Shab-e-Meraj celebrated with religious fervour

Srinagar, Jan 16: Thousands of devotees thronged religious places across Kashmir to observe Shab-e-Meraj on the intervening night of Friday and Saturday.
The masjids and shrines across Kashmir were decorated with lights as people across all age groups gathered to observe the holy night of Shab-e-Meraj. In Kashmir, the biggest congregation was held at the revered shrine Dargah Hazratbal in Srinagar, where thousands participated in the night-long prayers amid cold temperatures.
By Friday evening, the shrine’s courtyard had turned into an ocean of devotion, with thousands of men, women and children softly reciting verses from the holy Quran.
The recitation of Durood Sharif rose into the night sky, echoing over the beautiful waters of Dal Lake. Children clung to their mothers, while elders leaned on walking sticks, whispering prayers that have passed through generations.
“This night melts every heart,” said Ghulam Rasool, a 68-year-old devotee from Pulwama, who came to attend Shab-e-Miraj prayers at the Hazratbal Shrine.
Ghulam Rasool said he has been coming for more than 30 years. “When I see the holy Relic, it feels as if the Prophet’s mercy is right before my eyes. That moment cleanses the soul and strengthens our faith.”
Notably, from Fajr to Isha, the faithful will pour into the shrine with their eyes glowing with tears, seeking blessings, forgiveness and peace.
Earlier this week, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Akshay Labroo and SSP Srinagar Sandeep Chakravarthy reviewed the on-ground arrangements at the Hazratbal Shrine. They directed all line departments, including Power Development, Jal Shakti, SMC, Health and Traffic Police, to ensure uninterrupted power and water supply, proper sanitation, medical assistance and efficient traffic management for devotees.
“Every effort has been made to ensure the smooth and peaceful observance of Shab-e-Miraj. Our focus is on the comfort and safety of devotees through continuous coordination among departments,” DC Labroo told officials.
Similarly, the J&K Waqf Board has deployed volunteers for crowd regulation, arranged mobile toilets, restored streetlights and installed water tanks for devotees. The Health Department has also set up a medical camp with doctors, paramedics and ambulances stationed near the shrine for round-the-clock service.
As the night deepened, sermons at Hazratbal reminded worshippers of the spiritual essence of the Prophet’s journey. “Shab-e-Miraj is not merely a story of ascension; it is a reminder to rise above worldly desires and purify our hearts,” said a local cleric. “This is the night when mercy descends, and angels spread peace upon those who pray.”
Tomorrow, on Saturday, the holy relic will be displayed after every prayer, Fajr, Zuhr, Asr, Maghrib and Isha, as the shrine transforms once again into a spectacle of faith. The brief unveiling of the relic will draw tears and supplications from thousands, each whisper carrying hope, love and gratitude.
Throughout the Valley, other shrines such as Jenab Sahab Soura, Khanqah-e-Moula and Aali Masjid Eidgah will also host special prayers, sermons and night-long gatherings. Homes and mosques across Kashmir are illuminated tonight, with families offering nafil prayers, reciting Durood and seeking forgiveness. (KNO)