J-K: Security arrangements in full swing for annual Kheer Bhawani Mela in Ganderbal
The annual Kheer Bhawani Mela is scheduled for June 3 at Kheer Bhawani Temple. Security is heightened despite recent terror threats. Devotees express unwavering faith. Authorities ensure elaborate arrangements for the pilgrimage. Pilgrims highlight the emotional bond with the shrine. The government provides food, medical assistance, and accommodation.
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Elaborate security arrangements are in place for the annual Kheer Bhawani Mela , scheduled for June 3 at the revered Kheer Bhawani Temple in Tulmulla, Ganderbal district, officials said.Deputy Commissioner Jammu Sachin Kumar and Jammu IGP Bhim Singh flagged off over 60 buses carrying devotees to the annual Kheer Bhawani Mela, scheduled for June 3.Despite recent terror threats, large numbers of devotees are visiting the revered Mata Kheer Bhawani temple in Kashmir. Pilgrims, including many Kashmiri Pandits, expressed unwavering faith and said such attacks cannot deter their devotion.Authorities assured that elaborate security and logistical arrangements have been made for the smooth conduct of the annual pilgrimage.Rajesh Jyotsi, a devotee, said, "Mata Kheer Bhawani is our Kul Devi, and it's our sacred duty to visit her. We don't fear anything--this is our land. Attacks like these keep happening, but the arrangements here are excellent. I urge everyone to come and seek blessings."A first-time visitor, Saroj, also echoed the same sentiment. "This is my first visit. I had heard a great deal about this place. We are not afraid; these attacks are only meant to instil fear, and we must stand strong. I am not scared. There is no fear in visiting 'Mata'. The Pahalgam attack was unfortunate... But tourists should go. So, we should not be afraid".Arvind Karwani, Relief and Rehabilitation Commissioner, stated that the government has ensured all necessary facilities are provided to the pilgrims. "We've made arrangements for food, medical assistance, sanitation, and accommodation. There is also a halt facility at Ramban, where arrangements have been made. Over 60 buses have been deployed for the pilgrimage, and more are being added."Jammu SSP Joginder Singh said security and other arrangements were in place to ensure a peaceful and smooth yatra. "I extend best wishes to all pilgrims on this sacred occasion," he said.Rakesh Kaul, another devotee, highlighted the emotional bond of the Kashmiri Pandit community with the shrine. "Our connection with Mata Kheer Bhawani is age-old. We wait the entire year for this visit. People from across India are coming despite the prevailing fear of the last 36 years. The situation remains tough, but our faith in God is stronger. Those who are spiritually inclined should definitely come and experience this."The Mata Kheer Bhawani annual Mela at the famous Ragnya Devi temple near Srinagar.'Kheer'- a milk and rice pudding that is offered to propitiate the goddess. Kheer Bhawani is sometimes translated as 'Milk Goddess'. The worship of Kheer Bhawani is universal among the Hindus of Kashmir; most of them worship her as their protective patron deity, Kuladevi.This was followed by the attack in Pahalgam that occurred on April 22 at Baisaran meadow, where terrorists targeted tourists, killing 25 Indian nationals and one Nepalese citizen, and leaving several others injured. It was one of the deadliest attacks in the region since the 2019 Pulwama strike, which claimed the lives of 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel.India carried out precision strikes through Operation Sindoor on May 7 on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoJK in response to the Pahalgam terror attack last month, in which 26 people were killed. India also effectively responded to subsequent Pakistani aggression and pounded its airbases.
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India Gazette
2 days ago
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"Reflects communal harmony among Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians": J-K Congress chief on Kheer Bhawani Mela
Ganderbal (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], June 3 (ANI): Jammu and Kashmir Congress President Tariq Hameed Karra on Tuesday welcomed the celebration of the Kheer Bhawani Mela, saying that it reflects the deep-rooted tradition of communal harmony among Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, and Christians. Speaking to ANI, Karra said, 'Like every year, today's fair at the Mata Kheer Bhawani Temple reflects our deep-rooted tradition of communal harmony among Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, and Christians. Another testament to this unity was seen during the Pahalgam incident, where a Muslim child and 26 others were killed. Despite attempts by certain forces to disrupt this religious harmony, today's gathering is a clear reminder that Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Christians continue to stand together.' The Kheer Bhawani Mela is an important annual religious festival for the Kashmiri Pandit community. It is held at the Kheer Bhawani Temple in Tulla Mulla village of Ganderbal district. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Ragnya Devi, a form of Goddess Durga, and is considered one of the holiest sites for Kashmiri Hindus. Earlier today, National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah welcomed the celebration of both the Kheer Bhawani Mela and the Urs of Hazrat Mir Syed Ali Hamdani, calling it a symbol of communal harmony in Kashmir. He stressed the importance of unity for national progress. While speaking to ANI, Farooq Abdullah said, 'It is a matter of joy that the mela of Kheer Bhawani and Urs of Hazrat Mir Syed Ali Hamdani are being celebrated today. There has always been brotherhood in the valley. We want to see this brotherhood across the country. If we stay united, we will progress...' Abdullah also appealed to devotees to visit the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra, expressing concern over the drop in pilgrim numbers following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam. 'We should go to Mata Vaishno Devi in Katra and appeal to the people to visit there. There has been a decrease in the number of devotees to Mata Vaishno Devi. People are scared after the tragedy of war that took place recently. The impact of the Pahalgam incident was seen throughout the country...' Abdullah told ANI. Earlier, Abdullah had urged tourists to return to Jammu and Kashmir, stressing that the region seeks peace, not violence. He expressed concern over the negative impact of terror attacks on tourism and the livelihoods of people in places like Pahalgam, especially ahead of the annual Amarnath Yatra. Speaking to ANI in Pahalgam, Abdullah said, 'The Prime Minister has sent delegations (to various countries). May they send the message that we want peace and we are not in favour of war... Killing innocent people should be stopped.' He added that the local economy, especially in Pahalgam, has suffered due to the 'barbaric' April 22 attack.' 'This year, we expected crores of people to come, and we have no place to accommodate them. But unfortunately, those who killed innocent people did not see what would happen (to taxi drivers, hotel owners, pony owners)... We sell the beauty given by God and earn a living... We are very sad about what happened... Please come back, we are waiting for you (tourists)... 'Bholanath' is also waiting for you as Amarnath Yatra is about to start...', he said. (ANI)
Time of India
4 days ago
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Kashmiri Pandits begin journey to Kheer Bhawani
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India Gazette
4 days ago
- India Gazette
J-K: Undeterred by terror, pilgrims flock to Kheer Bhawani shrine in Kashmir
Jammu (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], June 1 (ANI): Despite prevailing fear in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, Operation Sindoor following that, devotees in large numbers are visiting the revered Mata Kheer Bhawani temple in Kashmir. Pilgrims, including many Kashmiri Pandits, expressed unwavering faith and said such attacks cannot deter their devotion. The annual Kheer Bhawani Mela will begin on June 3, 2025, at the revered Kheer Bhawani Temple in Tulmulla, located in the Ganderbal district of Kashmir valley. Authorities assured that elaborate security and logistical arrangements have been made for the smooth conduct of the annual pilgrimage. Rajesh Jyotsi, a devotee, said, 'Mata Kheer Bhawani is our Kul Devi, and it's our sacred duty to visit her. We don't fear anything--this is our land. Attacks like these keep happening, but the arrangements here are excellent. I urge everyone to come and seek blessings.' A first-time visitor, Saroj, also echoed a similar sentiment. 'This is my first visit. I had heard a great deal about this place. We are not afraid; these attacks are only meant to instill fear, and we must stand strong. I am not scared. There is no fear in visiting Mata. The Pahalgam attack was unfortunate, but tourists should go. So, we should not be afraid.' Arvind Karwani, Relief and Rehabilitation Commissioner, stated that the government has ensured all necessary facilities are provided to the pilgrims. 'We've made arrangements for food, medical assistance, sanitation, and accommodation. There is also a halt facility at Ramban, where arrangements have been made. Over 60 buses have been deployed for the pilgrimage, and more are being added.' Jammu SSP Joginder Singh said that security and other arrangements were in place to ensure a peaceful and smooth yatra. 'I extend best wishes to all pilgrims on this sacred occasion,' he said. Rakesh Kaul, another devotee, highlighted the emotional bond of the Kashmiri Pandit community with the shrine. 'Our connection with Mata Kheer Bhawani is age-old. We wait the entire year for this visit. People from across India are coming despite the prevailing fear of the last 36 years. The situation remains tough, but our faith in God is stronger. Those who are spiritually inclined should come and experience this.' The Mata Kheer Bhawani annual mela takes place at the famous Ragnya Devi temple in village Tulmulla, 25 kilometres off Srinagar. 'Kheer', a milk and rice pudding, is offered to propitiate the goddess. Kheer Bhawani is sometimes translated as 'Milk Goddess'. The worship of Kheer Bhawani is universal among the Hindus of Kashmir; most of them worship her as their protective patron deity, Kuladevi. This event follows the attack in Pahalgam that occurred on April 22 at Baisaran meadow, where terrorists targeted tourists, killing 25 Indian nationals and one Nepalese citizen, and leaving several others injured. The victims were picked on based on their religion. It was one of the deadliest attacks in the region since the 2019 Pulwama strike, which claimed the lives of 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel. In response, India carried out precision strikes through Operation Sindoor on May 7 on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoJK in response to the Pahalgam terror attack last month, in which 26 people were killed. India also effectively responded to subsequent Pakistani aggression and pounded its airbases. (ANI)
