Janmashtami celebrated with religious fervour

Srinagar, Aug 26: Janmashtami was celebrated with religious fervour across Kashmir while main procession was taken out in historic Lal Chowk here.

Scores of devotees from Hindu community took part in the celebrations in Lal Chowk. Temples across Kashmir were decorated, and special prayer meetings were held to mark the day.

Devotees, including children, donned colorful clothes as they took part in Janmashtami procession, also called Shoba Yatra, to celebrate the festival on Monday. The festival is one of the major celebrations of the Hindu community to mark the birthday of Lord Krishna.

Jagdish Bhardwaj, who works as the caretaker across various temples in Srinagar, said that the event was celebrated with religious enthusiasm, and people beyond the Hindu community participated and wished them on the day.

“This is an important festival celebrated by Hindus across Kashmir. We held special prayers at the Temple in Habba Kadal. This is where we took out Shoba Yatra via different parts of the City including Lal-Chowk. This festival marks the birthday of Lord Krishna and this is the day to remember his teachings and spread message of love and brotherhood. This festival also teaches us how truth always prevails over falsehood. On this day our Muslim brothers participated and wished us. We prayed for the peace and prosperity of whole Kashmir,” Bharadwaj said

Bhardwaj said that many senior officials from the administration and local politicians extended their wishes. He said the administration and police provided all the necessary support to us on the day.

In addition to members from Kashmiri Pandit community, tourists and students from other states who study in Kashmir participated in the festivities. Many of these tourists were seen clicking pictures and greeting each other on the occasion.  

“Celebrating the festival at such a beautiful place is such a great feeling. We are glad to see people from non-Hindu communities are supportive and greeting each other. This reflects the good nature and sense of brotherhood of this place. We had come here on a visit as tourists, and now this festival added to our happiness,” said a devotee.

The administrators at the Habba Kadal Temple, from where the Shoba yatra was taken, said that they had prepared for the occasion for days, and with the support of the administration and other communities, everything was done smoothly.