Hundreds of people, predominantly tourists from various regions of India, congregated at the Clock Tower located in Srinagar, the summer capital of the Indian side of Kashmir, on the eve of New Year.

The moment the 2024 countdown commenced, people present at the spot celebrated the arrival of the New Year with various musical concerts amid bone-chilling cold.

“I had never been to Kashmir before. I planned to visit here before the holiday season as people claimed Kashmir looks no less than heaven,” Anjana Roy, a tourist from the Indian state of West Bengal, told Al Mayadeen English. “Kashmir looks more beautiful than in pictures or videos,” she added.

The Indian side of Kashmir has witnessed a surge in tourist arrivals since mid-December last year. The visitors say the numbers are increasing because they consider the region as an ideal place to celebrate Christmas and the New Year.

More than 1.6 million tourists, according to the Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Department, visited Kashmir in 2023.

Roy told Al Mayadeen English that she and her family visited the disputed Himalayan territory two days before Christmas. She added that they directly went to Gulmarg, a prominent ski resort in India as well as Asia, as they had been influenced by the beauty of the area, especially that the region is covered with a thick layer of snow.

“We were lucky to attend prayers at Saint Mary Church on Christmas Eve,” Roy said. “The journey in Kashmir has been spiritual and full of fun as well,” she added.

The Muslim-majority region is home to a small Christian community, which was introduced in the valley during the British rule in the Indian subcontinent. However, only a few native families have embraced the religion. 

To commemorate the birth anniversary of Jesus Christ, the local government organizes festive activities, by hosting an event at Gulmarg on the eve of Christmas. The tourism department also facilitates transportation for the local Christian community to reach the destination where hundreds of visitors attend the Church and participate in prayers.

The department officially also inaugurates winter sports activities such as ice hockey and ice skating after the event inside the church ends.

“The influx of mostly foreign tourists to the valley is a positive sign,” Raja Yaqoob, Director of Tourism, said on the sidelines of the function. “Gulmarg is well-prepared for the winter season, attracting a significant number of visitors,” he said, adding that other health resorts such as “Pahalgam and Sonamarg are opening for the winter season for the first time.”

Christian community members gather at two local churches, Holy Family Catholic Church and All Saints Church, both in Srinagar on December 25. The churches welcome the visitors with lights, balloons, balls, and Christmas ornaments. Massive gatherings take place at these churches where local, national, and foreign members attend the religious gathering.

"We coexist harmoniously with Muslims without any fear,” Rev. Venu Koul told Al Mayadeen English. “The local Christian community eagerly anticipates the festive day from the beginning of the Advent season. We visit each other's homes, singing carols and sharing celebratory meals following the prayers,” he added.

“During Christmas, our prayers extend to everyone's well-being,” the priest continued. “We remember those facing challenges and strive to spread the message of peace,” he concluded.

Despite being a small community, local Christians have contributed a lot to shaping the modern-day education, health, and sports sectors in the valley. The community members run several schools and hospitals thus playing an important role for the betterment of locals living in the region.

“The schools run by the Christian community in Kashmir are amazing, and nothing else in the valley comes close to them,” said Mohammad Mumin, a former student of Tyndale Biscoe School, a Christian Missionary School. “They also operate numerous hospitals thus contributing to the well-being of the people in Jammu and Kashmir,” he added.

The Christmas and New Year holiday season provides income to thousands of people associated with multiple trades including hoteliers, travel agents, and Paper Mache manufacturers.

“Christmas holds significant importance for us as Paper Mache manufacturers and exporters. Each of us exports Christmas-related goods worth thousands of dollars to Europe and America,” Amjad Ali, one of the Paper Mache manufacturers, told Al Mayadeen English. “Every manufacturer has a workforce of at least 500 individuals engaged in various stages of the manufacturing process,” he said, adding that local demand for the goods he produces is low in comparison to local and national levels.

Haamid Masoodi, the General Manager of Kolahoi Green Heights Hotel in Gulmarg, stated that the entire Kashmir valley is fully booked until the end of January.

“In the last couple of years we have observed a similar influx largely attributable to the visibility of visitors on social media as a result Kashmir has experienced an increasing influx,” Masoodi said. “The presence of foreign tourists during New Year and Christmas has not been substantial but their numbers do tend to rise when the government's winter festival is in full swing,” he added.