One of the projects that Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated during his 'Viksit Bharat Viksit Jammu Kashmir' program in Srinagar on March 7 was a Hazratbal Shrine development project.
As part of the 'Integrated Development of Hazratbal Shrine' project implemented according to a statement from the Prime Minister's Office, the area around the shrine has been developed.
The project
Located on the banks of the picturesque Dal Lake, the Hazratbal Mosque, one of the most revered Muslim shrines in Jammu and Kashmir, was developed under the Pilgrimage Rejuvenation And Spiritual Augmentation Drive (PRASAD).
Launched by the Ministry of Tourism in 2014-15, PRASAD is a program aimed at developing and identifying pilgrimage sites across India to enrich the religious tourism experience. The idea behind the plan is to pave the way for the development and promotion of religious tourism in India, according to the Ministry of Tourism website.
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To create world-class infrastructure and facilities for pilgrims and tourists visiting the Hazratbal Shrine, and to enhance their holistic spiritual experience, the 'Integrated Development of Hazratbal Shrine' project has been implemented, the PMO statement said.
The main components of the project include the site development of the entire area, including the construction of a boundary wall of the shrine. It also includes illumination of the shrine premises, improvement of ghats and devri paths around the shrine and construction of a Sufi interpretation centre. Construction of a tourism facilitation center, installation of signage, multi-level parking and construction of a public amenities block and a gateway to the shrine, among others, are also planned, the statement said.
The meaning
The Hazratbal shrine is revered as it is believed to preserve 'Moi-e-Muqqadas' – the sacred hair from Prophet Muhammad's beard. The relic is displayed for the public on important Islamic occasions, such as the birthday of Prophet Muhammad, the last prophet.
The shrine is said to have been founded by Inayat Begum, the daughter of Khwaja Nur-ud-Din Eshai, the custodian of the holy relic. According to historians, the first building was built in the 17th century by Sadiq Khan, the Mughal subedar during the reign of Emperor Shah Jahan.
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The shrine was converted into a prayer room in 1634. Construction of the current shrine, comprising the white marble building with a dome, began in 1968 and was completed 11 years later in 1979, according to the J&K Tourism Development Corporation website. The project was completed under the auspices of Auqaf Trust Kashmir, headed by the then Prime Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Sheikh Abdullah, grandfather of former Prime Minister and National Conference leader Omar Abdullah.
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Published: Mar 7, 2024 5:07 PM IST