subject: Kashmir celebrates festival of lights ‘Diwali' [print this page] Kashmir celebrates festival of lights Diwali'
Sheikh Imran Bashir
Agence India Press
Srinagar: Diwali, the festival of lights, was being celebrated Friday across Jammu and Kashmir along with other states with traditional enthusiasm and religious fervor.
Hindus and Sikhs celebrated Diwali, one of the major festivals in Hindu calendar, with all the festivity and had their houses decorated and painted in advance as part of the preparation of this festival. Earthen oils lamps lightened Hindu houses in Kashmir.
The festival is usually marked with the buying of a new home, a new car and clothes.
Kashmiri Pandits and Sikhs in Kashmir celebrated the festival with piety as they wore new clothes, illuminated their houses and visited temples.
Jammuites celebrated the day with more fervor as special prayers were organized in the temples that were decorated and illuminated with electric bulbs and buntings.
Manoj Bhat, a devotee told Agence India Press that this was a joyful moment for Hindus across the world.
"We will pray for the return of peace in the Kashmir," he said.
The buzz could be seen on the markets as well with people thronging all the major markets to buy gifts for friends and relatives.
Not only common man celebrated Diwali, Indian soldiers and paramilitary forces posted in Kashmir celebrated the day by bursting crackers and having candles lit inside their bunkers and camps.
"We purchased earthen lamps, candles and electric accessories for illuminating our homes and business establishments, said Kavita Sharma another Hindu devotee.
For children it was a day of merry making.
"My both received cash from their father to buy gifts and toys today," said Sumita Kotwal.
The day marked an official holiday in the state coupled with no strike as chairman Hurriyat (g) Syed Ali Shah Geelani had exempted the day from the purview of strikes after a Sikh group had appealed him to review his protest calendar.
However, some parts of Srinagar city were placed under curfew on Friday as a precautionary measure even as normal activity was reported from other parts of Kashmir on Diwali day.
Curfew was imposed in areas falling under the jurisdiction of police stations Nowhatta, Rainawari, Khanyar, Maharajgunj, Safakadal, Maisuma and Kralkhud, a police spokesman said.
He said it was done as a precautionary measure, apprehending protests after Friday prayers.
Police divisions of Bemina and Qamarwari have also been placed under curfew, though Chattipadshahi area in Rainawari police station has been exempted from the restrictions to allow the Sikhs to celebrate Diwali.
The festival is being celebrated in the memory of Hindu God Lord Rama's homecoming after completing 14 years in exile in the forest and his victory over demon king Ravana.
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