were seen waiting for a glimpse of the relic.
Night-long prayers were also held at the shrine on the intervening night of Friday and Saturday, drawing a large gathering.
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Similar religious congregations were reported from mosques and shrines across the Valley.
Throughout the day, devotees offered special prayers for peace and prosperity in J&K and other parts of the world.
“This is the special day and people from different parts of Kashmir reach here. The attendance of people is thin but those who are determinant ensure that they reach here on this day,” said Ghulam Nabi, a resident of Srinagar’s old city.
He said people prayed for the wellbeing of everyone living in J&K and across the world and urged the Almighty to ensure peace prevails everywhere.
“This is the special occasion and I believe that whatever we seek from Almighty today, it is given; so people reach here to have their wishes granted, because this place is sacred,” said another devotee, Nazir Ahmad from Budgam, who was accompanied by his wife and daughter.
Prayers were also held seeking an end to the prolonged dry spell affecting the region.
“We also prayed for the dry spell to end, because if it does not rain or snow, we will have to face difficulties in the next few months,” he added.
The display of the Holy Relic will continue at the Dargah Hazratbal on Sunday as well, when a large number of devotees are again expected to visit the shrine.
Authorities had put in place elaborate arrangements at Hazratbal and other major religious centres to ensure the smooth conduct of the observance.
Security arrangements were strengthened, while traffic management plans, medical facilities and other civic amenities were put in place to facilitate devotees.
The administration ensured uninterrupted electricity and water supply, sanitation and cleanliness measures, firefighting services, transport and parking facilities, and adequate healthcare arrangements.
The Road Transport Corporation (RTC) and the Regional Transport Office (RTO) ensured transport facilities, particularly during night and early morning hours, while the availability of e-rickshaws from parking areas to the shrine was arranged for elderly devotees.
The Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) deployed men and machinery to ensure cleanliness in and around the shrine, established mobile toilets and took measures to control the stray dog menace in the area.
On the occasion, the health authorities had also set up a medical camp at the shrine with an adequate number of doctors and paramedics, along with ambulance services and first-aid facilities, to provide immediate medical assistance to devotees.
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