Navratras, Eid celebrated with religious fervor in Jammu Jail

Jammu, Oct 1 (UNI) Sharing hugs and exchange of wishes, today marked the celebrations of Id-ul-Fitr and the ongoing Navratras behind the closed walls of district jail at Ambphalla here.

Hundreds of jail inmates celebrated the festival by wishing 'Eid Mubarak' to each other, while the second day of the ongoing Navratras was also celebrated with fervor and enthusiasm.

The zeal among the jail inmates while celebrating the twin occasions depicted secularism, affection and friendliness.

''All the inmates offered prayers inside the jail and celebrated the occasion by sharing hugs and wishing 'Eid Mubarak' while 'puja' was also performed in the wake of the ongoing Navratra festival, in which every one participated enthusiastically,'' Rajni Sehgal, Superintendent of Police, District Jail told UNI.

The SP also revealed that special meals were cooked on the occasion of Id-ul-Fitr besides the food items being prepared during the Navratras for the inmates having 'fast' (vrat). Sweets were also distributed.

Meanwhile Eid was being celebrated with religious fervour and gaiety in the winter capital of the state.

Hundreds of Muslims in the morning assembled at the Eidgah and offered prayers for peace and communal brotherhood, while many Hindus waited outside the Eidgah to greet 'Eid Mubarak' to their Muslim friends after the prayers.

''We have been greeted on 'Eid' by our friends and even we jointly offered prayers at the Masjid for tranquility and love,'' Baffar Shah, a shopkeeper asserted saying, ''The occasion is not only being celebrated by the Muslims alone, but everyone is passionately taking part in the celebration as Jammu and Kashmir has always set an example of secularism and communal harmony in the country.'' Attired in colorful dresses, children accompanied by their family members visited markets for shopping, while mosques within the city and its peripheries were illuminated.

The festival was celebrated with great enthusiasm and gusto across the region amidst tight security to prevent any untoward incident.

UNI VBH SBC CS1510