Srinagar, Jan 28 (KNO): The annual observance of Mehraj-ul-Alam at the Hazratbal Shrine Tuesday not only brought thousands of devotees together but also gave a boost to local businesses and transport services in the area.
As per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the worshippers gathered to mark the sacred occasion and witness the display of the Holy Relic.
Likewise, the shopkeepers around the shrine reported an increase in sales, while transport operators witnessed a surge in demand.
Mohammad Shafi, a shopkeeper around the shrine, expressed his joy at the increase in business and said, “whenever such occasions are observed, it brings a sense of blessing for us shopkeepers as well. This year, the turnout of devotees has been extraordinary, and our sales have doubled.”
Similarly, Abdul Rashid, a vendor outside the shrine offering various items, including hardware, Islamic books, and accessories, said spiritual gatherings like these sustain their livelihood.
“People come here not just to pray but to take home something that connects them to this sacred place. The demand for religious items increases during Mehraj-ul-Alam,” he said.
Moreover, the transport sector also experienced a noteworthy rise in activity, with buses, e-rickshaws, and private vehicles ferrying devotees from different parts of the valley to the shrine.
Ghulam Hassan, an e-rickshaw driver operating on the Hazratbal route said events like these are a blessing for them. “I have made multiple trips today, and there are still people waiting for rides back home.”
Despite the winter chill, the festive atmosphere around Hazratbal Shrine turned the occasion into a vibrant gathering, benefiting both the devotees and the local economy.
Many shopkeepers expressed gratitude for the spiritual and economic activity brought by the observance of Mehraj-ul-Alam—(KNO)