Eid-ul-Adha Celebrations Today
Festive Fervour Grips Kashmir as Hazratbal decks up for Massive¹ Eid Gathering
Markets abuzz with festive hustle, shoppers and livestock buyers add vibrancy to Eid celebrations across Valley
Srinagar: Eid-ul-Adha is being celebrated across Jammu & Kashmir today with great religious fervour and festive enthusiasm as lakhs of people gathered at shrines, mosques and Eidgahs for special prayers amid an atmosphere marked by devotion, celebration and traditional warmth.
The largest congregation will be witnessed at the revered Hazratbal Shrine, where thousands of worshippers assembled from early morning to offer Eid prayers. Emotional scenes unfolded as devotees prayed for peace, prosperity and communal harmony in Jammu & Kashmir and the country.
Major Eid congregations will be also witnessed at several shrines and Eidgahs across Srinagar and other districts of the Valley. Religious scholars highlighted the importance of sacrifice, charity and compassion associated with Eid-ul-Adha, commemorating the devotion of Prophet Ibrahim (AS).
The festive mood was visible across Kashmir since early morning as people wearing traditional attire visited mosques and later exchanged greetings with relatives and friends. Children carrying balloons and wearing new clothes added colour and excitement to the celebrations.
Markets across Srinagar and other towns had remained abuzz with hustle and bustle till late last evening as thousands of shoppers thronged commercial centres for Eid purchases. Major markets including Lal Chowk, Residency Road, Maharaj Gunj, GoniKhan, Nowhatta and downtown Srinagar witnessed heavy rush as people bought bakery items, garments, spices, dry fruits and household essentials.
“I came with my family for Eid shopping and the markets are overflowing with people. There is excitement everywhere and children are especially enjoying the festive atmosphere,” said Aijaz Ahmad, a shopper at Lal Chowk.
Another shopper, Shaista Begum from downtown Srinagar, said Eid shopping had become more expensive this year but the spirit of the festival remained strong. “Despite rising prices, people are purchasing whatever they can for their families because Eid is a special occasion,” she said.
Bakery shops and traditional food outlets witnessed huge footfall as customers purchased Kashmiri breads and festive delicacies. Garment stores and tailoring shops worked till late night to complete pending orders ahead of Eid.
Livestock markets also witnessed brisk business with thousands of sheep, goats and cattle sold for Qurbani. Temporary animal markets remained packed with buyers inspecting sacrificial animals amid intense bargaining and festive excitement.
“We visited several markets before purchasing a sheep for Qurbani. Prices are high this year, but sacrifice is an important part of Eid-ul-Adha,” said Mohammad Yousuf, a resident of Budgam.
Another buyer, Tariq Ahmad from Pulwama, said purchasing sacrificial animals was not merely a ritual but a spiritual responsibility. “People wait for this occasion throughout the year. The markets remained crowded till late evening because everyone wanted to complete preparations before Eid prayers,” he said.
Soon after Eid prayers today, people across Kashmir performed Qurbani in accordance with Islamic traditions. Meat from sacrificial animals was distributed among relatives, neighbours and underprivileged families, reflecting the values of sharing and compassion central to the festival.
Authorities had made elaborate arrangements for smooth celebrations. Traffic police personnel were deployed at key locations to regulate movement while municipal bodies carried out sanitation and waste management operations across major towns and cities.
Many families also visited graveyards to offer prayers for departed relatives, a tradition deeply associated with Eid in Kashmir.
As celebrations continue across the Valley, Eid-ul-Adha once again reflected the spirit of sacrifice, faith, brotherhood and communal harmony that defines the sacred festival.
