Karnataka religious group organises special pooja at Clock Tower; Scores of Tourists participate in event, express joy
TDD Special Correspondent
Srinagar, (TDD): In the heart of Srinagar’s Lal Chowk, right at the famous clock tower (Ghanta Ghar), hundreds of earthen lamps were lit to mark the festival of lights—Diwali. The Lal Chowk reverberated with Hanuman Chalisa and other religious hymns amid thick smoke cover of joss sticks.
Entire Lal Chowk was lit up with lights to mark the special occasion. The special pooja and Hanuman Chalisa was organised by the Shri Sant Govindananda Sarawati Ji and his followers from Kishikinda District Vijaynagar, Karnataka.
Over 1000 earthen lamps were lit at the clock tower. “It is indeed a pleasure and a great opportunity to celebrate the Diwali festival in Srinagar’s heart called Lal Chowk,” said a participant from Karnataka. He said that Srinagar is full of spirituality of all religions and seeing people from Muslim community among them gives an immense pleasure to celebrate the Diwali here.
“People of Kashmir are very cooperative and helpful. Hospitality is supreme and brotherhood and communal harmony depicts from their faces,” said another participant from Karnataka.
The Srinagar administration had lit up the clock tower with tri-colour lights and the city centre presented a festive look. Many shopkeepers also watched the lighting of Diyas (lamps) and interacted with the group from Karnataka. The shopkeepers also exchanged greetings with the religious group from Karnataka on the occasion of Diwali.
Scores of tourists also gathered at the clock tower to participate in the special pooja and Diwali celebrations. Many were seen lighting up the Diyas, an age-old tradition seen on the occasion of Diwali. Anjali, a tourist from Pune, said that it was a rare moment for her as she celebrated Diwali in Srinagar’s heart Lal Chowk. “People of Kashmir are friendly. Today I feel delighted. I had never thought Diwali would be colourful in Kashmir like this. I lit up a dozen lamps and prayed to see my wishes getting fulfilled,” she beamed.
Deepak, another tourist from Punjab, said that he is happy to see Diwali being celebrated in a big way in Srinagar’s Lal Chowk. “We had heard a lot about Lal Chowk but today we are part of rare celebrations. This indeed gives a spiritual feeling. We have seen there are temples in Srinagar and mosques and shrines as well. A rare place where we enjoy composite culture,” he said.
Many tourists from various parts of the country were seen lighting up the Diyas and making wishes as well—(TDD)
