For Kashmiri Hindus and Muslims, Shivratri bridges a gap

​Jammu: As bells tolled in the temples of Lord Shiva on Monday, what emerged was a heartening story of healing wounds between Hindus and Muslims - wounds inflicted by years of insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir. For the Hindus, better known as Kashmiri Pandits, Shivratri is the biggest festival on the calendar. And a scene that played out repeatedly this year in areas dominated by them was Muslims embracing and wishing their Hindu friends. Some were overwhelmed by the gesture of Kashmiri Muslims who travelled long distances to meet them in their resettlement township Jagti, on the outskirts of Jammu, in the rain and freezing temperatures.

Images: Devotees perform abhishek of Lord Shiva on the occasion of Maha Shivratri festival at a temple in Allahabad on Monday,  Feb. 20, 2012.

Text: IANS

Images: PTI/AP