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Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights is being celebrated Sunday across Indian-controlled Kashmir along with other Indian states with traditional enthusiasm and religious fervor.
Hindus living in Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian- controlled Kashmir and other towns thronged markets wearing new clothes to purchase firecrackers, candles, earthen lamps and confectioneries.
"I purchased sweets and biscuits, besides some packets of firecrackers for my young son," said Vijay Nath, a Hindu resident.
"From here I along with my family will go to temple for prayers and later in the evening we will celebrate festival at home by lighting candles and earthen lamps on window sills."
The Lal Chowk (red square) market in Srinagar witnessed an unusual rush of Hindu shoppers purchasing gifts and firecrackers to celebrate the festival.
The main celebrations for Diwali festival in the region were going on in Jammu city, the winter capital. Jammu is a Hindu majority city and home to many temples. The markets in Jammu, which witness a huge rush on Diwali, were decorated to attract the shoppers.
"Jammu city is also known as city of temples and from every temple the loudspeakers are blaring with the songs of Lord Rama," said Nitin Gupta, a Hindu. "The hymn chanting helps us to meditate with our lord."
Hindu women dressed in colorful Saris carrying flowers and incense sticks on plates were seen making a beeline to temples for special prayers. The temples on Diwali are illuminated with dazzling lights. Some people also decorate their houses with electric bulbs and buntings.
"We just returned back from the Ragunath temple after paying obeisance there," said Anjali, a devout Hindu. "In the evening we will illuminate our house by lighting candles and earthen lamps."
Special prayers were being organized in temples, across the region for Diwali.
The Hindu priests at Srinagar's Hanuman temple were seen chanting religious hymns and putting a mark of vermilion on the forehead of the devotees approaching them. Hundreds of Hindu devotees including women visited temples and participated in hymn singing.
Hindus in the region and across India lit earthen oil lamps during evenings to illuminate their houses.
Diwali festival marks an official holiday in the region.
The festival is being celebrated every year in the memory of Hindu God Lord Rama's homecoming after completing 14 years in exile in the forest and his victory over demon king Ravana.
Young Hindus also took to social networking websites to send wishes and greet each other.
The Indian troopers, posted in the restive region fighting insurgency also celebrated the festival. The troopers set off firecrackers and lit candles to illuminate their camps.
The region's Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Governor N N Vohra have extended greetings to the Hindus on the eve of Diwali.
India's official broadcasterAll India Radio (AIR) said the Pollution Control Board has appealed people in Delhi to minimize setting off firecrackers to contain noise and air pollution.
