Eidgah Shah-i-Hamdan
| Eidgah Shah-i-Hamdan | |
|---|---|
عیدگاہ شاہ ہمدان | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Islam |
| Eidgah, Musalla | |
| Governing body | Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board |
Dedication | Mir Sayyid Ali Hamadani |
| Location | |
| Location | Eidgah, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir |
| Municipality | Srinagar |
| Country | India |
Interactive map of Eidgah Shah-i-Hamdan | |
| Coordinates | 34°06′02″N 74°47′33″E / 34.100483°N 74.792542°E |
Eidgah Shah-i-Hamdan (Kashmiri: عیدگاہ شاہ ہمدان) is a historic Eidgah (musalla) located in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India. Named in honour of Mir Sayyid Ali Hamadani,[1][2] it is a large open prayer ground traditionally used for congregational prayers on the Islamic festivals of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. The Grounds also contains Aali Mosque, Eidgah park, and Mazar-e-Shuhada within its premises.
History
The Eidgah is one of the oldest and largest congregational prayer grounds in Kashmir. According to local tradition, the site is associated with Mir Mohammad Hamadani, the son of Mir Sayyid Ali Hamadani, who is said to have dedicated the land (waqf) for public Eid prayers during the 15th century.[3] Over the centuries, the Eidgah has served as an important religious, social, and cultural space in Srinagar.
In 2023, the Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board officially named the site Eidgah Shah-i-Hamdan in honour of Mir Sayyid Ali Hamadani.[1][2] During the same ceremony, the board laid the foundation stone for a new pulpit (Minbar).[4]
Religious significance
Th Eidgah serves as a venue for large congregational prayers during Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. It has traditionally attracted worshippers from Srinagar and surrounding areas. In recent decades, authorities have repeatedly restricted or prohibited large Eid congregations at the site due to security considerations. As of 2026, congregational Eid prayers had not been permitted at the Eidgah for eight consecutive years.[5]
Livestock market
In the weeks before Eid al-Adha, the Eidgah grounds become one of the largest livestock markets in Kashmir. Traders from different parts of the region bring sheep and goats for sale, while people from Srinagar and nearby areas visit to buy animals for the festival. The market is an important part of Eid preparations and has been a long-standing local tradition.[6][7]
Features
The Eidgah prayer ground is covers approximately 650 Kanals,[8] Several notables features are located adjacent to the prayer ground within the Eidgah complex:
- Aali Mosque: situated within the premises of Eidgah Shah-i-Hamdan, towards the northern end.[9]
- Pulpit (minbar) and Niche (mihrab): the structure constructed towards the qibla, for khutbah during the Eid prayers. The structure was named after Mir Sayyid Ali Hamadani.[4]
- Mazar-e-Shuhada (Martyr's Graveyard): also known as Shaheed Malguzar is a burial ground established during the Insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir. The Mazar-e-Shuhada is situated towards the western end of the Eidgah prayer ground and contains approximately 1,000 graves of individuals.[10][3][11][12]
- Eidgah Park: located at the southern end of the prayer ground, contains a central pond and serves as a recreational area for the local residents.
Contemporary developments
Proposed cancer hospital
In 2022, the Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board proposed building a cancer hospital on a part of the Eidgah grounds. The plan led to debate among local residents, community groups, and political parties.[3]
Environmental initiatives
In 2026, the Waqf Board launched a plantation drive at Eidgah Shah-i-Hamdan as part of a broader environmental programme across Waqf-managed properties. The initiative involved the planting of trees within the Eidgah grounds and was intended to promote environmental conservation and landscape improvement.[13]
See also
References
- 1 2 "Historic Eidgah renamed after Shah-e-Hamadan". Daily Excelsior. Retrieved 2026-06-18.
- 1 2 "Srinagar Eidgah revamping and naming it after Shah-e Hamadan sends cheers in Valley". Awaz The Voice. Retrieved 2026-06-18.
- 1 2 3 Ashiq, Peerzada (2022-10-01). "J&K Waqf Board's bid to set up cancer hospital on Srinagar Eidgah ground faces opposition". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2026-06-18.
- 1 2 Network, KL News (2023-04-06). "New Pulpit At Eidgah Named After Shah-E-Hamdan (RA)". Kashmir Life. Retrieved 2026-06-18.
- ↑ "Eid prayers denied at Srinagar's Jama Masjid for 8th year in row". The Times of India. 2026-05-27. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2026-06-18.
- ↑ "Historic Eidgah Srinagar comes alive with sacrificial animals ahead of Eid-ul-Adha". risingkashmir.com. Retrieved 2026-06-18.
- ↑ Nazir, Shoaib (2026-05-26). "Inside Kashmir's Largest Sacrificial Animal Market". Kashmir Life. Retrieved 2026-06-18.
- ↑ "J-K: From nerve centre of separatism, Srinagar's Eidgah turns into symbol of change". ANI News. Retrieved 2026-06-18.
- ↑ Dewan, Parvez (2004). Parvéz Dewân's Jammû, Kashmîr, and Ladâkh. Manas Publications. p. 245. ISBN 978-81-7049-099-9.
- ↑ Bose, Sugata; Jalal, Ayesha (2020-12-29). Kashmir and the Future of South Asia. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-000-31884-5.
- ↑ "Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Says May 21 Remains a Painful Reminder of Kashmir's Darkest Day". Kashmir News Service (KNS). 21 May 2026.
- ↑ Peerzada, Arshad Hameed (2006-10-01). "Srinagar's martyr's graveyard". Himal Southasian. Retrieved 2026-06-18.
- ↑ "Dr Darakhshan begins Mega plantation drive of Waqf Board from Eidgah in Srinagar today". The Kashmir Horizon. 2026-04-06. Retrieved 2026-06-18.