EARLY TIMES REPORT
Jammu, Dec 9: The blessed and sacred festival of Eid-ul-Azha was celebrated with exceptional zest and fervor across the state. Despite much awaited rainfall, particularly in upper reaches of Jammu region and Kashmir Valley, the festival spirits ran high.
In Jammu big congregations were held at Talab Khatikan, B.C. Road, Ustad Mohalla, Chhani Himmat and other mosques of the city.
At Talab Khatikan Masjid, about 20,000 Muslims offered Eid Namaz who thronged from various corners of the city since early morning.
Eid-ul-Zuha symbolizes the spirit of sacrifice manifested by firm commitment and faith. The day recalls sacrifice, righteousness, human love, compassion and brotherhood. It also preaches about rich ethics of great religion of Islam to strengthen the amity and brotherhood.
Prayers followed by scenes of devotees sharing smiles and greetings of the festival, also known as Bakr-Eid, marked the festival in Jammu.
Inspector General of Police Jammu, Mr. K. Rajendra, Deputy Commissioner Jammu; Dr. Mandeep K Bhandari, SSP Jammu, Mr. Manohar Singh, SP North, Mr. Randeep Kumar, political leaders of various political parties, social organizations, senior officers of JMC, Revenue, PDD, PHE, R&B and security were present on the occasion and exchanged Eid greetings with Muslim brethren.
However, overnight rains dampened festivities of Eid-ul-Azha in the Kashmir valley on Tuesday, as wet ground forced people to keep away from Eidgah, a traditional place where special prayers are offered.
"Overnight rains flooded many parts of the city. Even the Eidgah ground was marooned. As such prayers could not be offered there today," official sources said.
A large number of people thronged local mosques and shrines in the city and rest of the Kashmir valley to offer prayers, they said.
A maximum number of almost 15,000 people offered prayers at the historic Jamia Masjid in interior Srinagar and around 8,000 at the holy Hazratbal Shrine, which houses relics of Prophet Mohammad, sources said.
Usually lakhs of people offer prayers in the Eidgahs and shrines on Eid which is celebrated by slaughtering of animals to mark the tradition of Prophet Ibrahim, who had offered sacrifice of his son Prophet Ismail for the Almighty.
The prayers passed off peacefully with no untoward incident reported from any part of the valley, the sources said.
Reports from district headqauarters said people, dressed in their best, offered prayers in Anantnag, Pulwama, Shopian, Kulgam, Baramulla, Kupwara, Bandipora, Ganderbal and Budgam. |
