Nearly one lakh devotees from different parts of the Valley converged at the Dargah Hazratbal shrine on Friday following Meraj-ul-Aalam (SAW) to participate in the special prayers.
The congregation reflected deep-rooted faith and devotion of the people, who thronged the shrine to seek blessings.
From early hours of the morning, men, women and elderly devotees in large numbers made their way to the shrine.
As the holy relic, believed to be of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), was displayed after the Friday prayers, the atmosphere turned emotional, with people breaking into tears. “The air was filled with hues and cries, as many raised their hands in supplication, overwhelmed by the moment of divine connection.”
Among the crowd was Ghulam Ahmad, an elderly devotee from Baramulla, who while wiping his tears, said this is a blessed occasion, and coming here fills my heart with immense peace. Seeing the holy relic is a spiritual experience that words cannot describe, he said.
Similarly, the shrine echoed with the recitation of Quranic verses, Darood, and Naats, as thousands engaged in prayers, seeking mercy and guidance.
Religious scholars and clerics also delivered sermons, noting the significance of Meraj-ul-Aalam and reminding the faithful of the Prophet’s (PBUH) journey and its lessons for humanity.
Wahid Bhat, a devotee from Tral, said that every year, he makes it a point to visit Hazratbal on this occasion. “It is a day of blessings, and witnessing the holy relic strengthens our faith,” said Wahid.
Meanwhile, authorities also made arrangements to facilitate the smooth conduct of prayers. “Security personnel were deployed in and around the shrine, while traffic management plans ensured a hassle-free experience for the devotees,” said an official.
