Sunny Break After Rain Lifts Eid Celebrations in Srinagar as Children Fill Parks
Srinagar, March 21, KNT: A spell of sunshine on Saturday after days of intermittent rain brought relief across Kashmir, allowing Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations to proceed with renewed enthusiasm, particularly among children.
The improvement in weather came after nearly a week of rain had raised concerns about outdoor festivities, with many families uncertain about plans for the festival marking the end of Ramadan.
The clear skies proved significant as children, who had been anxious about the weather, stepped out in large numbers to celebrate, filling parks, gardens and public spaces across Srinagar and other parts of the Valley.
Dressed in colourful attire, children were seen enjoying rides, visiting fairs and spending time with family, adding vibrancy to the festival atmosphere.
“Eid without children is incomplete,” said a local resident in Srinagar, describing the scenes in parks where families gathered after the weather improved.
Despite the sunshine, the impact of earlier rainfall remained visible, with wet grounds limiting large outdoor congregations in many areas.
As a result, Eid prayers were largely offered inside mosques rather than traditional open grounds at several locations, officials said.
Thousands of devotees gathered at major religious sites, including the Hazratbal shrine, where large congregations offered Eid prayers peacefully.
Officials said arrangements were made to accommodate worshippers amid ground conditions affected by rain.
However, prayers were not permitted at the historic Jamia Masjid in Srinagar, continuing a pattern of restrictions on congregational prayers at the site during key occasions.
Authorities did not immediately provide detailed reasons for the decision, though such restrictions have previously been linked to security considerations.
Religious scholars and community members noted that while limitations remained at certain locations, the overall celebrations were marked by calm and participation.
“People adapted to the situation. Even if prayers were indoors, the spirit of Eid was very much alive,” a local cleric said.
Across the Valley, markets witnessed moderate activity, with families purchasing sweets, gifts and traditional items associated with the festival.
Eid-ul-Fitr is one of the most important festivals in Islam, symbolizing gratitude, charity and community bonding following a month of fasting.
This year’s celebrations in Kashmir reflected a mix of relief and adjustment, as improved weather enabled outdoor festivities for children, even as logistical and administrative factors shaped the conduct of prayers. [KNT]
