Latest news with #MelaKheerBhawani
Time of India
6 hours ago
- General
- Time of India
J&K: Kashmiri Pandits troop to Valley temple fair, revive return hopes
SRINAGAR: Farooq Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti and J&K LG Manoj Sinha joined hundreds of Kashmiri Pandits Tuesday at Mela Kheer Bhawani, an annual fair at an eponymous shrine in Ganderbal's Tulmulla, marking the largest gathering since the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and raising hopes of the displaced community's return to the Valley. LG Sinha interacted with people and extended warm greetings on the occasion. The shrine is known as Kheer Bhawani as devotees offer milk and kheer (milk pudding) to a sacred spring there which, the legend has it, changes colour. Pandits from across the country travel to the temple fair, around 35km from Srinagar, each year. 'Devotees in large numbers is a good sign. I think after the heinous (Pahalgam) terror attack on April 22, it is the first time that people in such large numbers have assembled at one place in Kashmir. May Mata Kheer Bhawani keep showering her blessings on J&K people,' Sinha said, vowing to make the pilgrimage safe and hassle-free. Sinha also announced that preparations were in full swing for the annual Amarnath Yatra this year from July 3 to Aug 9. 'We have made all arrangements for the security of yatris. I request pilgrims from across the country to come for the yatra,' Sinha said. PDP president Mehbooba cited the large Pandit throngs at Kheer Bhawani temple to reiterate her belief that guns were not the solution to Kashmir's issues. 'Kashmir issue cannot be resolved through military force or militants' guns. Political solution is the only way forward. There should be a political process. That process cannot be completed until our Kashmiri Pandit brothers and sisters return with due respect and settle in the Valley,' Mehbooba said. Farooq, president of J&K's governing National Conference (NC), echoed the views as he was greeted warmly at the fair. He stressed the 'urgent' need for return and resettlement of Pandits in the Valley, calling for land as well as proper housing facilities. He recalled that NC had during its past stints in office attempted such rehabilitation and expressed hope the situation would improve enough for Pandits to live in Kashmir as they once did. Kheer Bhawani temple was built by then monarch Pratap Singh in 1912. The spring there has held religious sanctity for Pandits over centuries, with many claiming its origin to Lord Rama's times.
The Hindu
13 hours ago
- General
- The Hindu
Devotees coming for Kheer Bhawani after Pahalgam attack a good sign: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday (June 3, 2025) described the large number of devotees attending the Kheer Bhawani Mela as a "good sign", especially in light of the recent terror attack in Pahalgam. "The devotees have come in large numbers to attend the Mela Kheer Bhawani. This is a good sign and this is the first time after April 22 that such a crowd has gathered at a place," Lieutenant Governor Sinha told reporters here after offering prayers at the Ragnya Devi temple here in Ganderbal district. Welcoming the devotees, the Lieutenant Governor assured that the administration has made good arrangements for the mela. "The work on yatri niwas is going on," he added. Regarding the annual Amarnath Yatra scheduled to begin on July 3, Lieutenant Governor Sinha confirmed that all preparations for the pilgrimage have been completed. "In terms of security as well, the security arrangements have been done and I appeal to the devotees from across the country to come here and take Baba's blessings," he said. The Kheer Bhawani mela will be held at five Ragnya Bhagwati shrines at Tulmulla in Ganderbal, Manzgam and Devsar in Kulgam, Logripora in Anantnag and Tikkar in Kupwara on Tuesday (June 3, 2025).
NDTV
15 hours ago
- General
- NDTV
"Good Sign": J&K Lt Governor As Devotees Attend Mela Kheer Bhawani
Tulmulla (J-K): Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday described the large number of devotees attending the Kheer Bhawani Mela as a "good sign", especially in light of the recent terror attack in Pahalgam. "The devotees have come in large numbers to attend the Mela Kheer Bhawani. This is a good sign and this is the first time after April 22 that such a crowd has gathered at a place," Mr Sinha told reporters here after offering prayers at the Ragnya Devi temple here in Ganderbal district. Welcoming the devotees, the LG assured that the administration has made good arrangements for the mela. "The work on yatri niwas is going on," he added. Regarding the annual Amarnath Yatra scheduled to begin on July 3, Mr Sinha confirmed that all preparations for the pilgrimage have been completed. "In terms of security as well, the security arrangements have been done and I appeal to the devotees from across the country to come here and take Baba's blessings," he said. The Kheer Bhawani mela will be held at five Ragnya Bhagwati shrines at Tulmulla in Ganderbal, Manzgam and Devsar in Kulgam, Logripora in Anantnag and Tikkar in Kupwara on Tuesday.
United News of India
18 hours ago
- Politics
- United News of India
Amid tight security, Kashmiri Pandits gather at Tulmulla Ganderbal
Srinagar, June 3 (UNI) A large number of Kashmiri Pandits gathered at Tulmulla in Jammu and Kashmir's Ganderbal district on Tuesday to participate in the annual Kheer Bhawani Mela, officials said. This year's celebration comes in the aftermath of the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of 25 tourists and a local. The attack has cast a shadow over the turnout at the festival, held at the revered Kheer Bhawani temple located around 27 km from Srinagar. The mela is among the most significant religious events for the Kashmiri Pandit community. Last year, over 25,000 devotees visited the temple to pay their respects. While this year's participation has been affected by security concerns, a considerable number of devotees still made their way to the shrine, with the air resonating with the chanting of hymns and the ringing of temple bells. To ensure the smooth and safe conduct of the festival, the Jammu and Kashmir administration has put in place elaborate arrangements. Officials said a heavy deployment of Jammu and Kashmir Police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel has been made in and around the temple premises. All approach roads to the shrine have been fully sanitised, officials said. Several political leaders have greeted the people on Mela Kheer Bhawani. UNI MJR PRS
The Print
a day ago
- Politics
- The Print
J-K: LG Sinha, CM Omar extend greetings to people on Mela Kheer Bhawani
'On the auspicious occasion of Jyeshtha Ashtami, I extend my heartiest greetings to everyone, especially our Kashmiri Pandit brothers and sisters,' the LG said. Mela Kheer Bhawani is being celebrated on Jyeshtha Ashtami on Tuesday. Srinagar, Jun 2 (PTI) Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday extended greetings to people on the occasion of Mela Kheer Bhawani, with Abdullah expressing hope the displaced Kashmiri Pandit community will return to the valley with honour and dignity. 'May the divine blessings of Mata Kheer Bhawani continue to illuminate our paths, ushering in peace, happiness, and prosperity for all. May the spirit of this sacred occasion further strengthen the bonds of brotherhood, fostering harmony and mutual respect across the communities. 'Let us on this auspicious day dedicate ourselves to selfless service to the nation and the welfare of people,' he said. Chief Minister Abdullah also extended warm greetings to the people on the occasion, an official spokesperson said. In his message, the chief minister said the festival is a symbol of communal harmony and brotherhood, reflecting the rich pluralistic ethos that has defined Jammu and Kashmir for centuries. Abdullah emphasized that such festivals reinforce the spirit of unity and the cultural heritage that binds the people of together. 'The Chief Minister prayed for peace, harmony, progress and prosperity in the state and urged all sections of society to strengthen the age-old bonds of togetherness and mutual respect,' the spokesperson said. Highlighting the significance of the occasion, Abdullah noted that Mela Kheer Bhawani has always stood as an epitome of inter-community harmony. The CM expressed hope that with the return of peace, Kashmiri Pandits would come back to their homeland with honour and dignity, reclaiming their rightful place in the valley's social and cultural fabric, the spokesperson said. PTI SSB KVK KVK This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
