Srinagar | WTNS | Dec 27:Amidst the heavy snowfall, stranded tourists praised the hospitality of Kashmiris as many among them were welcomed by the local people at their homes and Masjids.
According to the news agency, the social media networking sites were flooded with messages by the stranded tourists, praising the hospitality of the natives.
A video which went viral on the social media platforms revealed that dozens of stranded tourists were being provided tea and other facilities by the common Kashmiris in their homes. “We have never seen such hospitality anywhere,” the stranded tourists said.
Some of the tourists on the roads were also praising the hospitality of Kashmiris, saying that the snowfall has affected their journey, but the people here didn’t leave them alone. “We were provided with every facility amidst the inclement weather conditions,” they said.
“Kashmir is literally a heaven on earth. Be it the picturesque places or the hospitality of its people, everything is praiseworthy,” one of the stranded tourists said.
Besides providing spaces to the stranded tourists at their homes, the locals in Ganderbal district also opened Masjids to allow the stranded tourists to take shelter till the road was cleared. “The locals opened the Masjid for us after the roads were closed due to the snowfall. Kashmiris are completely different from what is being portrayed. Such hospitality doesn’t exist anywhere other than Kashmir,” said, a stranded tourist, who spent the night in a Masjid.
Heavy snowfall has thrown normal life into disarray across the Kashmir Valley, disrupting air and road traffic. Amid these challenges, Kashmir’s chief religious cleric, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, has lauded the efforts of local Masjid committees and residents for accommodating stranded tourists and offering them support during these testing times.
On X (formerly Twitter), Mirwaiz appreciated the exemplary display of hospitality by Kashmiris. “Heartening to see Kashmiris opening their Masjids and homes to stranded tourists amidst heavy snowfall.
This gesture of warmth and humanity reflects our longstanding tradition of hospitality and help in times of need,” Mirwaiz wrote
The snowfall, which began under the influence of a fresh Western Disturbance (WD), led to the cancellation of flights and the closure of major roads, including the Srinagar-Jammu highway.
Many vehicles remain stranded along the highway, with efforts underway to clear snow and restore connectivity as soon as possible.
The southern districts of Kashmir experienced moderate snowfall from Friday into the early hours of Saturday, while several parts of South and Central Kashmir, including Srinagar, witnessed the season’s first snowfall.
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Saturday commended the people of Kashmir for their generosity in assisting stranded tourists during the ongoing snowfall, which has disrupted daily life across the region.
Meanwhile PDP General Secretary Mohammad Khurshid Alam expressed appreciation for the Kashmiri people’s enduring spirit of hospitality, stating how residents opened their homes and Masjids to provide shelter, food, and warmth to those in need.
“It is heartening to witness that Kashmir’s long-standing tradition of hospitality is alive and thriving,” Alam said. “Despite the challenges posed by snowfall, including water and electricity shortages, the people of Kashmir have shown remarkable generosity, making the region proud once again.”
