Srinagar, Oct 12 ( KINS): Kashmiri Pandits are set to celebrate the Dussehra festival in Srinagar this evening, with arrangements organized by the Kashmiri Pandit Sangarsh Samiti (KPSS), a non-migrant Kashmiri Pandit organization.
In a statement to reporters, KPSS General Secretary Ratan Chakoo highlighted that the festival has been celebrated in Srinagar since 2007. “All communities celebrate this festival together. Not only the different communities living in Kashmir but also tourists and pilgrims present in Kashmir participate in the festivities,” he noted.
Chakoo announced that a 32-foot effigy of Ravan would be set ablaze at 5:30 PM, inviting everyone in attendance to consider themselves chief guests of the event. When asked about rumors that the Ravan statues were brought from Muradabad, Uttar Pradesh, and created by Muslim artisans, he emphasized the spirit of unity: “It is not about who made the Ravan we are going to torch later. We are all first humans and we are working together.”
The event will take place at Polo Ground, Srinagar. Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashami or “the day of victory,” follows the nine nights of Navratri and signifies the triumph of good over evil.
Sandeep Koul, another KPSS member, stated that today’s event is organized in collaboration with the Puneet Bhalan Group. “The event will start at 5:30 PM and conclude at 7 PM. This celebration will showcase communal harmony and unity among various communities. We enjoy the full support of the majority community here,” Koul urged, encouraging everyone to join in the festivities.( KINS)