Devotees March Through Traditional Route Amidst Tight Security and Community Support
Natika Bhat
Srinagar July 04 In a powerful display of devotion and remembrance, thousands of mourners took to the streets of Srinagar in the early hours of Friday to mark the 8th day of Muharram. For the third consecutive year, the Jammu and Kashmir administration permitted the religious procession along its historically significant route—from Guru Bazar to Dalgate—restoring a decades-old tradition that had long remained suspended.
The route, once a regular feature of Muharram observances in Srinagar, had been off-limits for over 35 years following unrest in the late 1980s. Its reinstatement in 2023 was widely recognized as a step towards greater religious inclusivity and societal healing.
With massive participation expected, the administration rolled out an extensive security and traffic plan. Diversions were put in place from the early hours, with alternate routes provided through Residency Road, Hari Singh High Street, and Jehangir Chowk. Public parking facilities were made available at Gindun Park and SP College to reduce congestion.
Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Vijay Kumar Bidhuri, along with senior police officials, led several coordination meetings with representatives of the Shia community in the run-up to Muharram. Their joint efforts resulted in a smooth and disciplined procession, bolstered by hundreds of volunteers assisting with crowd management and emergency response.
To mitigate discomfort caused by rising summer temperatures, water sprinklers were deployed along the route, and makeshift hydration points were established by both officials and community groups.
Participants in the procession, known as Aazadars, marched in rows chanting elegies and performing chest-beating rituals in solemn memory of Imam Hussain (AS), the revered grandson of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), who was martyred in the Battle of Karbala over 1,300 years ago.
“It’s more than just a march; it’s a connection to our history and faith,” said Syed Faizan Abbas, a resident of Srinagar. “To walk this route once again, peacefully, is a testament to the resilience of our community and the willingness of authorities to acknowledge our rights.”
Another mourner, Rashid Hussain, expressed gratitude to the administration: “We were deprived of this spiritual journey for decades. Today, walking these streets is not just symbolic—it’s healing.”
The 8th of Muharram is part of the first ten days of the Islamic month of Muharram, which hold great significance for Muslims, especially the Shia community. These days lead up to Ashura, the 10th of Muharram, which marks the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (AS) and his 72 companions in the Battle of Karbala, Iraq.
“This is not just a ritual—it’s a reminder of sacrifice, justice, and standing against oppression,” said a young volunteer at the procession.
The lifting of the decades-long ban has rekindled hopes for continued dialogue and mutual respect between communities and the administration. The procession also forms part of a larger mourning period that culminates on the 10th of Muharram—Ashura—marking the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (AS) and his 72 companions.
The revival of the 8th Muharram procession in Srinagar signals more than just a policy shift; it marks the return of a cultural and spiritual tradition that had long been silenced, now walking again through the city’s core with dignity, discipline, and devotion.
