Holi spreading communal harmony in Jammu and Kashmir

Srinagar, Mar. 9 (ANI): Hindus and Muslims are already celebrating Holi in Rajouri District forgetting their differences.

Holi has a special significance here. Hindus and Muslims celebrate this festival a week in advance by carrying out processions in the name of Lord Bhairon.

"This kind of procession happens only in Rajouri. According to our forefathers, earlier when the procession wasn't carried out in a certain year, people faced calamities the next year like water scarcity and lack of fruits on trees. So our progenitors made a tradition to organize this procession every year," said Hasan Mushtaq, a local.

During the procession a half naked man, who is painted black from top to bottom, holds a forceps in his hand and takes a round of the whole area. People from both Muslim and Hindu communities also move along with him.

It is believed that whoever gets a smashing on his back with the forceps receives the blessings of Lord Bhairon.

"We have been hearing from our forefathers that this is a very old tradition and it is celebrated on the occasion of Holi," said Bharat Bashan Vaid, a local.

The 200-year-old 'Bhairon procession' has not only become an integral part of Holi celebrations in Rajori district, but it is also a symbol of communal harmony. By Liyaqat Chaudhary (ANI)