Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU/SRINAGAR, Dec 25: Christian community in Jammu and Kashmir celebrated Christmas with religious fervour today as the devotees of all age group, including children, held special prayers.
The churches were decked up and decorated with colourful bunting, lights and balloons, and wore festive look.
In Jammu, the biggest Mass was held at the St Mary’s Garrison Church in Gandhi Nagar where a large number of people, including women and children, assembled to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and held special prayers.
People from other faith also joined the Christian community in celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ and exchanged greetings. Santa Claus was special attraction for the children.
In Kashmir, the biggest Mass was held at the Holy Family Catholic Church at Maulana Azad Road, Srinagar, where members of the Christian community held special prayers. Among the believers were a few tourists who joined the locals on the auspicious day.
“We felt good, we enjoyed a lot. There is no danger, people live together with brotherhood and we celebrated Christmas,” Poonam, a tourist from Jammu, said.
While she lamented the absence of a white Christmas in Srinagar — as the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir has had no snowfall so far this season — she prayed for a good snowfall in the Valley.
“It is colder. Kashmir used to have white Christmas and it was great, but this year, there has been no snowfall in Srinagar and people are facing difficulties. We pray for a good snowfall,” she added.
Another tourist, Pun Mudhiraj, a resident of Bengaluru, visiting the Valley with his wife and three children, said Christmas is a season of hope, love, joy, caring and sharing. “We met three other families here, we were strangers, but we became friends. That is the essence of Christmas celebrations. We felt good here,” he said.
Christmas celebrations were also held in other churches of Jammu and Kashmir.
Christmas trees and twinkling lights adorned various locations, while several hotels and restaurants organized special Christmas feasts, attracting families and tourists to join the celebrations.
In Gulmarg, where many members of the Christian community attended prayers, participants expressed their delight, noting that the scenic beauty of Gulmarg made the Christmas celebrations even more special.
The event was also attended by the Director of Tourism Kashmir, Raja Yaqoob, who highlighted the importance of such celebrations in promoting the region’s cultural inclusivity.
“The prayer meeting was held here just like every year. On this occasion, we decorate churches to make them more attractive. The aim is to show the world that Kashmir is a tolerant society where all festivals are celebrated,” he said.
He also noted a significant increase in foreign tourist arrivals in Kashmir. “Last year, we had 36,000 foreign tourists visiting here. However, this year, by December 20, we have already welcomed 43,000 foreign tourists. This indicates that foreign tourist footfall is steadily picking up.”
Meanwhile, in Gurez Valley, the Indian Army organized a Christmas celebration. Children from border villages braved the biting cold of Chilla Kalan to join soldiers in the Bagtore sector for the festivities.
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