Thousands of migrant Kashmiri Pandits on Monday thronged the Kheer Bhawani temple in Tulmulla area of Ganderbal district on the occasion of Mela Kheer Bhawani and prayed for return to their homeland in an atmosphere of peace.
The devotees, singing hymns and chanting slogans, startedarriving on Sunday to the shrine nestled in the shade of mammoth Chinar trees.
Walking barefoot, the devotees carried rose petals andoffered tribute to the goddess as men took a dip in a stream close to theshrine.
The pilgrims, most of them Kashmiri migrant Pandits, camefrom Jammu and other parts of the country where they settled after themigration in 1990.
Shambu Nath, a Pandit who is a government employee and wasliving in Mattan, Anantnag, before migration to Jammu in 1991, said he yearnedfor a return home after peace prevails.
“In spite of prevailing tension in the Valley we are here toseek blessings of Mata Kheer Bhawani for everlasting peace and normalcy inKashmir. We are here to also meet our Muslim brethren,” said anotherKashmiri Pandit, Ashok Kaul.
Santosh Nath, who has been visiting the shrine for the pastseveral years, said he was glad to see both Muslims and Hindus makingarrangements for the festival.
“I am so happy that I came here. I prayed for peace andharmony,” said Nath who hails from Habba Kadal area of Srinagar.
Local residents, mostly Muslims, sell eatables and Pujamaterials to the pilgrims, a tradition reminiscent of the inclusive Kashmiriculture.
The government had made elaborate security arrangements forthe festival.
Several devotees said they hope Prime Minister Narendra Modiwould work for the community’s return to their homeland.
“We hope that Modi Ji keeps his promise of ensuringdignified return of displaced Kashmiri Pandits to their homeland,” said BKDas, a migrant Pandit.
Another devotee, AK Koul, who was living in Chahnapora areaof Srinagar before the migration, said, “I have been coming here everyyear. We want to come back and that desire would remain with me till I amalive.”
He was sceptical of the government’s claims of makingPandits return to Valley possible.
GOVERNOR PAYS OBEISANCE AT TEMPLE
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malikvisited Kheer Bhawani temple and paid obeisance.
Talking to reporters he said that this festival is a shiningexample of communal harmony and brotherhood.
“The holy festival epitomizes mutual brotherhood andcommunal harmony in the state which is a shining example of unity in diversityof cultures, regions and religions and we pray for the long lasting peace andharmony in state of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
He was accompanied by his Advisors Khurshid Ahmed Ganai, K KSharma and K Skandan.
FAROOQ ABDULLAH INTERACTS WITH DEVOTEES
National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah alsovisited Kheer Bhawani and interacted with devotees.
“It is good that Kashmiri Pandits have come here. I hopethat God will bring the Kashmiri Pandits back sooner so that they live here andso that all Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Christians live together,” Abdullah toldreporters.
Provincial president NC Nasir Aslam Wani, Party leaders DrSameer Kaul and Sheikh Ishfaq Jabbar also accompanied the party president.
BJP NATIONAL GENERAL SECRETARY VISITS TEMPLE
BJP national general secretary Ram Madhav also paidobeisance at the temple.
“I prayed that more and more Kashmir Pandits come here.I also prayed for the dignified return of Kashmiri Pandits to their homeland.We also vowed to establish peace and development in the Kashmir valley,”Madhav told reporters.
“We are thankful to the Muslims who help in making thefestival a success. We welcome all the devotees who have come here from acrossthe world. We are sure that more devotees will come for the Amarnath yatra thisyear,” Madhav said.
He was accompanied by MLC Surinder Ambardar, MLC Ajay Bhartiand Manzoor Bhat, media in charge Kashmir.
Among others who visited Kheer Bhawani on the occasion wereCongress state president Ghulam Ahmed Mir, district president Ganderbal Sahil Farooq, JKPM president Shah Faesal,Awami Itehad Party chairman Er Rasheed and PDP leader Ab Rehman Veeri and others.