Srinagar, Feb 5 (IANS) Despite rain and snow, thousands of Kashmiris Sunday celebrated the birthday of the founder of Islam, Prophet Muhammad, spending the night in mosques and shrines of the Kashmir Valley.

Hundreds of devotees offered "Durud" (Praises of the Prophet) and spent the night in prayer and penance at the Hazratbal Shrine, the holiest Muslim shrine in Jammu and Kashmir.

Situated on the banks of the Dal Lake in Srinagar city, the shrine houses the Holy Relic, the "Moi-e-Muqaddas" (A hair of the Prophet's beard).

Before and after every "Namaz", people joined in chorus to offer the Durud.

The administration had made special arrangements for the convenience of devotees. Uninterrupted electric power, safe drinking water, regulating the streams of the devotees and guiding lost children in the crowd to their parents were some of the highlights of these arrangements.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah visited the Hazratbal Shrine Saturday to supervise the arrangements. Omar also prayed for peace and development at the shrine.

The main markets in Srinagar city and other parts of the valley have been decorated with electric lightings and buntings on the occasion.

Even larger congregations of devotees are expected to offer namaz at the Hazratbal Shrine during the day.

The devotees would also have glimpses of the Holy Relic after every namaz during the day.

The celebrations will continue till Friday ("Jumatul Vida") and during all the intervening days, the "Deedar" (Glimpse of the Holy Relic) will continue after each namaz.

Specially decorated sweetmeat shops have come up around the shrine and these are doing brisk business.

"Faith knows no snow or rain. It moves the wheel of life. The great thing about such congregations is that the rich and the poor, the weak and the mighty all line up seeking the divine blessings. Islam is a great leveler," said Nazir Ahmad Mir, 43, who came to offer namaz at the shrine from north Kashmir's Ganderbal district.