Over 4 Million Pilgrims Visit Mashhad on First Days of Nowruz

TEHRAN (IQNA) – Nearly 4.3 million pilgrims from all over Iran as well as other countries visited Mashhad over the past few days as Iranians celebrate Nowruz, an official said.

Hojat-ol-Islam Hojjat Gonabadinejad, the cultural, social and pilgrimage deputy of Khorasan Razavi province’s governor, said different organizations including the Municipality of Mashhad, the transportation committee, and Ministry of Road and Urban Development have made preparations to provide services to the large number of pilgrims.

He added that with the arrival of the holy month of Ramadan, most pilgrims are expected to return to their cities after visiting the holy shrine of Imam Reza (AS).

Earlier this month, Mohsen Davari, the governor of Mashhad, said that a central headquarters had been set up to coordinate efforts to serve the pilgrims.

All of the pilgrims would be welcomed at the points of entry whether they are traveling by land, by air or by train, he said.

The official added that supervision of hotels and accommodation center have been intensified to make sure they would provide proper services.

Mashhad is home to the shrine of Imam Reza (AS), the 8th Shia Imam. It is one of the most extensively visited pilgrimage centers in the world.

Tens of millions of pilgrims from Iran and other countries visit the holy city every year.

It is one of the most favorite destinations for Iranians during the Nowruz holidays that mark the beginning of the Persian New Year.

4129477