Hindus, Muslims celebrate Diwali together in Kathua

Srinagar, Oct 21: The centuries-old practice of celebrating Diwali together by Hindus and Muslims was once again witnessed in Kathua district, where men and women, young and old, came together to celebrate the festival of lights, transcending faith and belief.
People in Kathua showcased this festival as a shining example of brotherhood beyond religion and community.
In Kathua and its nearby villages, Muslim residents joined their Hindu neighbours in celebrating Diwali, continuing their long tradition of communal harmony. The exchange of greetings and shared celebrations strengthened social unity across the region.
Meanwhile, across Jammu province, the festival of lights is being celebrated with full enthusiasm and joy.
Days before the festival, people cleaned and decorated their homes. Markets turned lively as shopping picked up pace. Sweet shops were decorated, and there was great hustle and bustle everywhere. From Jammu city, scenes of grand celebrations were visible, with the entire region glowing with lights.
Raghunath Bazaar, Residency Road, BC Road, Talab Tillo, Janipur, and Gandhi Nagar markets in Jammu were packed with people. Long traffic jams caused difficulties for both pedestrians and drivers.
Police personnel were deployed across the city to manage the situation and ensure smooth traffic movement. Despite the rush, people continued shopping eagerly before returning home.
In areas such as Arnia, Nagrota, Bari Brahmana, and Vijaypur, people celebrated Diwali with equal enthusiasm, exchanging greetings and congratulations. The business community appeared particularly cheerful.
The weather also added to the festive mood, with a slight chill in the air. October brought a series of festivals like Karva Chauth, Dhanteras, and Diwali, filling homes with joy and festivity.
Kathua markets were vibrant and crowded. Women, youth, and children were busy shopping, their faces glowing with happiness. Diwali symbolizes the victory of good over evil. Lord Ram, Sita, and Lakshman returned to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile, and lamps were lit to mark their return. Their obedience to their parents and endurance of hardship continue to inspire generations.
The Kathua district administration made all necessary arrangements for the festival, including security and traffic management. In the border area of Hiranagar, soldiers along the India-Pakistan border celebrated Diwali with great joy. The celebrations continued for two days.
Social media has also become a major platform for sharing Diwali greetings, with people exchanging messages and wishes through Facebook and WhatsApp.