Hospitality at its Best! Heavy Snowfall Throws Life Out of Gear in Kashmir, Residents Open Up Their Homes and Mosque to Provide Shelter to Tourists

 In a heartwarming display of humanity and hospitality, residents of the Ganderbal district in the Kashmir Valley opened their homes and a mosque to provide refuge to stranded tourists as heavy snowfall disrupted life in the region.

Snowfall Brings Life to a Standstill

Beginning Friday afternoon, the snowfall intensified overnight, blanketing roads and causing slippery conditions that left vehicles stranded at various locations. In the Gund area along the Srinagar-Sonmarg road, a group of tourists from Punjab found themselves stuck, unable to proceed due to the inclement weather.

Hospitality Shines Amidst Crisis

The stranded tourists, some of whom spent the night in the local mosque, expressed immense gratitude for the locals’ hospitality. “Our vehicles were stranded, and we couldn’t travel, but locals helped us and saved us. We are extremely thankful to them,” shared one of the tourists.

Ghulam Mohammed Pandit, the president of Jamia Mosque Gund in Kangan, revealed that approximately 150 tourists were accommodated in the mosque. Additionally, over 250 others were welcomed into the locals' homes. "It is our responsibility to help those in need, especially during such times,” Pandit said.

Viral Video Garners Praise

A video showing tourists resting in the mosque quickly went viral on social media, drawing widespread appreciation for the generosity of Kashmiris. Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq commended the effort, saying, “It is heartening to see Kashmiris opening their Masjids and homes to stranded tourists amidst heavy snowfall.”

As the snowfall persists, highways remain closed, and flights are grounded, adding to the challenges faced by locals and visitors. Despite the disruptions, the selfless actions of Ganderbal residents stand as a testament to the region's enduring spirit of kindness and solidarity.

This act of compassion highlights the resilience and generosity of the people of Kashmir, offering a ray of hope in the face of nature’s challenges.