Aaidl Dar Gulmarg, Dec 25:
Christmas came alive with traditional fervor and religious joy at the iconic ski resort Gulmarg on Monday. In a heartening display of unity, a group of Muslims and Kashmiri Pandits donned Santa hats, converging at the Holy St. Mery Church in Gulmarg, Kashmir. The gathering marked a moment of celebration as they exchanged greetings, distributed sweets, and shared the festive spirit.
The popular ski destination of Gulmarg witnessed a lively atmosphere, with locals, tourists, and visitors thronging the scenic locale. The Department of Tourism had made elaborate arrangements, and tourists embraced the Christmas spirit by dressing up as Santa Claus.
A tourist expressed, “I have come here to participate in these festivities. I have learned to respect each other’s faith and hold love and respect for each other.” He added, “I am here for the first time. I don’t have any Christian friends. Some of us decided to come here to be part of the celebrations and see how our Christian brothers enjoy their festivities.”
In Gulmarg, Christians, including women and children, gathered to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, offering special prayers. The historical church was adorned with colorful buntings and balloons, creating a festive ambiance.
Believers, both locals and tourists from different parts of the country and the world, joined together on this auspicious day, praying for world peace and brotherhood.
The celebration was graced by the presence of Director Tourism Kashmir Raja Yaqoob Farooq, Chief Executive Officer Gulmarg Development Authority Waseem Raja, General Manager Gondola Reyaz Ahmad, Assistant Director Tourism Gulmarg Javeedul Rehman, AD Tourism Srinagar Nisar Rasool, Deputy Director Tourism Ms. Deeba Ji, and other official dignitaries. The event exemplified the spirit of communal harmony and joyous coexistence at Gulmarg during the festive season.
