Ganderbal, Jun 22 (KNO): Thousands of devotees gathered at the Mata Kheer Bhawani shrine at Tulmulla in Ganderbal on Monday to celebrate Jyeshtha Ashtami offering prayers for peace, prosperity, and communal harmony in Jammu and Kashmir and across the world.
According to the details available with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) devotees began arriving at the shrine from the early hours of the day to offer prayers and seek blessings of Mata Kheer Bhawani. The temple complex witnessed a large turnout amid an atmosphere of devotion and spiritual fervour.
Pertinently, the event is one of the most important religious festivals of the Kashmiri Pandit community. The festival marks the appearance day of Goddess Ragnya Bhagwati. It is celebrated at several shrines dedicated to the deity across Kashmir, including Kheer Bhawani at Tulmulla, Tripur Sundari at Devsar, Ragnya Bhagwati at Manzgam, Loktipora and Tikker.
Talking to KNO a devotee, Ashish Nand Bhatt, expressed pride in his Kashmiri heritage and said his ancestors had served as priests at the holy Amarnath Cave Shrine. He said he had come to seek the blessings of Mata Kheer Bhawani and pray for peace and prosperity.
The shrine complex remained packed throughout the day as devotees offered prayers, lit earthen lamps and chanted hymns in praise of the Goddess. Long queues were witnessed outside the temple, the yagya shala and community kitchens amid the heavy rush of pilgrims.
Emotional scenes unfolded at the shrine as Muslims warmly greeted visiting Kashmiri Pandits, rekindling memories of their shared past and centuries-old bonds of coexistence.
Many displaced Pandits who had come to the Valley for the annual pilgrimage met former neighbours and friends, turning the religious gathering into an occasion of reunion and remembrance.
Several similar reunions were witnessed at the shrine complex as members of the two communities exchanged greetings, recalled old times and expressed hope for the return of peace and harmony in Kashmir.
The scenes of Muslims and Kashmiri Pandits embracing each other drew attention from pilgrims and visitors alike, reflecting Kashmir's traditional ethos of communal harmony and brotherhood.
A devotee, Ashish Nand Bhatt, said he was proud of his Kashmiri roots and had come to seek the blessings of Mata Kheer Bhawani. "I pray for peace, prosperity and brotherhood in Kashmir. The mela is not only a religious gathering but also a symbol of our deep connection with this land," he said.
Another devotee from Jammu, Sunita Raina, said she visits the shrine every year and feels spiritually uplifted. "The atmosphere here is divine and peaceful. We pray for happiness, good health and lasting peace in Jammu and Kashmir," she said.
Pilgrims praised authorities for putting in place comprehensive security, traffic regulation, healthcare, sanitation and other essential services to ensure the smooth and peaceful conduct of the annual festival.
ELABORATE ARRANGEMENTS PUT IN PLACE FOR PILGRIMS: DIV COM GARG
Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Anshul Garg, who visited the shrine, extended greetings to devotees and said elaborate arrangements had been put in place for pilgrims visiting Kheer Bhawani temples across Kashmir, including Tulmulla, Mansgam, Devsar, Logripora and Tikkar.
He said all necessary facilities, including security, healthcare, sanitation, transport and other essential services, had been arranged to ensure the smooth conduct of the mela.
Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal, Jatin Kishore, said the annual mela holds immense religious significance and that the district administration had made comprehensive arrangements for the convenience of pilgrims. He welcomed devotees on behalf of the administration and the people of Ganderbal.
Meanwhile, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir, V K Birdi extended greetings to devotees on the occasion and expressed hope that the festival would promote peace, harmony, spiritual strength and communal brotherhood—(KNO)