Srinagar: Senior Congress leader and Member of Parliament (MP) on Tuesday paid obeisance at Mata Khirbhawani temple and prayed at Hazratbal shrine in the central Kashmir districts of Ganderbal and Srinagar.
He also visited shrine of Hazrat Peer Hyder Baba at Ganderbal, where he was accompanied by former leader of the opposition in the Upper House Ghulam Nabi Azad.
Mr Rahul, who arrived here on Monday afternoon on a two-day visit to Kashmir valley, attended marriage ceremony of Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president Ghulam Ahmad Mir, where Lt Governor Manoj Sinha, former Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah and leaders of different political parties were also present.
This morning as per schedule, former Congress president Rahul arrived at Khirbhawani temple, Tulmulla, one of the holiest shrine of Kashmiri pundits in the valley, around 0830 hrs under heavy security arrangement from Srinagar.
He joined the special puja in the shrine, where it is said that spring changes colours as per situation in the valley.
Mr Rahul remained in the temple for some time before leaving for the shrine of Hazrat Peer Hyder Baba on foot. It was tough time for the security personnel as large number of locals also joined Congress leaders on the way.
Locals said whenever the Congress leader is visiting Mata Khirbhawani temple, he also prays at the shrine.
Later, Mr Rahul accompanied by Mr Azad paid obeisance at Aasar-e-Sharief shrine at Hazratbal on the bank of Dal Lake. The Hazratbal shrine houses the Holy Relic of Prophet Muhammad.
However, he did not speak to media persons who were waiting outside at Ganderbal and Hazratbal shrine.
This was the first visit of Mr Rahul after August 5, 2019 when centre abrogated Article 370, 35 A of Indian constitution and divided the Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories (UT). However, he and other opposition party leaders were went back to Delhi after landing at Srinagar International Airport after special status of the J&K was withdrawn.
Talking to reports Mr Azad said it was after two year he was visiting Kashmir valley. I could not leave because of COVID-19, he said.
In reply to a question senior Congress leader said restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir should follow Assembly elections.
We want statehood first and later elections, he said adding we also demand safeguard of our land and employment.
Rahul pays obeisance at Mata Khirbhawani, visits Hazratbal
