NEW DELHI: Around 18,000 Kashmiri Pandits and devotees visited the shrine of Mata Kheer Bhawani in Ganderbal, Jammu and Kashmir, on Wednesday to pay obeisance to their revered deity on the occasion of Jyeshtha Ashtami, according to the Union home ministry. This comes in spite of the recent killings of minorities, including Kashmiri Hindus, in the Valley by the terrorists.
Kheer Bhavani Mela is organized at Mata Kheer Bhavani Temple in Tulmulla, Ganderbal every year coinciding with Jyeshtha Ashtami, with devotees from different parts of J&K visiting the holy shrine.
However, the event — which has over the years become a symbol of communal harmony and brotherhood in Kashmir Valley — could not be held for the past two years on account of Covid pandemic. This year, not only was the event held amid elaborate security arrangements monitored by J&K LG Manoj Sinha himself, but the shrine also received a good traffic of devotees. As many as 2,500 Kashmiri Pandits participated in the evening aarti, as per figures shared by the home ministry.
The success of Kheer Bhawani event augurs well for the upcoming Amarnath yatra, also being held after a gap of two years. The Centre and J&K government are preparing for the annual pilgrimage with full energy and enthusiasm, with a senior J&K functionary recently making it clear that the yatra would go ahead notwithstanding the recent killings of minorities, which will be tackled with a revised security strategy.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday greeted Kashmiri Pandits on the occasion of Jyestha Ashtami. In a tweet he said, "Happy Jyestha Ashtami to all, especially Kashmiri Pandit sisters and brothers. We pray to Mata Kheer Bhavani for everyone's well-being and prosperity."
Home minister Amit Shah too wished the Kashmiri Pandits on Jyeshtha Ashtami and said that it is a special festival of worshiping Maa Kheer Bhavani. “On this holy festival, I extend warm greetings to all Kashmiri Pandit brothers and sisters and pray for the progress and prosperity of the country by bowing at the feet of Maa Kheer Bhavani,” he tweeted.
J&K LG Sinha, extending his warm greetings to the Kashmiri Pandit community, said: “This auspicious occasion is a celebration of religious life, love, compassion and harmony. Let us pray to Mata Kheer Bhavani to guide us on the path of righteousness and bring peace, happiness and prosperity to our land”.
As part of special arrangements for the annual Kheer Bhavani event this year, a free bus service was run from Srinagar airport, Tourist Reception Centre, Dal Lake side Nehru Park, Shankaracharya Temple, Shivpora, Bibi Cantt, Indira Nagar and other areas where Hindu communities live in large numbers.
An MHA statement on Wednesday said that full attention was given to ensure that devotees do not face any problem. Parking facility was provided for vehicles near the temple premises, it added.
Several NGOs and civil society also made arrangements to provide wheelchairs and other aids for the convenience of the devotees at the fair.
Special health check-up stalls were set up by the J&K health department, with many devotees taking consultations.