Janmashtami celebrated with religious fervour in Srinagar

Srinagar, Aug 16: Janmashtami was celebrated with religious fervour in the summer capital as hundreds of devotees participated in Shobha Yatra in the city centre areas.

Temples in the city were decorated with lights and flowers, and chants in praise of Lord Krishna. The highlight of the occasion was the Shoba Yatra, taken out from the historic Habba Kadal temple. The yatra passed through Lal Chowk, drawing hundreds of devotees.

During the festival, children were seen dressed in vibrant costumes depicting characters from Lord Krishna’s life. Devotees sang hymns and distributed sweets among the gathering. To mention, the festival is observed annually to commemorate the birth of Lord Krishna. The festival witnesses participation not only from Kashmiri Pandits but also from people of other faiths, who extended greetings on the occasion.

“Janmashtami is not just a festival for us; it is a reminder of Lord Krishna’s message of peace, compassion, and the victory of truth over deceit. Like every year we were heartened to see people from different communities joining us, exchanging greetings, and walking alongside in the procession. This spirit of togetherness is what we pray for in Kashmir every day” said Jagdish Bhardwaj, member of ISKCON.

The devotees said that the celebrations were supported by the district administration and police, who made elaborate arrangements to  ensure smooth conduct of the yatra. Senior officials and local public representatives also paid visits to temples and conveyed their wishes.