News Reporting by Daanish Mohiuddin

Photography by Aasif Bashir

Srinagar, June 24

Thousands of Shia Muslims participated in the traditional 8th Muharram procession in Srinagar on Wednesday, marking the third consecutive year that the religious event has been allowed to follow its historic route after authorities lifted a ban that had remained in place for more than three decades.

The procession began at Guru Bazar in the city centre and moved through Budshah Kadal and M A Road before heading towards Dalgate, drawing mourners from across Kashmir who gathered to commemorate Imam Hussain and his companions martyred in the Battle of Karbala.

Participants recited elegies and nohas as they marched through the streets, while groups of mourners performed traditional matam, striking their chests in a symbolic expression of grief and solidarity with the sacrifices made at Karbala in 680 CE.

Men, women, and children joined the procession in large numbers, with many travelling from distant districts to take part in one of the most significant events in the Shia religious calendar.

“We had waited for years to witness this procession return to its traditional route,” said a mourner from Srinagar. “For us, it is not only a religious obligation but also a deeply emotional connection to our history, identity and heritage.”

Another participant said the gathering reflected the community’s enduring attachment to the values associated with Imam Hussain (AS)’s struggle.

“The message of Karbala remains relevant across generations. It represents sacrifice, truth and resistance against oppression, and people come here every year to reaffirm those ideals,” he said.

The 8th Muharram procession, historically one of the largest religious gatherings in Kashmir, had been barred from passing through its traditional route since the late 1980s due to security concerns.

Authorities restored permission for the procession in 2023, ending a restriction that had lasted for more than 30 years.

Since its revival, the event has witnessed growing participation, with thousands of mourners assembling annually to observe the ritual in Srinagar’s downtown and commercial areas.

Authorities deployed extensive security personnel along the route and imposed traffic diversions to facilitate the movement of the procession.

Medical teams, emergency services and civil administration officials were stationed at various points, while volunteers from religious organisations assisted participants and helped manage the crowds.

Officials said arrangements had been put in place to ensure the smooth conduct of the procession, including drinking water facilities, first-aid stations and traffic regulation measures.

As the procession advanced towards Dalgate, mourners continued to chant religious slogans and recite tributes to Imam Hussain (AS), transforming parts of the city into a sea of black-clad devotees observing one of the most important days of the mourning period leading up to Ashura.

The procession was expected to conclude later in the day without disruption, officials and organisers said.