Latest news with #JyeshtaAshtami
The Hindu
03-06-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Farooq, Mehbooba, Karra join Pandit devotees at the Mata Kheer Bhawani temple in Kashmir
Prominent Jammu and Kashmir leaders, including Farooq Abdullah of the National Conference (NC), Mehbooba Mufti of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Tariq Hameed Karra of the Congress, on Tuesday joined hundreds of Kashmiri Pandits in paying obeisance at the Mata Kheer Bhawani temple on the occasion of Jyeshta Ashtami, amid the sense of unease and fear that was spread by the recent Pahalgam terror attack. Dr. Abdullah, accompanied by his senior party colleagues, drove to Ganderbal district in central Kashmir in the morning, and joined devotees at the temple. 'We took the blessings of Mata Kheer Bhawani. We are living in harmony; we will be living in harmony. We sent a message of happiness,' the NC president said. Mingling with the Pandit devotees, mainly those who fled the Kashmir Valley in the face of militancy in the 1990s, Dr. Abdullah prayed that the Kheer Bhawani Mela (fair) turn out to be a 'starting point for displaced brothers and sisters to return and settle down in Kashmir again'. 'Land and houses should be provided to Kashmiri Pandits. The government and the Centre should do the needful for their peaceful return. The situation is not the same as when former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh ensured employment for thousands of Kashmiri Pandits by offering them government jobs in Kashmir for their peaceful return,' Dr. Abdullah said. Claiming that there was a sense of fear among devotees visiting the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu after the recent India-Pakistan military confrontation, Dr. Abdullah appealed to people to visit the shrine. 'Don't fear. Visit the shrine,' he said. Ms. Mufti too joined the Pandit devotees in the visit to the shrine, and extended her wishes to the community on the occasion. She also paid floral tributes at the Kheer Bhawani temple pond, which is considered an auspicious ritual by the Pandit community. 'The PDP has always believed that guns or military interventions are not the solution. There should be a political process, that process cannot be completed until our Kashmiri Pandit brothers and sisters return with due respect and settle here,' the former J&K CM said. She said Kashmiri Pandits were an essential part of Kashmir. 'Pandits should return to Kashmir with dignity. They are an integral part of Kashmir. They have stakes in Kashmir,' Ms. Mufti said. Mr. Karra said the mela was 'a reflection of communal harmony, despite attempts to divide'. 'All communities stand united here. It is a reflection of the fact that Mahatma Gandhi also saw a ray of hope in Kashmir at the time of the Partition. Our [late] Prime Minister Manmohan Singh created a package that can still help in resolving the issues of Pandits, and ensuring their dignified return,' Mr. Karra said. The Kheer Bhawani Mela is the first major Hindu festival to take place in the Valley after the Pahalgam terror attack of April 22, which left 26 civilians dead. The incident has cast its shadow on the fair, evident in the thin attendance when compared with 2024. J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, however, termed the gathering a good omen. 'Devotees have come in large numbers to attend the Kheer Bhawani Mela. This is a good sign. This is the first time after April 22 that such a crowd has gathered at a place,' Mr. Sinha said. He said all the preparations for the upcoming Amarnath Yatra, which beings on July 3, were complete. 'Security arrangements have also been finalised. I appeal to devotees from across the country to come and take Baba's (Lord Shiva's) blessings,' Mr. Sinha added. Meanwhile, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, chairman of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference, in a statement said an interfaith dialogue 'must evolve into a moral movement rooted in justice — because peace without justice is just a pause, no more'. 'I urged faith leaders to rise above nationalism, protect diversity, and uphold the moral duty of the majorities towards the minorities. From Palestine to Kashmir, only justice, dialogue, and mutual respect can bring lasting peace, and end human suffering,' he said.
The Hindu
02-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Pahalgam attack casts shadow on turnoutat Kheer Bhawani
The Pahalgam terror attack has cast a shadow on the annual festival of Zyestha Ashtami at the Kheer Bhawani temple in Kashmir. According to official figures, the first batch of Kashmiri Pandit devotees, who have come from several parts of the country to Kashmir for the festival, has fallen to 2,500 this year compared to around 4,500 last year. In total, over 30,000 devotees paid obeisance at the temple last year. Additional security However, a subdued response to the key festival of Kashmiri Pandits is evident in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, which left 26 civilians dead. Extra security arrangements have been made this year for the festival, officials said. Congress leader Karan Singh on Monday (June 2, 2025) urged devotees to attend the festival in large numbers. 'All necessary security arrangements are in place in Kashmir, especially in Tulmulla area of Ganderbal district, home to the Kheer Bhawani temple,' Mr. Singh, who paid obeisance on Monday, said. 'This place is a great blessing of the Goddess. We must not be afraid and must show the world that we are strong in our faith. People of Kashmir have suffered the most during the conflict. All need to rise above fear and support the region's revival by participating in religious and cultural events,' he added. The Kheer Bhawani festival falls on the auspicious occasion of Jyeshta Ashtami and is being organised at Tulmulla in Ganderbal, Tikker in Kupwara, Devsar and Manzam in Kulgam and Logripora in Anantnag. Former J&K Chief Minister and Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti said, 'The festival has historically been a remarkable example of communal harmony. Even during the challenging years following the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits from the Valley, local Kashmiri Muslims took on the responsibility of maintaining and protecting the Kheer Bhawani shrine, ensuring its sanctity was preserved. This act of care and devotion underscores the deep ties of mutual respect and coexistence that have defined the relationship between the two communities.' With a sense of fear looming large this year post-Pahalgam attack and the four-day military confrontation between India and Pakistan, local politicians have come forward to encourage Pandits to visit the Valley temples. 'The festival has historically been a remarkable example of communal harmony. Even during the challenging years following the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits from the Valley, local Kashmiri Muslims took on the responsibility of maintaining and protecting the Kheer Bhawani shrine, ensuring its sanctity was preserved. This act of care and devotion underscores the deep ties of mutual respect and coexistence that have defined the relationship between the two communities,' former J&K chief minister and Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti said. J&K Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari said the Kheer Bhawani Mela has been the symbol of Kashmir's pluralistic ethos for centuries. 'This sacred festival has played a vital role in fostering communal harmony, brotherhood, and mutual respect among the diverse communities,' he said. Officials said the district administration has made elaborate facilities for devotees. 'To cater to the food and water needs of the pilgrims, langar services and drinking water points have been ensured. Health facilities including the presence of medical teams and ambulances remain on standby throughout the Mela. Moreover, mobile ATMs have been made available to ensure financial convenience for the devotees,' an official said.
