Diwali 2024: First-ever Diwali celebrations in Srinagar

The pictures of the illuminating Lal Chowk go viral on social media from Jammu and Kashmir’s Srinagar.

For the first time in all these years, grand Diwali celebrations happened in Jammu and Kashmir’s Srinagar. Hundreds of locals and tourists came together to light diyas and celebrate the festival of lights. The city center, Lal Chowk, known for always buzzing with tourists during the day, came alive in the evening with illuminating lights that spread the light of Diwali all over.

Lal Chowk gets illuminated with diyas and lights on Diwali in Srinagar.

On Thursday, October 31, a grand Diwali celebration was held for the first time at Srinagar’s Lal Chowk, where hundreds of locals and tourists gathered to light diyas to mark the festival of lights. PTI reported that Srinagar’s city center was lit with lights and diyas as everyone came together to celebrate Diwali. Officials said this was the first time such a grand Diwali celebration had ever been held in the city center. A Rajkot, Gujarat tourist told PTI, “I am feeling very happy to be here. The atmosphere here is very great. I have not witnessed such a festive atmosphere anywhere. We are thankful to the people of Kashmir who supported us and joined in our celebrations.”

“This is really Naya Kashmir.”

Another tourist from Gujarat said, “This is really Naya Kashmir. We had never thought that we could celebrate Diwali in such a grand manner here. The atmosphere is electric. It is much better than what we see in Gujarat. I want to tell everyone that there is no threat here, everything is peaceful and locals are supportive.” Also, a priest performed puja during Diwali festival celebrations at Lal Chowk, Srinagar.

Greater Kashmir quoted a senior official as saying, “We have put all the security arrangements in place to ensure the smooth facilitation of the celebrations. Every effort has been put into creating a safe and welcoming environment for everyone.”