Suhail Khan
SRINAGAR, Dec 28: Kashmir once again won hearts with its hospitality as the residents of central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district opened their homes to stranded tourists during heavy snowfall, keeping both their doors and local mosques open to ensure that visitors were not troubled.
Reports reaching Kashmir Despatch stated that hundreds of tourists were stranded in Ganderbal district due to the heavy snowfall, but the goodwill of the locals remained unshaken.
Residents stepped outside their homes, opened their doors, and provided free food, shelter, and warmth to the stranded visitors, leaving a lasting impression on these guests.
Sameer, a local resident from Gund Ganderbal, told Kashmir Despatch, “As soon as we learned that tourists were stuck due to the snowfall blocking the roads, we all came outside and brought those stranded tourists into our homes, so they wouldn’t be troubled, especially given the harsh cold conditions.”
He said, “It is our duty as Kashmiris to help others, especially when they are in trouble.”
Sameer further expressed that the entire area’s residents sent a message that Kashmir’s essence of humanity would always thrive and that tourists would always feel safe here.
Junaid, another local, told Kashmir Despatch that the snow caused traffic on the Srinagar-Sonamarg highway to a standstill; however, the tourists traveling in the stranded vehicles were very worried since there were no available hotels due to full bookings. “But hospitality prevails in Kashmir, and once again we showed the spirit of Kashmiriat. People from all over the area came onto the roads to help any tourist who was stuck, offering them homes, food, and comfort, making them feel like they were in the safest place in the world.”
This story doesn’t end here. In Ganderbal district, the warmth of hospitality reached even further, as several mosque committees volunteered to assist stranded travelers and arranged accommodation for them inside mosques he said.
Junaid further said that residents also shared their contact numbers in the WhatsApp group “Civil Society Tehsil Gund,” inviting the stranded tourists to stay in their homes.
“We often see a percentage of people outside looking at Kashmir with a biased perspective, and today they should know that Kashmir can move the world with its essence of humanity and hospitality,” said one of the prayer leaders to Kashmir Despatch.
He added, “It is in our nature and our religion that guests should always be treated well, and Kashmir will always stand ready to do so.”
Mirwaiz Lauds People For Heartwarming Gesture
As news of the heartwarming gestures spread, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq praised the locals for opening their homes and mosques to stranded tourists during the snowfall.
He took to social media to commend the spirit of hospitality shown by the people of the valley. “Heartening to see Kashmiris opening their mosques and homes to stranded tourists amidst heavy snowfall. This gesture of warmth and humanity reflects our longstanding tradition of hospitality and assistance in times of need,” Mirwaiz wrote.
Visitors Express Gratitude
Kashmir Despatch posted some videos of tourists that showcased how helpful the residents were, with both the young and old lending a hand.
One of the woman tourist said, “The locals came through for us. They fed us, took us into their homes, and provided us with much-needed solace during this difficult time.”
Meanwhile, To enhance the guests’ safety during the storm, some hotel owners in Gagangir exceeded expectations by providing free lodging.
One visitor from New Delhi remarked, “The people of Kashmir are incredibly kind. The residents welcomed us into their homes when our car got trapped in the snow and we had nowhere to go. I will never forget their warmth, generosity, and friendliness.”
Similar sentiments were expressed by a visitor from Maharashtra who said that the trip not only helped them navigate a challenging moment but also allowed them to better appreciate Kashmir’s true essence. “This gesture showed me the true spirit of the region,” they remarked.
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On Friday, the snowfall caused traffic on the Srinagar-Sonamarg highway to come to a standstill, trapping many vehicles, including those of tourists, near the villages of Kangan, Gund, Gagangir, Sonamarg, Kulan, Rayil, and Guna-Van. However, in the face of adversity, the local community’s response was remarkably generous and heartwarming.
Suhail Khan is a filmmaker, content writer, and freelance journalist.
