Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU/SRINAGAR, Dec 25: The Christian community in Jammu and Kashmir observed Christmas with great enthusiasm today, as devotees of all ages, including children, participated in special prayers.
Churches were beautifully adorned with vibrant bunting, festive lights, and balloons, creating a celebratory atmosphere.
In Jammu, the largest Mass took place at St Mary’s Garrison Church in Gandhi Nagar, where a substantial crowd, including numerous women and children, gathered to honor the birth of Jesus Christ and engage in special prayers.
Individuals from other faiths also joined in the celebration, exchanging warm greetings with the Christian community. The presence of Santa Claus was particularly delightful for the children.
In Kashmir, the main Mass was celebrated at the Holy Family Catholic Church on Maulana Azad Road, Srinagar, where local Christians gathered for special prayers alongside a few visiting tourists.
“We felt joyous and had a wonderful time. There’s no fear, people coexist in harmony, and we celebrated Christmas together,” said Poonam, a tourist from Jammu.
Though she expressed disappointment over the absence of a white Christmas in Srinagar — where snowfall has not yet occurred this season — she wished for a good snowfall in the Valley.
“It’s colder now. Kashmir traditionally enjoys a white Christmas, which is wonderful, but this year we haven’t seen any snowfall in Srinagar, and people are facing challenges. We pray for ample snowfall,” she remarked.
Another tourist, Pun Mudhiraj from Bengaluru, who was visiting the Valley with his wife and three kids, shared that Christmas embodies a spirit of hope, love, joy, and sharing. “We met three other families here; we were strangers initially, but we formed friendships. That’s the true spirit of Christmas celebrations. We felt very welcomed here,” he said.
Christmas festivities also took place in various churches across Jammu and Kashmir.
Christmas trees and sparkling lights decorated numerous venues, while many hotels and restaurants hosted special Christmas meals, drawing families and tourists to partake in the festivities.
In Gulmarg, a significant number of Christians gathered for prayers, with participants expressing their joy, stating that the area’s natural beauty added magic to the Christmas celebrations.
The event was attended by the Director of Tourism Kashmir, Raja Yaqoob, who emphasized the role of such festivities in fostering cultural inclusivity in the region.
“The prayer gathering occurs here every year. We decorate churches to enhance their appeal. Our goal is to showcase that Kashmir is a tolerant society where all festivals are celebrated in unity,” he noted.
He also mentioned a notable rise in foreign tourist arrivals in Kashmir, stating, “Last year, we welcomed 36,000 foreign tourists. By December 20 this year, we have already greeted 43,000. This growth shows a positive trend in foreign tourist interest.”
In the Gurez Valley, the Indian Army also organized a festive celebration. Children from border villages braved the severe cold of Chilla Kalan to join soldiers in the Bagtore sector for the festivities.
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