Srinagar, June 7 :Despite recent targeted killings of Hindus and non locals in the valley, Kashmiri Pandits in large numbers reached Tulmulla in Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday to participate in the Mata Kheer Bhawani festival.
The district administration has placed a three tier security arrangements for the safety of devotees at Kheer Bhawani.
The Mela is organised each year on the occasion of “Jyeshtha Ashtami” which falls on Wednesday this year. The fair will take place after two years of Covid-19 restrictions.
About 1,500 Kashmiri Pandits reached Tulmulla last night and performed individual pooja of Goddess Kheer Bhavani, Basant Razdan, the manager of Dharmarth Trust told UNI.
Razdan said all arrangements have been made for the yatris for their night halt by the Trust. More devotees are on their way and are likely to reach Tuesday evening to participate in night long prayers — bhajans and kirtans at the temple.
“Special prayers for a prosperous Kashmir and Kashmiriyat would be held during the night,” Razdan said and added “Kashmiriyat is here, was and will remain for ages to come”.
He said there is only one motto of “Kashmiriyat” that we want to renew again. “We will pray like earlier. We stayed together with our Muslim brothers and sisters, will again spend our lives together with them in Kashmir,” Razdan added.
He said the local Muslims have also put up their stalls traditionally and sell flowers, milk and other pooja items for the pilgrims.
“There are some culprits and miscreants who are bent on creating disturbances. They would always try to derail the peace process for their own nefarious gains,” Razdan said and added “But together we will not allow them to be successful”.
“If there was anything missing in the past two years it was the pilgrims,” Razdan said and added “we should not show our anger to Bhagwan or Khuda”. All should come to celebrate the Mela Kheer Bhawani here, he added.
