Diwali Celebrated Across Jammu And Kashmir

Srinagar- Diwali in Kashmir was celebrated with love and brotherhood on Thursday, as sweet shops and markets in Srinagar witnessed a good rush, with people from Hindu and Sikh community were busy in shopping and lighting their houses.

According to a local news agency Muslims in Kashmir greeted and celebrated Diwali with the minority communities.

“This festival brings peace and prosperity, may almighty bring happiness in our lives too, and bring unity among us. Current politics is trying to create a rift in our brotherhood but we wish peace and unity in Kashmir,” he said.

“I want to give a message to all those politicians who are trying to create a rift in between our brotherhood in the name of religion and politics, now that time has passed, we all are one, we celebrate Eid with our Hindu brothers and they celebrate Diwali with us,” he said.

A Kashmiri Pandit from Baramulla said that Hindus and Muslims have been living in harmony in Kashmir for decades.

“We always back each other. I wish that it will remain like this forever. We were celebrating every festival together. I pray this kind of brotherhood will remain as it is,” he said.

A Pujari from Hanuman Mandir Aamira Kadal HSHS said that on this occasion of Deepawali they are going to have Puja of Baghwati Mahalaksmi and will light up the Mandir with Deepak (clay lamps).

“We will also share sweets and will pray for peace, health, wealth and prosperity for all Kashmiris irrespective of their religious belief,” he said.

In the Jammu region, temples and neighbourhoods across the city were illuminated with clay lamps and string lights and firecrackers were burst as soon as the sun set.

The directions of the Jammu and Kashmir Pollution Control Committee (PCC) on disallowing the bursting of non-green crackers and the limitations on bursting “green” crackers for just two hours between 8pm and 10pm were sparsely followed.

There was a huge rush of devotees to the temples.

Army and other security personnels also observed diwali with enthusiasm at their locations along the border with candle lights and diyas at various places. As a peace gesture, both India and Pakistan on Thursday exchanged sweets and greet each other on the auspicious occasion of Diwali.

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha also extended greetings to the public. ”May this joyous occasion bring joy, happiness, peace and prosperity to the people,” he said. “It is a celebration of the triumph of light over darkness and of hope over despair. The festival celebrates the victory of good over evil and reflects the true spirit of our composite culture.”