In a message of felicitations, the Chief Minister said Maha Shivratri is a major religious festival symbolising composite culture of Jammu & Kashmir. He said Kashmiri Pandits have been traditionally celebrating this auspicious festival, also known as Hairath, from times immemorial with active cooperation and blessings of the majority community, giving out a clear message of amity, harmony and brotherhood to the world.
Abdullah said Kashmir has remained a seat of Shai’vism for centuries and the philosophy has contributed in a big way to the multicultural ethos of the Valley. "The composite culture of the State symbolizes our balanced thinking and provides inspiration to others to pursue the path of ultimate truth", he added.
Wishing a happy Maha Shivratri to people of the State, Abdullah expressed hope that it will usher in a new era of peace and goodwill among all sections of the society.
Deputy Chief Minister greet people on Maha Shivratri:-
– Deputy Chief Minister, Mr. Tara Chand and Ministers, Mr. Abdul Rahim Rather, Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed, Mr. Ali Mohammad Sagar , Mian Altaf Ahmad, Mr. Taj Mohi-ud-Din, Mr. Nawang Rigzin Jora, Mr. Surjit Singh Slathia and Mr. Sham Lal Sharma have greeted the people of Jammu & Kashmir on the eve of Maha Shivratri.
In their greetings, they said the celebration of the festival reminds people of the bonds of regional brotherhood and communal harmony and symbolises the composite culture of the State. They said the festival symbolizes love and amity among each other, adding these values should be upheld at all costs.
Wishing a happy and prosperous Maha Shivratri, especially to the Kashmiri Pandits. The festival is celebrated as Hairath by the Kashmir Pandits.
The Ministers prayed that the day would bring all-round development and peace in the State.
Dr. Abdullah greated people on Maha Shivratri:-
– Dr. Farooq Abdullah, President J&K National Conference has extended warm greetings to the people of the state on the auspicious occasion of Maha Shivratri celebrated by Kashmiri Pandit brethren as Herath.
In a message Dr. Farooq Abdullah said that the auspicious occasion symbolizes great composite cultural ethos for which Jammu & Kashmir is known all over. He said such occasions strengthen bonds of amity, love and secular temperament among all sections of the society.
He expressed the hope that Maha Shivratri will be celebrated in a spirit of harmony and will usher in a new era of peace and good will among all sections of the society.
"I wish a bountiful Maha Shivratri to the people and pray for the prosperity of the State", the statement said.
Mufti, Mehbooba also greet people on Shivratri:-
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and the party President Mehbooba Mufti have felicitated the people of the State on the auspicious occasion of Mahashivratri.
In a message PDP leaders while extending Shivratri greetings to the people in general and the Kashmiri Pandit brethren in particular have said that the auspicious day symbolizes Jammu & Kashmir’s unique religious and cultural ethos that are embedded in its soul.
Praying for complete peace and normalcy in the State, the PDP leaders expressed optimism regarding the return of Kashmiri Pandit brethren to their homes to revive the Kashmir‘s age-old culture of religious coexistence, amity and brotherhood.