Srinagar : Christmas time is back. You can witness several people buying numerous things to gift loved ones.

Be it the stores of clothes or toys, there is an enormous crowd in the market. But truly, this festival, which is primarily celebrated by Christians, is beyond just gifting.

‘Lost Glory’ of Christmas in Kashmir valley

125-year-old St Luke’s Church, one of the oldest in Kashmir valley, was restored ahead of Christmas eve.

The church is now being renovated to restore it to its old glory.

The foundation stone of Saint Luke’s Church, located at Dalgate area of Srinagar, was laid by Earnest Neve and Dr Arthur Neve, on 12 September 1896.

“To The Glory of God,” “As A Witness To Kashmir” dedicated by “The Bishop of Lahore,” reads the foundation stone of the church.

The Tourism Department of Jammu and Kashmir, under its ‘Smart City Project,’ has renovated and restored the church.

The renovation of the church began in April last year but had to be stopped after the outbreak of COVID-19 and the subsequent lockdown.

Local residents in the area are jubilant over the restoration of the church as they feel that the roots of unity and brotherhood will grow stronger and will provide a boost to tourism in the city.