Hazratbal shrine development project to be inaugurated by PM Modi: What you need to know

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir today, where he will launch the integrated development project of Hazratbal shrine, marking his first trip to the Valley since the revocation of Article 370.

He will take part in the 'Viksit Bharat Viksit Jammu Kashmir' programme at Bakshi stadium, where he will also inaugurate several other projects under the Swadesh Darshan and PRASHAD (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation And Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive) scheme.

Here is what you need to know about the shrine:

The sanctity of Hazratbal Shrine

The Hazratbal shrine, situated on the left bank of the beautiful Dal Lake, is revered by Muslims as it is believed to house 'Moi-e-Muqqadas' – a hair from Prophet Muhammad's beard.

The building of the shrine started in 1968, under the supervision of Muslim Auqaf Trust’s Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, and the white marble structure with a dome was finished in the year 1979, according to the J&K Tourism Development Corporation website.

The mosque is also known as Assar-e-Sharief, Dargah Sharif and Madinat-us-Sani, and is considered as a symbol of love and devotion for the Prophet.

The shrine attracts locals during Friday prayers, and draws visitors on special religious occasions, when holy relics are shown, the website added.

Brief history of the site

The site has a history dating back to the 17th century, when the shrine was a palace and a garden, built in 1623 by Shah Jahan’s subedar Sadiq Khan.

When he arrived in 1634, Shah Jahan ordered to transform the palace into a place for worship. When Moi-e-Muqqadas reached Kashmir in 1699, it was stored in the Naqashbad Sahib for a while, before being moved to the Hazratbal.

PM to launch other projects in the Valley

PM will launch various projects related to the tourism sector worth more than Rs 1,400 crore, including the ski drag lift at Sonamarg in Ganderbal district. He will also kick off projects such as the development of tourism facilities in Northeast circuit in Meghalaya; Spiritual Circuit in Bihar and Rajasthan; Rural and Tirthankar Circuit in Bihar; development of Jogulamba Devi Temple, Jogulamba Gadwal District, Telangana; and development of Amarkantak Temple, Annupur District, Madhya Pradesh.

He will also declare tourist destinations chosen under Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD) Scheme. Moreover, the Prime Minister will hand out appointment orders to about 1,000 new Government recruits of Jammu and Kashmir, an official press release said.