Christmas is being celebrated today in Kashmir with enthusiasm and religious fervour as 'Mass' and special prayers were held in churches across the Valley.
The biggest 'Mass' in the Valley was held at Holy Family Catholic Church at Maulana Azad Road in the heart of Srinagar city, where hundreds of Christians assembled to celebrate the birthday of Jesus Christ.
We prayed for world peace and especially for peace in Kashmir. We wish peace to every brother and sister. God loves everyone and that love is shown by humans too by celebrating together, greeting each other and giving gifts, said Father Roy Mathews, the priest at Holy Family Catholic Church.
Similar prayers were held at Saint Luke's Church and All Saints' Church in the city, Saint Joseph's Church in north Kashmir's Baramulla, the oldest Catholic Church in Jammu and Kashmir and the church in the tourist resort of Gulmarg.
Tourists from different parts of the country and world also joined the locals on this auspicious day and prayed for world peace and brotherhood.
However, people missed 'White Christmas' as there was no snowfall in the Valley.
"I am a little disappointed that there is no snowfall today. We would have loved the snow as it adds more beauty and blessings to the festival," a tourist said.
Jammu and Kashmir Governor N N Vohra, Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti had greeted people on the eve of Christmas and expressed hope that the occasion would be harbinger of peace, harmony, progress and prosperity.
The Chief Minister in his message had said, "Christmas marks the birth of Jesus Christ and rekindles the spirit of peace and harmony. Let us resolve to promote unity and lead a true and virtuous life."
Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also greeted people. "Merry Christmas to all of you. I hope Santa Claus was generous to those of you who were good all of this year," he tweeted.
(REOPENS NRG 13)
In Jammu also, the festival was celebrated with religious fervour and gaiety. People from all faiths extended their good wishes to the members of Christian community.
Churches across the Jammu region were decorated with lights as people in large number thronged them to celebrate the birth anniversary of Jesus Christ.
"People from various faith have come to celebrate the birth anniversary of Jesus Christ here at the church and extended their good wishes to the members of Christian community on this day," Peter a local resident said.
The main function was organised at the Gandhi Nagar Church where a large number of people had started gathering from the early morning to celebrate the day.
"A special mass was held in the midnight to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ," Aman another local resident said.
