Thousands of devotees converged on the Hazratbal shrine in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, on Wednesday, 26 August, to mark Eid-e-Milad — the birthday of the Prophet of Islam — in one of the Valley's most significant annual religious gatherings. Devotees began arriving from Tuesday evening, spending the night in prayer and devotion at what is widely regarded as the holiest Muslim shrine in J&K.

Night of Prayer and Devotion

Men, women, and children from across the Kashmir Valley and from diverse sections of society prayed through the night, seeking peace, health, prosperity, and happiness. The atmosphere at the shrine was one of collective penance, with devotees loudly reciting Daroud — praises of the Prophet — as part of their observance.

The Holy Relic at the Heart of the Shrine

The Hazratbal shrine houses one of Islam's most venerated relics in the subcontinent — a hair believed to belong to the Prophet's beard. The relic was displayed to devotees following the morning prayers on Wednesday. According to the shrine's tradition, the relic will continue to be displayed after every Nimaz (prayer) through Friday evening. Among the five locations in the Valley said to house relics of the Prophet, Hazratbal holds the most sacred status. Islamic belief holds that the relic enshrined here belongs to the Prophet following the event of Mehraj-e-Alam — the Prophet's ascension to the heavens — making it spiritually distinct from the others.

Kashmir's Sufi Tradition on Display

The gathering is also a visible affirmation of the Sufi-oriented brand of Islam that has historically defined religious practice in Kashmir. Notably, the occasion has at times been mischaracterised by certain hardline interpretations — particularly those associated with the Ahle Hadis school of thought — which have accused shrine visitors of seeking divine blessings from saints rather than from Allah alone. Observers and religious scholars counter that devotees at Hazratbal pray exclusively to Allah, with the recitation of Daroud forming the core of the practice. The tolerant, syncretic character of Kashmiri Islam, rooted in Sufi traditions, stands in contrast to more literalist schools, and events like Eid-e-Milad serve as a public reaffirmation of that identity.

Arrangements and Administration

Authorities put in place comprehensive arrangements for the large gathering, covering transport, healthcare, safe drinking water, and security. The scale of the logistical operation reflects the significance of the event, which draws devotees from across the Valley each year. Eid-e-Milad is observed as a national holiday across India in recognition of the Prophet's birth anniversary.

What to Watch

The relic display will continue at Hazratbal through Friday evening, drawing further waves of devotees in the coming days. The event's peaceful conduct this year will be seen as a marker of the Valley's social stability ahead of the post-summer political calendar.