Rehan Qayoom Mir
Srinagar, Aug 9: Scores of devotees thronged the famous Shankaracharya Temple on Saturday to offer special prayers on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan, with the hilltop temple reverberating with chants and hymns.
From morning hours, long queues formed along the temple path leading up to the centuries-old temple, perched above the beautiful Dal Lake.
According to reports, men, women and children carrying prayer plates (puja thalis) waited patiently for their turn to pay obeisance.
“This is my first Raksha Bandhan in Srinagar and praying here at Shankaracharya Temple feels truly divine,” said Neelam Sharma, a devotee from Jammu.
Similarly, temple authorities say arrangements were made to ensure smooth movement of devotees despite the heavy rush.
“We had a large turnout today. Pilgrims came not just from Kashmir but from various parts of the country,” said a temple official.
Notably, for many the occasion was as much about faith as it was about family.
“Raksha Bandhan is about love and protection and offering prayers here makes it even more special,” said Rajesh, who travelled with his sisters from Delhi.
Moreover, the temple, believed to date back to the 9th century, remains a prominent spiritual and tourist destination, offering beautiful views of Srinagar and Dal Lake. On Saturday, its steps carried an extra crowd as devotees marked the festival with reverence and joy.
