Srinagar, Dec 25: Christmas was celebrated with religious fervor and gaiety across Kashmir on Wednesday, as people from various parts of the country, along with tourists, gathered in churches to offer special prayers and commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ.
Churches throughout the Kashmir Valley were beautifully decorated for the occasion. Colorful lights, balloons, and bunting adorned the places of worship, creating a festive atmosphere. The largest Christmas Mass took place at the Holy Family Catholic Church on Maulana Azad Road in Srinagar, where devotees, including women and children, gathered for prayers to mark the joyous occasion.
Tourists too joined the local community in the celebrations. Priya, a tourist from Jammu, expressed her happiness about being part of the festivities. “We had a great time. It felt safe, and people here live together in harmony. We celebrated Christmas with everyone,” she said. However, she also shared her disappointment over the lack of snow, a typical feature of Christmas in Kashmir. “We always expect snow during Christmas, but this year, there has been no snowfall in Srinagar. It’s colder, and people are facing difficulties. We pray for a good snowfall,” she added.
Another tourist, Ramesh from Bengal, spoke about the true meaning of Christmas. “Christmas is all about love, hope, and sharing. We met other families here and became friends. That’s what Christmas is about – spreading joy and making connections,” he said.
Christmas prayers were also held in other churches across the valley, including in Gulmarg and Baramulla. A special prayer was offered for peace in the valley and the world. Devotees emphasized the importance of harmony in Kashmir, which has faced its share of challenges. Local resident Reshi Naseer shared, “We prayed for peace, especially in Kashmir. It is important to work towards harmony and understanding.”
In Srinagar, groups of people, including children, joined the celebrations to promote communal harmony. The exchange of sweets and wearing Santa caps were some of the gestures that helped strengthen the bonds between different communities.
Christmas celebrations in the Kashmir Valley were not limited to large gatherings. Smaller events were held in various places, showing how widespread the observance of this joyful occasion was throughout the valley.