SRINAGAR: Kashmiri Pandits celebrated Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayak Tchoram, with devotion and enthusiasm across the Kashmir Valley. This year’s festivities, beginning on August 7, 2024, were marked by religious ceremonies at the Siddhivinayak Ganpatyar Mandir in Srinagar and Vessu KP Colony in Anantnag, South Kashmir.
In a joint statement issued by the Siddhivinayak Ganpatyar Mandir Management Committee and the Vessu Welfare Committee, it was noted that the celebrations included a Hawan (sacred fire ritual) and Prasad distribution, with support from the Shri Bausaheb Rangari Trust, Pune, headed by Shri Punit Balan. Eco-friendly Ganesha idols were provided for the festivities, ensuring environmentally conscious celebrations.
The five-day festival concluded with Ganesh Visarjan (immersion ceremony) on September 11, 2024. Two grand processions marked the immersion—one from the Ganpatyar Mandir in Srinagar to the Jhelum River at Haba Kadal, and the other from Vessu KP Colony to the Sangam in Anantnag. The processions were celebrated with music, prayers, and enthusiastic participation from the local community.
A special tradition, known as Pann Pooza, involved the preparation of sweet bread as an offering to Lord Ganesha, symbolizing unity and communal bonding.
The joint statement said that despite the challenges of the past, including militancy in the region, the local Muslim community continues to witness and support the celebrations, underscoring the enduring spirit of communal harmony and brotherhood in the Valley. (KDC)
