Kashmir Impulse Desk

Srinagar, May 26

Eid-ul-Adha will be celebrated across Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday with special prayers, animal sacrifices and family gatherings, with thousands of worshippers expected to attend congregations at mosques, shrines and Eidgahs across the Valley.

The largest Eid congregation in Kashmir is expected at the Hazratbal shrine on the banks of Dal Lake, where thousands of devotees are likely to offer Eid prayers on Wednesday morning.

Authorities said arrangements have been put in place at major prayer venues across the Valley, while markets in Srinagar and other districts witnessed heavy rush on the eve of the festival as people shopped for essentials.

Eid-ul-Adha, observed on the 10th day of Dhul Hijjah, commemorates the devotion and sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim (AS), who, according to Islamic tradition, was prepared to sacrifice his son, Prophet Ismail (AS), in obedience to Allah’s command.

Muslims mark the festival by offering Eid prayers and sacrificing animals, with meat distributed among relatives, neighbours and the poor.

“This is one of the most important festivals for Muslims. We are preparing to offer Eid prayers at Hazratbal and later perform the sacrifice with our families,” said Asrar Ahmad, a resident of Hazratbal. “People wait for these days throughout the year as Eid also brings relatives and communities together.”

Markets including Lal Chowk, Nowhatta and Hazratbal remained crowded throughout the day as shoppers purchased bakery items, garments, dry fruits and other essentials ahead of the festival.

Temporary livestock markets set up in several districts also saw brisk activity, with buyers thronging stalls to purchase sheep and goats for sacrifice.

“There has been a huge rush since the moon sighting announcement earlier this month. Customers are continuously visiting markets to buy sacrificial animals,” said Ghulam Muhammad, an animal trader in Bijbehara. “Business has remained good this year, and families are purchasing animals according to their affordability.”

Another buyer at a Srinagar livestock market said the festival was also about community and togetherness.

“Children are excited, families are shopping, and everyone is preparing for the feast and gatherings,” Bashir Ahmad, a resident of Srinagar, said.

Grand Mufti Mufti Nasir-ul-Islam appealed to people to remember the poor and needy during Eid celebrations and urged proper sanitation during the sacrifice process.

He asked people not to dump animal waste in water bodies or public places and said proper disposal of remains should be ensured to maintain cleanliness in localities.

With weather conditions remaining pleasant across Kashmir, religious scholars said Eid prayers are expected to be offered at major Eidgahs and open grounds in accordance with the prophetic Sunnah wherever facilities are available.

In several areas of Srinagar and other districts, volunteers have been making arrangements at Eidgah grounds, including installation of loudspeaker systems, cleaning of prayer spaces, and organising entry and exit points for worshippers.

In localities where Eidgah facilities are unavailable, congregational prayers will be held in mosques and nearby open spaces within residential neighbourhoods.

Officials said special sanitation drives had been carried out around major mosques, Eidgahs and shrines, while additional manpower had been deployed to maintain cleanliness during Eid.

Authorities added that uninterrupted water and electricity supply, traffic regulation and healthcare facilities had also been arranged at key venues, including Hazratbal and other major religious sites across the Valley.