Tulmulla (Ganderbal), June 19: Over 40,000 Kashmir Pandits today thronged the ancient Kheer Bhawani temple near Srinagar, making it the biggest congregation of the community in the valley since their exodus 21 years back.
Pandits, including women and children, converged at the temple, some 20 kms from Srinagar, from various far-off places including Delhi and Jammu, to offer special prayers on the occasion of annual Holy day ‘Zyeshth Ashtami’.
The scenic most revered shrine of Pandits reverberated with hymns chanted by the pilgrims. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, his family and several ministers joined the pilgrims on the occasion. Emotional scenes were witnessed as local Muslims greeted the Pandits by embracing them.
The state government had made special arrangements for the occasion and student volunteers along with local Muslims were offering assistance to the pilgrims.
PARVAIZ RESHI ADDS:

Recalling his past, Kanyalal Raina, who left Valley on 19th of March, 1990, said, “We wish to come back provided Government makes suitable arrangements for our safe return. I am very keen to spend rest of my life here in Kashmir.”
Raina said that he visited the valley for the first time after migration and he was elated to see the huge number of Pandits participating in the mela.
Raina said that he along with his family members prayed for peace in Jammu and Kashmir and he believes old days of peace will return soon.
Equally elated over the arrival of Pandits, the locals of Tulmulla, Nunar and other areas of Ganderbal were seen waiting for the arrival of their neighbours who have left the valley. “I am waiting for Shri K.L Bhan to come here who has promised to spend one night at my residence,” visibly happy Muhammad Sultan of Ganderbal said.
Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather, Minister for Rural Development Ali Muhammad Sagar, Minister of State for Tourism Nasir Aslam Wani, Chief Minister’s political advisor Mubarak Gul, MLC Sheikh Ghulam Rasool, senior CPI(M) leader Muhammad Yousuf Tarigami and state police chief Kuldeep Khoda also visited the shrine to welcome the devotees.
State Congress President Prof. Saifuddin Soz has felicitated Pandits on the occasion of Zyeshth Ashtami. “My heartiest greetings to Pandit brethren across J&K for Mela Khirbawani which Pandit Community celebrated this year also with traditional devotion and dedication. It was a heart warming situation that very large number of Kashmiri Muslims attended the Mela and greeted their Pandit brothers and sisters. This event has once again reminded Kashmiris of their age-old tradition of togetherness which is a hallmark of Kashmiriyat,” Soz said in a statement.
Peoples Democratic Party patron Mufti Muhammad Sayed has also felicitated Pandits on the occasion.

Lastupdate on : Sat, 19 Jun 2010 21:30:00 Mecca time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 19 Jun 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 20 Jun 2010 00:00:00 IST