Thousands of Kashmiri Pandits from different parts of the country reached Tulmulla Ganderbal to take part in prayers. The local majority community welcomed the devotees at the occasion, while administration has put all required arrangements in place.
Devotees offered prayers at the Mata Kheer Bhawani Temple in Tullamulla during the annual Kheer Bhawani Mela.
Avtar Kishan , a devotee from Pulwama said, “It is an auspicious occasion today as it is the birthday of Mata Kheer Bhavani. People of every section and community come here. It is a famous mela. People have come from America, Canada, Germany, and from across the country. The mela teaches us brotherhood. Even the Muslims and Sikhs are also here. Everyone can attend the prayers. I want to pray for peace and harmony. I wish the time that Valley witnessed before the ’90s would come back. Kashmiri pandits and Muslims used to eat together and were indistinguishable.”
Sahil, a devotee from Jammu expressed, “The government and administration have made an extremely good arrangement. Another devotee from Srinagar MK Razdan told us that My family has been visiting this mela for the last 8 years. The environment is peaceful here. There is adequate deployment of security personnel including CRPF staff. People are enjoying it very much. I appeal that more people come here.”
Sapna, from Jammu, shared her experience saying, “It feels good here,” and added that it was her second visit to the mela.
Nivedita, from Punjab, said she learned about the mela through her relatives and had a pleasant experience visiting the place.
This year, an estimated 80,000 migrant Kashmiri Pandits from various parts of India and abroad are expected to visit the five renowned temples in the Valley during the annual fair.
Some Kashmiri Pandits talking to us said that the situation in Kashmir has really changed and Prime Minister Narendra Modi should work to bring Kashmiri Pandits back to Kashmir.