Srinagar, Aug. 28 -- From the narrow lanes leading to the shrine to the main chowk, men, women, and children from across the Valley transformed Downtown Srinagar into a sea of faith. Devotees spread prayer mats across every available space and waited patiently to join the centuries-old ritual that has been a hallmark of spiritual life in Kashmir.

The massive congregation saw mothers tightly holding the hands of their children amid the crowds, while journalists and photographers climbed vehicles and rooftops to capture the sheer scale of the gathering.

For worshippers, the occasion was not only a religious duty but a deeply personal experience. Ghulam Ahmad, a resident of Srinagar who has been attending the prayer for decades, said, "For...