Since Article 370 and 35A were scrapped on August 5, 2019, the security situation has improved dramatically, and Hindus of the valley are feeling safe celebrating these festivals in the open.
On August 5, 2019, the Union government scrapped Article 370 and 35A, thereby ending the special status of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir.
It is for the first time in 32 years, since the Kashmiri Hindus genocide perpetrated by Islamists with help of Pakistan, that the Hindu festival procession is being carried out like this at Lal Chowk. Earlier this month, the Lal Chowk was also lit up for the Independence Day celebrations. This, too, happened for the first time in years.
Janmashtami or Gokulashtmi, was celebrated with great spiritual fervour and vehemence by the members of the Kashmiri Pandit community, in the Kashmir Valley on Monday.
The festival that marks the birth of lord Krishna, the ninth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, is celebrated globally by his devotees.
The Kashmiri Pandits who had not migrated from Kashmir following the militancy in the early 90s, were seen visiting temples in Srinagar to offer their prayers. The community members including women and children were joined by government employees from various departments and security personnel from paramilitary forces.
Former Chief Ministers, Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti also wished the community on the occasion.
Processions were taken out in various parts of Srinagar, including the historical Lal Chowk. To mark the occasion, the Muslim community also welcomed the religious processions in colorful attires.
The processions were taken out from 200-year old Ganpathyar Temple, situated on the bank of sacred Vistasta. The last procession on the occasion were carried out in 2018 in Srinagar, which could not happen for the next to two years due to curfew restrictions and covid-19 protocols.
As per reports, the procession was organised by the devotees of the ISKCON Temple at Tanki Pora Habba Kadal.