Ground Report

 

           Tulmalla (Srinagar), May 31 – Thousands of Kashmiri pandits on Sunday paid obeisance at Kheer Bhawani temple at Tulla Mulla on the occasion of Jesht Ashtami early morning, had a clear message: "We’ll return when peace will."

 

         

        Devotees, offered prayers and sought blessings of Goddess Ragnya Devi.  The devotees had gathered from all across the country and abroad to attend the festival. The entire route from Ganderbal to the shrine  wore a festive look as vehicles carrying the pilgrims in colourful dresses converged in long rows at the shrine right from the break of dawn,despite the indefinete strike by private transporters.

 

 

With the inception of militancy in Kashmir most of the Kashmiri Pandits who left their homes in early 1990s and had come to perform ‘pooja’ in "Mata Ragnya" temple at Tulmula area of Ganderbal in Kashmir on Sunday said that they miss Kashmir.

 

 

It was an unusual event in the area, which is celebrated with the participation of many local residents providing essentials to the pilgrims. “The locals belonging to the majority community have been giving us all support and assistance for the smooth conduct of the annual pilgrimage”, said a Sunil Bhat belonging to a nearby locality and presently living in Jammu.

 

 

The scenes at the entry to the shrine were “reminiscent of the good old days”, according to Abdul Rashid, selling milk to the pilgrims outside the main gate of the shrine. The annual festival is held here on ‘Jeshth Ashtmi’ when pilgrims seek the blessings of the deity.

 

 

For ensuring peaceful festival the government had made elaborate security arrangements. Performing ‘puja’ and singing melodious religious hymns outside the temple compound, most of the Pandits said they will pray for absolute peace in their prayers.

 

Among elderly devotees there were a good number of young visitors too and one of them was 25-year-old computer student Rajeev Koul. He left Kashmir and his Rainawari Srinagar residence when he was just six years old. "I love my Kashmir and want to return here but if atmosphere becomes favorable," Rajeev said. He said he visits the holy place each year and sometimes steals time to see his original house. What will you pray for today at the temple? "May this Kashmir be like what it was before," he replied.

 

Another devotee B J Tukra (35) a bank employee praised the hospitality exhibited by majority Muslim community during the festival, each year. "We’re thankful for the support and friendly gestures of our Muslim brothers," Tukra said. About the lesser number of devotees this year Tukra believed the recent attacks on tourists in Kashmir could be possible reasons behind this."

 

 Former MLC and National Conference leader Bhushan Lal Bhat. "We welcome all those who think Kashmiri Pandits are an important constituent of social fabric of Kashmir. He said"Kashmir issue needs a political resolution, now India and Pakistan is talking, India and Hurriyat is talking; let’s hope for the best."

 

Another devotee, Shiban Wali who visited the holy place along with his family, Expressed happiness over the hospitality shown by Kashmiri Muslim said: "It is really wonderful being here. I’m happy that Muslims and Hindus are together at a holy place." Vijay Kumar

 

 

 

The Deputy Chief Minister while interacting with Kashmiri Pandit pilgrims said the growing number of pilgrims every year is a welcome sign of even better days to come. He said the festival at Kheer Bhawani offers an opportunity for everyone to come back and rediscover their roots.

 

Tara Chand also went around different stalls put up by the State government and other social and religious organizations for the convenience of the devotees. Expressing satisfaction over the facilities made for pilgrims, he said the administration and locals have jointly made good efforts for comfortable stay of those coming to attend the Mela. “Events like this deepen the bonds of mutual brotherhood and symbolise true Kashmiriyat”, he said.