Srinagar, Aug 15 (KNO): For many visitors, a trip to Kashmir begins with its mountains, lakes and Mughal gardens. But for tourists who made their way to Srinagar’s historic Lal Chowk on Independence Day, the memory of the Valley came with a different backdrop: the iconic Ghanta Ghar wrapped in Tricolour.
The Clock Tower became an unlikely meeting point for tourists and locals as Independence Day celebrations brought people together around one of the city’s best-known landmarks.
According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), visitors stopped to take photographs, wave the Tricolour and soak in the festive atmosphere, while locals joined the celebrations, turning the usually bustling commercial square into a colourful gathering.
What made the scene different from an ordinary day was the quietness around it. With most shops and business establishments closed for the holiday, traffic remained thin on the city’s roads, and fewer people were seen outside.
Across Srinagar, including Downtown and uptown areas, the usual bustle gave way to a slower holiday mood, with many residents choosing to remain at home.
Those who did step out were largely seen around places where Independence Day celebrations were being held, including Lal Chowk, where the Ghanta Ghar drew tourists and locals for photographs and a glimpse of the festivities.
For some tourists visiting Kashmir for the first time, the experience was less about ticking off another sightseeing spot and more about witnessing the city at its symbolic centre.
“This is my first trip to Kashmir, and I am enjoying my stay here. This place is as beautiful as heaven, and I cannot describe it in words,” Karan, a tourist from Mumbai, said.
For locals too, the otherwise crowded commercial hub offered a different experience as the holiday brought a quieter rhythm to Lal Chowk. “It is wonderful to see such a diverse range of people participating in the celebrations. It brings a sense of unity and pride in our country,” said Gulzar Ahmad, a resident of Karan Nagar, Srinagar, who runs a tea cart near Court Road.
Zubair Ahmad, another local enjoying the holiday nearby, said the celebrations brought an unusual vibrancy to the otherwise quiet commercial centre. “It is heartening to see people come together to celebrate Independence Day,” he said.
The Ghanta Ghar, renovated as part of the Srinagar Smart City Project, has in recent years evolved from a familiar city landmark into a popular spot for photographs and tourists—(KNO)