All roads lead to Hazratbal: Friday following Shab-e-Meraj

Various roads and streets leading to the shrine were decorated and markets in Hazratbal wore a festive look with vendors doing a brisk business.

Thousands of devotees from across Kashmir Friday thronged Hazratbal Shrine here to have glimpse of the relic of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) on Friday following Meraj-ul-Aalam (SAW).

Devotees including men, women and children visited the shrine throughout the day to offer prayers and have glimpse of the holy relic which was displayed after every congregational prayer. However, the attendance was highest at afternoon prayers. Thousands of devotees also offered special prayers last night.

Various roads and streets leading to the shrine were decorated and markets in Hazratbal wore a festive look with vendors doing a brisk business.

Special arrangements were put in place by Traffic Police for smooth movement of people to and from the shrine. Besides private and public transport, State Road Transport Corporation (SRTC) had made arrangements for carrying devotees.

Divisional administration had made arrangements of security and other necessary facilities. Some of the devotees complained about insufficient arrangements made by Waqf Board at Hazratbal.

Various religious, social, business and political organizations had erected banners on roads and shops greeting people on the occasion while local traders decorated the markets and announced discount on various items.

Motor Vehicles Department had made available vehicles including big and mini-buses to ferry devotees to Hazratbal. The vehicles plied till late in the evening.

SP Traffic Haseeb-ur-Rehman told that no traffic jam or any disruption in traffic was complained from any side.

Regional Transport Officer (RTO) Mehmood Shah said that they had expected around 1.5 lakh devotees on the day and made arrangements of vehicles accordingly. “The rush of devotees was around one lakh. We had made all arrangements and put 500 mini buses and 100 buses on service to ferry devotees,” said Shah.

Srinagar Municipal Corporation, SMC Employees Association, Srinagar Transport Corporation and other organizations had also organized camps around the shrine. Some of them distributed refreshments among the devotees.

Special congregational prayers were also organized at Jenab Sahab Soura, Asar-e-Sharif Shahri Kalashpora, Lal Bazar, Khanqah-e-Maula, Ziarat Hazrat Dastgeer Sahab (RA), Syed Yaqoob Sahab (RA) Sonwar, Khawaja Naqshband Sahab (RA) and Ziarat Makhdoom Sahib (RA).

Special prayers were also held at Masjids and shrines in Islamabad (Anantnag) mainly at Jamia Masjid Reshi Sahab, Khiram Sirhama, Kaba Marg, Dooru and Seer Hamdan.