Showing posts with label largest religious congregations. Show all posts
Showing posts with label largest religious congregations. Show all posts

IJTIMA


The three-day religious congregation of Ijtima is considered among the most important events and festivals celebrated in Bhopal. This event is held every year and is accompanied by a gorgeous fair. Previously it was celebrated in the premises of the Taj- ul- Masjid but very recently the venue of this congregation has been shifted to Ghasipura, a place near the city of Bhopal.

Muslim pilgrims from various corners of India gather in Bhopal on this occasion. This event of Bhopal is probably the second largest gathering of the Muslim community in the world that does not have any political affiliation. However, Hajj is the biggest one.


During these three days a gorgeous fair is also held near the venue. The local people participate in it with much exuberance. It is said that in the earlier days, during the colonial rule in India, the fair that accompanied Ijtima of Bhopal was popular among the locals because of the clothes that were sold there. The foreign delegates used to bring many clothes along with them and sell them here at very low prices. After the advent of the media and increasing availability of good quality clothing materials in India the hype that surrounded the trade of the discarded clothes of the foreigners gradually disappeared.

Ijtima held in Bhopal is considered to be one of the largest religious congregations in the world. It carries some of the greatest spiritual messages, not only for the Muslims but also for the non- Muslims around the world.