Traditional Janmshtami procession revived in Kashmir

 Basit Zargar/Srinagar

After three decades, the Hindus in Kashmir took out a traditional procession on Janmashtami, the birthday of Lord Krishna, through marketplaces of Srinagar and also some other towns of the Valley.

The procession passes through Lal Chowk

While tableaux depicting Krishna and his consort Radha, people followed it as it passed through some of the narrow markets of Srinagar and especially Lal Chowk square.

Children dressed as Radha and Krishna against the backdrop of clock tower in Lal Chowk

Many young Kashmiris who have grown in the years of militancy have seen this celebration for the first time. 

Kashmiri women break into Heikat, a local celebratory dance

Men and women broke into an occasional dance. People were also seen singing devotional songs.

The men too shake a leg

Reports of similar celebrations are also pouring in from towns of north Kashmir like Handwara and Baramulla.

The procession passing The procession passing through congested parts of Srinagar old town

The procession was escorted by the security forces.

PICS by Basit Zargar