Traditional Hindu-Muslim brotherhood revive at ancient cave temple of Lord Shiva in South Kashmir

Thajiwara –Bijbehara (Kashmir) August 06 (Vijay Kumar) – Thousands of displaced Kashmiri Pandits who arrived here from Jammu took part in Yatra and offered prayers on Thursday at the holy cave temple of Lord Shiva in south Kashmir . The ancient holy cave temple, popularly known as Chota Amarnath at Thajiwara, Bijbehara in Anantnag district.south Kashmir

It is worth mentioning that ancient cave of Lord Shiva is one of the most prominent religious shrines of the Kashmir valley. This Asthapan is believed to be inseparable part of holy cave of Swami Amarnathji, which has similar religious importance.

It is the peace process of a different kind but the most effective one to the extent that local Muslims has been extending full cooperation to the Kashmiri Pandits.
The initiative in this regard was taken by the Managing Committee of Devesthan Prabandak committee (DPC),Bijbehara, to bring the Muslim brethren and Kashmiri Pandits closer through two days festival.

Through this festival an attempt has been made to to revive the temples of this Tehsil as well as old brotherhood between KP’s and Kashmiri Muslims said secretary of the Prabandhak committee Prof M LTikko.

Mohd Aslam, a local resident in the area expressed happiness while welcoming a group of Kashmiri Pandits visiting the revered shrine for the second time after it was closed. Remembering good old days Mohd Aslam went back in time machine and narrated his past experiences how members from both the communities used to work for the festival days ahead. “We miss our brothers read Kashmiri Pandits here in Kashmir. We may not be living together in the area but we still maintain cordial relations and our bond remains the same.

Large number of local residents from the area thronged the place to have a glimpse of the festivities and utilized the occasion to reunite with their old friends presently living in other areas.”We are incomplete without each other,” the members from both the communities said in when they saw each other.

A fifty year old Hindu woman Pyariji, of Bijbhera could not hold tears in her eyes soon after reaching the shrine. There she met large number of local people with whom their family stayed in Bijbehera before they migrated at the peak of militancy. She exchanged warm hugs and good wishes during her two day stay at the shrine complex. “I am very happy I could come here and visit the famous shrine .I got a life time opportunity to reunite with my old friends”, Pyariji said.

Suhail Shah Khaki said “ it was a touching moment to see members of both the communities greeting each other .He said the occasion served as a platform for interaction between Muslims and Hindus after a long gap adding that such gatherings will help bridge the gulf the two communities and pave the way for restoration of peace ”,he said

Managing Committee of Devesthan Prabandak Committee thanked and appreciated the co-operation given by the local Muslims, MLA Bijbehara,district and tehsil administration, Chairman, Municipal Committee,Bijbehara and President ,Prohit Sabha Martand for providing all necessary arrangements and facilities for the pilgrims.

Senior district and police officials also paid visit to the shrine along with President and members of Municpil Committee ,Bijbehara and participated in the festivities.

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