Tulmulla, June 22: Thousands of Kashmiri Pandits on Monday thronged the Ragnya Devi temple in Tulmulla in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district to celebrate the annual Kheer Bhawani Mela.
A multi-layer security ring was thrown around the temple complex and along the route leading to the shrine.
The temple, nestled in the shade of mighty chinar trees in this village of the central Kashmir district, wore a festive look as devotees from across the country congregated at the shrine complex to celebrate the mela on the occasion of 'Jyeshta Ashtami'.
Walking barefoot and carrying rose petals, devotees jostled with each other to move closer to the main temple complex as devotional songs played in the temple compound.
The devotees offered tribute to the goddess, as men took a dip in the stream close to the shrine. The devotees paid obeisance to the deity while offering milk and 'kheer' (rice pudding) at the spring within the complex.
It is believed that the colour of the sacred spring water, which flows below the temple, indicates the situation in the valley.
While most of the colours do not have any particular significance, black or darkish colour of the water is believed to be an indication of inauspicious times for Kashmir.
However, the water in the spring was clean and milky white this year.
The devotees prayed for peace and brotherhood in the valley.
"A huge number of devotees arrived for the Mela this year. I prayed that the deity keep everyone happy, safe and let peace be there," Chinmay Pandita, a devotee from Jammu, said.
Locals opened not only their homes but also hearts for the visiting devotees.
On the support of the local Muslim community, Pandita said the locals have always supported the celebrations.
"There is a tremendous support of the locals at every level. They are very supportive," he said.
Another devotee, Mansi, expressed satisfaction over the arrangements.
"The administration has made very good arrangements. Security arrangements are top notch. There is deployment at every place. No doubt, there are very good security arrangements, but otherwise also, we did not feel any fear. The atmosphere is very good," she said.
For many migrant Kashmiri Pandits, the mela was not merely a religious journey but an emotional return to their roots.
Roopa, 78, originally from Srinagar and now settled in Bengaluru, said she prayed for an end to the community's exile and hoped to spend her final years in her homeland.
Prem Nath, a native of Kilam village in south Kashmir who is now settled in Mumbai, said, "We prayed collectively for the return of our community to its homeland in a safe and secure environment".
Rattan Lal Zutshi, president of the Kulvagishori Temple Association, urged the government to take concrete steps towards rehabilitation of the community.
"We want immediate measures for establishing a secure township and facilitating the dignified return of Kashmiri Pandits to the Valley," he said.
Emotional scenes unfolded at the shrine as local Muslims warmly greeted visiting Kashmiri Pandits, rekindling memories of their shared past and centuries-old bonds of coexistence.
Many 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.
Shabir Ahmad Dar, a resident of Budgam, said he had come to meet his childhood friend Deepak, now settled in the United States.
"This is his first visit after many years, and our reunion came after 36 years," Dar said.
He said the meeting was deeply emotional as they recalled their childhood and life in Kashmir before the migration of Pandits from the Valley.
Several similar reunions were witnessed at the temple 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.