EID UL ADHA IN KASHMIR, CELEBRATIONS AND PRACTICES

EID UL ADHA IN KASHMIR IS NOT JUST A FESTIVAL IT IS A HARTFELT TRADITION WHERE FAITH MEETS COMPASSION, AND VALLEYS ECHO WITH PRAYERS, BROTHERHOOD AND THE FRAGRANCE OF SACRIFICE among mankind.

- MUKHTAR AHMAD QURESHI

Eid Ul Adha or Bakr Eid and the Festival of Sacrifice is one of the biggest Islamic festivals celebrated by Muslims all over the world. Eid Ul Adha is celebrated with deep religious fervor, cultural diversity and high social cohesion in Kashmir. Given the very long history of Prophet Ibrahim (A.S.)'s unflinching belief in Allah, Eid Ul Adha in Kashmir is a blend of cultural, social and religious importance. It is an amalgamation of tradition, family, religion and festivities in a subdued yet potent combination that infuses everything all across the hills and valleys of this lovely land.

THE SPIRITUAL ESSENCE.

Eid Ul Adha is to remember the greatest act of obedience by Prophet Ibrahim (A.S.) when Allah commanded him to sacrifice his son Ismail (A.S.) as a show of obedience. As a reward for obedience, Allah provided him with a ram in place that he should kill. On this basis, Qurbani (sacrifice) began, which is celebrated by Muslims today all across the globe.

In Kashmir, the day opens with recitation of Takbeerat and morning congregation prayers in Eidgahs, open spaces, mosques or shrines like Hazratbal, Khankah-e-Moula and Dargah Sharif. The devotees gather in thousands, wearing clean or freshly washed clothes, heads bent in supplication and hearts brimming over with thankfulness. The sermon read during prayer usually addresses sacrifice, mercy and concord

PRE EID PREPARATIONS.