Irfan Tramboo
Srinagar, Nov 6: Friday following of Eid-e-Milad was today observed across Kashmir with religious fervour with the largest gathering of devotees reported from Dargah Hazratbal in Srinagar.
People in thousands participated in Friday congregational prayers with adherence to COVID-19 SOPs. The large participation of people was also witnessed during other prayer timings during the day.
Devotees including women, elderly and children were seen reaching Dargah Hazratbal at around noon to participate in the prayers. Earlier, on the eve of Eid Milad similar scenes were witnessed there.
Reports of conduct of large gatherings on the occasion were also received from other parts of Kashmir valley.
Anticipating a rush of people at the venue, a detailed route plan was put forth by the Traffic Department whose personnel were seen on the roads leading to Dargah manning traffic throughout the day.
Keeping in view the rush of people, two parking spaces that were notified on the eve of Eid-e-Milad, Kashmir University Campus and NIT, Srinagar, were again designated as parking spaces where the devotees were asked to park their vehicles.
Despite the route plan, traffic jams were observed at various places along the route leading to the main venue of the day.
People from across Kashmir Valley had managed to reach to Dargah and offered Friday congregational prayers, while some had plans of staying up till the last prayer of the day, others headed to their homes soon after the Friday prayers.
Notably, after the culmination of every prayer of the day, the holy relic of the Prophet (SAW) is displayed with utter caution from one of the minarets of Dargah Hazratbal.
People who were coming out the mosque said that they prayed for the peace and prosperity of J&K as a whole and particularly asked Almighty’s blessings in putting an end to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The last time I was here, I prayed for the end of COVID pandemic which has wreaked havoc everywhere, today I prayed for the peace and prosperity of this place which has now seen a lot of turbulence,” an elderly lady said.
On part of the administration, the arrangements were similar to what was put in place on the eve of Eid-e-Milad. Adequate buses were made to ply on all the major routes leading to Dargah Hazratbal and additionally, more sumos were also made available on the route for the day.
Officials said that proper parking facilities were arranged for the public reaching Dargah, while as basic medical camps and ambulances, infrared thermometers were also put in place on all the ten entrance of Dargah.
Also, proper arrangements were made for the conduct of prayers; mats were placed in a way to make sure that the social distancing is maintained across.
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