Janmashtami celebrations in Srinagar; Pandits take out Shobha Yatra amid tight security

MASROOR AHMAD

SRINAGAR: Kashmiri Pandits celebrated ‘Janmashtami” birthday of Lord Krishna ,with religious fervour in Srinagar on Thursday and took a Shobha Yatra. Men and women were seen dancing and showering flowers .
The Yatra with a group of children dressed in traditional attire on a “Jhanki” was taken out from Kathleshwar Temple in Tankipora area in Srinagar and passed through the roads of Habbakadal, Ganpathyar, Barbar Shah, Regal Chowk, Lal Chowk, Hari Singh High Street and Jahangir Chowk, amid tight security arrangements.
Chanting religious hymns, a good number of Kashmiri Pandits accompanied the yatra that passed off peacefully. Security forces were deployed at various points in strength as a precautionary measure, an official said.
In Srinagar city ,temples were adorned with lights and buntings at Sheetal Nath temple Ganpatyar Habbakadal and other Temples were decorated and members of Kashmiri Pandits including women and children were seen visiting temples since morning to join special prayers.
President of the Hindu Welfare Society of Kashmir, Chunni Lal on the occasion prayed for the peace and prosperity of the whole humanity. He said the traditional brotherhood amity among the people of Kashmir valley may flourish for centuries peacefully.Kashmiri is known for brotherhood across the world and still we are loving each other and caring religious sentiments, he said.
Kashmiri Pandits, a majority of whom migrated outside Jammu and Kashmir in the 1990s in the face of raging unrest are now gaining the path which they left decades before.
Today Muslims were seen participating by showering flowers and providing every assistance in the smooth conduct of procession by the Kashmiri Pandit community.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has extended his heartiest greetings on the auspicious occasion of Janmashtami.
“Greetings and good wishes to everyone on the auspicious occasion of Janmashtami. May the festival inspire us towards the goal of Viksit Jammu Kashmir and herald peace & prosperity for all”, the Lieutenant Governor said in a message on X.
Several political leader including ,NC President Dr Farooq Abdullah ,Vice President Omer Abdullah, PDP Patron Mehbooba Mufti and other leaders extended warm greetings to all those celebrating the joyous occasion of Krishan Janmashtami.