DH NEWS SERVICE
Kupwara, May 1
The Kashmiri Pandit community celebrated Ganesh Chaturthi in Sogam, located in the Lolab Valley of North Kashmir, after a gap of more than 35 years. The event marked a significant milestone in the revival of traditional religious and cultural practices in the region and was seen as a symbol of growing communal harmony and cultural reconnection.
The programme was organized by Sanatan Sabha Sogam with active support from the District Administration Kupwara and Kupwara Police. The collaboration between civil administration and security forces ensured smooth conduct of the event, allowing devotees to participate without any inconvenience. The celebration witnessed the participation of several hundred devotees who visited the temple complex at Sogam and performed rituals with deep devotion, creating a spiritually vibrant and festive atmosphere. The Sub-Divisional Administration under the supervision of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate Lolab made adequate arrangements for the smooth conduct of the Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations. Proper facilities including security, sanitation, water supply, and crowd management were ensured for the visiting devotees. Local residents of the area also extended full support by assisting in arrangements, which further strengthened the sense of unity and mutual cooperation.
Deputy Commissioner Kupwara, who visited the Sogam temple on the occasion, described the revival of the Ganesh Chaturthi Mela as an important and positive development for the region. He interacted with members of the community and reviewed the arrangements put in place for the smooth conduct of the event.
He also stated that necessary steps are being taken by the administration to improve sanitation facilities and undertake renovation work in and around the temple complex to preserve its cultural and religious significance.
The members of the Kashmiri Pandit community expressed deep emotional attachment to the occasion, describing it as a symbolic moment of reconnecting with their ancestral roots after several decades. They shared that the celebration brought back memories of earlier traditions and reinforced their cultural identity in the region.
The community also expressed gratitude to the District Administration, Kupwara Police, and local residents for their wholehearted support and cooperation in ensuring the peaceful and successful conduct of the Ganesh Chaturthi Mela. They appreciated the arrangements made by the authorities, which enabled devotees to participate in the festivities with devotion and comfort.
The successful organization of the event is being viewed as a positive step towards strengthening communal harmony, cultural integration, and mutual understanding in the region, while also encouraging the revival of long-standing traditions that form part of Kashmir’s diverse cultural heritage.
