Ganderbal, June 17: The annual ‘Kheer Bhawani Mela’ will be observed on Friday in Tulmula area of central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district without any large public participation.
However the administration will allow gathering as per the guidelines issued by Disaster Management Authority on COVID containment measures, officials told the Greater Kashmir.
The annual event, one of the important festivals of Kashmiri Pandits, is celebrated on Zyestha Ashtami, which falls on Friday, June 18, this year. Due to COVID-19 pandemic there will be no congregation of the devotees this year.
Talking to the Greater Kashmir, Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal Kritika Jyotsna said that all required arrangements for the mela have been made, adding that Puja will be held wherein a limited number of devotees will be allowed to participate.
She said that as per guidelines and instructions issued by the Disaster Management Authority on COVID containment measures, a limited number of people will be allowed on the day of mela for a certain period of time.
“As per the guidelines, the ceiling on the number of people permitted to attend gatherings will be observed, the same has been conveyed to the representatives of the Dharmath Trust that manages the affairs of Kheer Bhawani shrine,” the DC said.
She said that earlier the representatives of the Dharmath Trust were assured all help and facilitation by the district administration for the mela.
Every year thousands of devotees used to arrive at the temple of Mata Ragnya Devi at Tulmulla, one of the holiest shrines of Kashmiri Pandits, in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district to celebrate the annual festival.
The mela has become a symbol of communal harmony as Muslims in the locality of Kheer Bhawani temple make all the arrangements for the devotees, including setting up of stalls for flowers and other offerings. However, for the last two years there have been no large celebrations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Former member legislative assembly and NC leader Sheikh Ishfaq Jabbar has greeted Kashmiri Pandits on eve of mela Kheer Bhawani.
LG extends greetings
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has extended his heartiest greetings on the eve of the auspicious occasion of Jyeshtha Ashtami to all people, especially Kashmiri Pandit community.
In his message, the Lt Governor said that Jyeshtha Ashtami holds immense religious importance for our Kashmiri Pandit brothers and sisters. The Kheer Bhawani Mela organised at Mata Kheer Bhawani Temple has become a symbol of communal harmony and brotherhood in Kashmir, over the years. The religious sanctity of Mata Kheer Bhawani Temple, constructed above a sacred spring has a special spiritual significance among the devotees from across the world.
Festival like Kheer Bhawani Mela are an example of pluralistic values of the land of Sufi Saints and Rishis, an abode of rich cultural harmony, spirituality and mysticism, the Lt Governor said. “May the blessings of Mata Kheer Bhawani bring sustained peace, development and prosperity in the UT, and well being & happiness in everyone’s life,” prayed the Lt Governor.