Srinagar, May 14 – A sense of deep devotion and emotional warmth filled the air at the Hajj House in Srinagar as the second batch of Hajj pilgrims prepared to embark on their sacred journey to Mecca.
As the sun rose gently over the Valley, families gathered to bid heartfelt farewells to loved ones, offering prayers, blessings, and tears of both joy and hope. Amidst emotional embraces and the soft murmur of duaas, 642 pilgrims readied themselves for the journey of a lifetime.
According to the Jammu and Kashmir Haj Committee, six special flights have been arranged to facilitate their departure. This batch’s journey comes at a time of restored calm, following a pause in tensions between India and Pakistan — a moment many see as a divine blessing for the smooth passage of the faithful.
From elderly men leaning on walking sticks to young women holding Qurans close to their hearts, each pilgrim carried not just their luggage, but dreams, prayers, and the hopes of their families and communities. For many, this pilgrimage is the culmination of years of saving, spiritual preparation, and longing.
“This isn’t just a journey — it’s a transformation,” said a tearful parent seeing off their son. “We pray for their safety and for our prayers to reach the Holy Kaaba with them.”
With their hearts turned toward Mecca, the pilgrims represent not just individuals fulfilling a religious duty, but a collective spirit of peace, faith, and unity rising from the heart of Kashmir.
As the flights prepare for takeoff, the Valley watches, prays, and waits — knowing that every departure carries with it a piece of home and a soul seeking divine grace.
