Jammu, Mar 14: Holi – the splendid festival of colours, was celebrated with exuberance across Jammu and Kashmir as vibrant hues delineated the festive spirits on Friday.
Festivities pervaded across the Jammu region where the people, irrespective of age and gender, immersed themselves in colourful celebrations joined by their families and friends.
In Kashmir also, the members of the minority community, including Kashmiri Pandits, celebrated the festival with usual fervour and festivity.
The members of the majority community demonstrated traditional camaraderie while wholeheartedly sharing the festive spirits and greeting the revellers.
Besides, security forces deployed in forward areas along the snow-covered Line of Control (LoC) as well as in different security installations across the Valley and out-station students splashed colours in consonance with animated spirits of the festival, as part of Holi celebrations in Kashmir.
The festival, which marks the triumph of good over evil and righteousness over wickedness, is celebrated by the members of Hindu and Sikh communities with equal zest.
In Jammu, the members of other communities also participated in celebrations; exchanging greetings, applying colours and enjoying delicacies. Youngsters in particular enjoyed the festival to the hilt, well equipped with colour-filled balloons; colour cylinders or colour spray bottles.
The city markets, particularly in Pacca Danga, Moti Bazar, Gandhi Nagar, and Gole Market remained abuzz with revellers. This Holi, the kid shoppers mainly opted for water guns named and designed after famed cartoon characters or Marvel’s superheroes.
Masks, smoke colours, and herbal colours too were much in demand among the youth. Keeping in view the youth, resorting to hooliganism and stunt driving while criss-crossing the roads, lanes and by-lanes, the Police had issued an advisory.
Besides, the civil and police administration made elaborate security arrangements across the city, especially around religious places, to prevent any untoward incident, which could mar festive spirits.
Security personnel all across Jammu region too celebrated the festival of colours with exuberance.
Reports of Holi celebrations in Kathua, Samba, Poonch, Rajouri, Udhampur, Reasi, Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban districts also poured in.
Security forces deployed in Kashmir also celebrated the festival of colours, with great enthusiasm and joy.
The celebrations were held in various forward areas along the snow-covered Line of Control (LoC) as well as in different security installations across the Valley, spreading a message of unity, camaraderie, and festivity.
The Border Security Force (BSF) personnel stationed at the forward posts on the LoC braved the freezing temperatures to celebrate the festival in high spirits.
In a unique gesture, the soldiers inscribed ‘Happy Holi’ in vibrant colours on the snow, symbolising joy, togetherness, and the triumph of positivity. Despite being far from their families, the border guards embraced the festival with deep fervour, exchanging colours and greetings among themselves.
The sight of bright hues against the white expanse of snow added a special charm to the celebrations.
In south Kashmir, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel celebrated Holi at their Ashajipora camp in Anantnag district with zeal and excitement. The troops embraced each other, danced joyously, and sprinkled colours in a vibrant display of festivity, despite the inclement weather.
Speaking to the media, a CRPF officer shared, “Although we are away from our families, the spirit of Holi remains strong. We celebrate with our companions in the force, making it a memorable occasion.”
Additionally, CRPF personnel extended their celebrations beyond the camp premises, marking the festival with the Kashmiri Pandit community at the Vesu transit camp. The security personnel and Kashmiri Pandits exchanged pleasantries, applied colours on each other, and shared moments of laughter and joy, further strengthening bonds between the security forces and the local community.
Reports of similar Holi festivities emerged from various security camps across the Valley. The Army’s Chinar Corps headquarters at BB Cantonment in Srinagar held a lively celebration, with officers and personnel participating in traditional festivities.
The Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) personnel stationed at Batmaloo also marked the occasion with enthusiasm.
Further, vibrant celebrations were witnessed at CRPF camps in Kulgam and at the Subsidiary Training Centre (STC) of BSF in Humhama, where security forces engaged in Holi rituals, spreading colours and cheers.
The Chinar Corps extended warm Holi wishes to all personnel, their families, veterans, civil employees, and the people of Kashmir.
“May the festival fill our lives with vibrant hues of joy, harmony, and togetherness,” Corps said in a post on X.
Tarique Raheem reports from Kupwara
The students of Government Medical College (GMC) Handwara in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district Friday came together to celebrate Holi with great enthusiasm.
Several Hindu students from different states of the country expressed their joy in celebrating Holi in Kashmir despite being away from home. They praised the harmonious atmosphere and the warm support from their Muslim friends and residents.
“We couldn’t go home for Holi, but celebrating the festival here in Handwara has been special. Locals of Handwara have stood by us, making this festival even more meaningful. The brotherhood we experienced here is heartwarming,” said one of the students.
M M Parvaiz from Ramban
Despite inclement weather, the festival of colours – Holi was celebrated with great enthusiasm and joy across three districts of Chenab Valley.
Friday prayers and Holi celebrations were held peacefully in Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban districts.
Official sources said no untoward incident was reported from any part of the region.
Police made elaborate security arrangements in all three districts to thwart any untoward incident.
The festival was celebrated at Police Station Doda; SBI; RSETI Ramban; CRPF 84 battalion headquarters Chanderkote; Higher Secondary School Bhaderwah, Banihal; Kishtwar and other towns with great enthusiasm and joy.
The event was filled with laughter, music, and a cheerful exchange of colours as the participants applied colours to each other, symbolizing friendship and happiness.
