Amid the ‘Viksit Bharat Viksit Jammu Kashmir’ program held in Srinagar on March 7, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated several projects remotely, including a developmental initiative centered on the Hazratbal Shrine.
As per the Prime Minister’s Office statement, the ‘Integrated Development of Hazratbal Shrine’ project has resulted in the enhancement of the surrounding area of the shrine.
What is Hazratbal Shrine?
Each year, many Muslims travel to the Hazratbal shrine by Dal Lake in Kashmir. It’s a significant place because it holds a sacred relic of Prophet Mohammad called Moi-e-Muqaddas.
The Hazratbal mosque, a cherished Muslim shrine nestled by the serene Dal Lake in Jammu and Kashmir, underwent development as part of the Pilgrimage Rejuvenation And Spiritual Augmentation Drive (PRASAD).
Now, the shrine is getting some upgrades. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is in Srinagar, is starting a project to improve the Hazratbal shrine. This is part of a big plan to improve infrastructure and tourism in the Kashmir Valley, which costs around Rs 1,400 crore.
The scheme’s objective, as outlined on the Ministry of Tourism website, is to foster the growth and advancement of religious tourism in India.
According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the ‘Integrated Development of Hazratbal Shrine’ project has been undertaken to establish top-tier infrastructure and facilities for pilgrims and tourists visiting the shrine, aiming to enrich their spiritual journey.
Key aspects of the project encompass the comprehensive development of the shrine’s surroundings, including the erection of a perimeter wall. Additionally, it involves the illumination of the shrine’s premises, enhancements to the ghats and devri paths adjacent to the shrine, and the establishment of a Sufi interpretation center.
Furthermore, plans include the construction of a Tourist Facilitation Centre, installation of signage, creation of multi-level car parking facilities, construction of a public convenience block, and development of the shrine’s entrance gateway, among other initiatives, as stated in the announcement.
History!
The Hazratbal Shrine holds great reverence as it is believed to safeguard the ‘Moi-e-Muqqadas,’ which is a sacred hair from the beard of Prophet Muhammad. This relic is exhibited to the public during significant Islamic events, such as the Prophet’s birthday.
According to historical accounts, the shrine’s establishment is attributed to Inayat Begum, the daughter of Khwaja Nur-ud-Din Eshai, who was the guardian of the holy relic. Historians note that the initial construction of the shrine occurred in the 17th Century, under the patronage of Sadiq Khan, who served as the Mughal subedar during the reign of Emperor Shah Jahan.
In 1634, the shrine transformed into a prayer hall. The construction of the current shrine, characterized by a white marble structure topped with a dome, commenced in 1968. Eleven years later, in 1979, this construction was finished, according to information on the J&K Tourism Development Corporation website.
The project was overseen by the Auqaf Trust Kashmir, led by Sheikh Abdullah, who was the prime minister of Jammu and Kashmir at the time. Sheikh Abdullah is also the grandfather of Omar Abdullah, a former chief minister and a leader of the National Conference party.
