Srinagar: On the eve of Maha Shivratri, the pandit community living in valley held special prayers for the Kashmir resolution at various places on Thursday.

The reports received by Kashmir News service (KNS) informed that the special prayers were held at various temples across valley wherein the pundit community prayed for peace and tranquility of Kashmir.

Rakeesh Thusoo, a pandit residing in old city told KNS that on the eve of Maha Shivratri pundits held prayers at their homes for three continuous days and place walnuts in various utensils during the three days of Watuk Puja. “We are have prayed for the betterment of our land,” he said, adding that the growing problem of unemployment must end in Kashmir.

S.K.Razdan stated that the people of Kashmir including the pandit community have suffered a lot and that the sufferings must end so that the dawn of peace could arrive. “We are holding special prayers for the Kashmir resolution this evening. The issue has crossed 65 years.”

He added that the Kashmir is going through the turbulent time and it is only God that could get its people out of these crises. ”The Muslims and Pandits used to live like one family in the past and now there are only few hindu families left in valley. We are missing those good old days when it Shivratri used to be the festival of all.”

Vineeta Koul stated that everyone in Kashmir is crying within over its crises and that it is not the issue of one particular community. “Kashmir belongs to all and we as its inhabitants pray for the everlasting peace in the region.”

See how many have lost their precious lives and how much damaged is Kashmir’s unique identity at present. We have organized special prayers for the resolution of Kashmir issue so that we could live in harmony once again,” said Rajendar Dhar. Political leader Sanjay Saraf stated that the Maha Shivratri is the day on which the pandit community is praying for the peace and development of Kashmir. “We have the growing drug menace here, we have more than six lakh youth unemployed,” he said adding that he prays for the well being of Kashmir’s society at large. Maha Shivratri is a festival celebrated every year in reverence of Lord Shiva. Also much popular as 'Shivratri' or 'Great Night of Lord Shiva', is observed on the 13th night/14th day in the Krishna Paksha every year on the month of Maagh according to the Hindu calendar. (KNS)