Christmas celebrated with religious fervour in J&K

Srinagar, Dec 25: Christmas was celebrated with religious fervour and festivity across Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday amid special prayers for peace and prosperity of the people.

Prayers were held in decorated churches in the morning, with tourists and locals joining the festivities amid an atmosphere of joy and harmony.

Carols echoed through the prayer halls of churches as members of the Christian community joined the global celebrations to mark the birth of Jesus Christ.

At the Holy Family Catholic Church on Maulana Azad Road, there was an atmosphere of celebration. Locals, tourists, and members of the Christian community gathered in large numbers, joining morning prayers amid joyful hymns. The church premises buzzed with activity as people greeted each other, clicked photographs, and recorded short videos, making every moment count.

Many tourists visiting Kashmir during the festive season also joined the celebrations. A tourist from Delhi said it was his first Christmas in Kashmir and the experience had been unforgettable. “I was amazed by the warmth and peace here. The church is beautiful, and the atmosphere is so calm and happy. What surprised me the most was seeing people from every community visiting the church and celebrating together,” he said.

Devotees said they arrived early in the morning to offer prayers and listen to the message delivered by the priest. “We prayed together and were reminded of the teachings of Jesus Christ, especially love, compassion, and forgiveness. It fills the heart with peace,” a devotee said.

Father John Paul of Holy Family Catholic Church said Christmas was a time for self-reflection and strengthening the spirit of brotherhood. “This is the right time to look inside ourselves and reconnect with our roots. In an age of artificial intelligence and artificial living, we should not lose the human touch,” he said. He expressed happiness with the participation of people from different communities, including Muslims, in the celebrations.

“The faiths of Muslims and Christians are interconnected, and our goal is the same, which is to serve humanity,” he said, praying for peace and prosperity in Kashmir.

Festivities were not limited to Srinagar alone. Gulmarg, the famed hill station in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, also witnessed vibrant celebrations at Saint Mary’s Church, with tourists and locals joining prayers against the backdrop of snow. Christmas celebrations were also held at other churches across Jammu.

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday extended greetings to the Christian community in J&K, praying that the spirit of Christmas encourages people to help those in need and bring peace, prosperity and happiness to all.

Meanwhile, officials from Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Development Corporation said a series of festive events had been lined up for Christmas and New Year celebrations.

“Tourist footfall has been increasing steadily since the recent snowfall. Several events are in the queue, which will further enhance the experience of visitors,” an official said.

Small festive events, including Christmas Kehwa gatherings, were organised near Mughal Gardens and other parts of Srinagar, adding to the celebratory mood. Markets across the city also reflected the festive spirit, with traders dealing in Christmas decorations, papier-mache items, and gift articles reporting a rise in business. Meanwhile, the administration had made the necessary arrangements to ensure smooth Christmas celebrations across the Union Territory.