Hazratbal in the Collective Memory, Three Decades On

On the lakeside lawns, people still tell the story in quiet voices. They talk about the month when armed men entered Hazratbal, the shrine that holds the Prophet’s relic, and how the city held its breath. They remember curfews, long walks to buy bread, and the fear that a sacred place might be harmed. What they remember most is that the shrine stood untouched in the end and how close things came to breaking.

Oral histories shape the way the event lives on. Elderly shrine-goers recall the hush during the festival “deedar,” when thousands gather for a glimpse of the relic. Shopkeepers near Dal Lake speak of shuttered days and thin earnings. Mothers remember keeping lamps on at night so children felt safe.

Marking the date

Anniversaries are quiet but steady. In October and November, famili