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Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Kashmiri Pandits begin journey to Kheer Bhawani
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Srinagar: Hundreds of devotees arrived in Kashmir Valley on Sunday to attend the Mela Kheer Bhawani in Ganderbal district of central Kashmir on June administration has made elaborate arrangements to ensure the safety and security of devotees to attend the annual festival of the Kashmiri Pandits that attracts devotees from across the country and from some foreign countries as annual Zeshta Ashtami festival known as Kheer Bhawani Mela , one of the important festivals of the Kashmiri Pandits will be held at Kheer Bhawani temple at Tulmulla in central Kashmir's Ganderbal district. The festival will also be celebrated at Ragnya Bhagwati shrines at Manzgam and Devsar in Kulgam, Logripora in Anantnag and Tikkar in Kupwara on the same is the first major event in Kashmir after the Pahalgam attack on April 22, in which 25 Indians and a Nepalese citizen were killed. The attack put a stop to the bustling tourist activity across J&K and triggered an escalation of tension between India and officials flagged off a convoy of around 60 busses majorly carrying Kashmiri Pandits, from Jammu on Sunday morning that reached Kashmir Valley in the evening. However, due to the prevailing uncertainty in the Valley, the number of devotees may be significantly less compared to recent devotees will perform 'darshan' at the temples on Tuesday and will return to Jammu a day later. Inspector General of Police in Kashmir, VK Birdi, also conducted a detailed review of the security setup both within and around the temple premises. Birdi directed all senior district officers to maintain the highest level of alertness, ensure robust access control measures, and provide all essential amenities to facilitate a peaceful and spiritually fulfilling experience for the devotees."We come here regularly and despite the situation decided to come again this year. Faith cannot be constrained by any situation and we shall overcome this as well," said Shamlal Bhat, a migrant and devotee currently in Jammu. He said this is our chance of "reunion with the homeland" which cannot be missed.
Deccan Herald
6 days ago
- General
- Deccan Herald
Hundreds of Kashmiri Pandit devotees leave for Kheer Bhawani mela
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.
The Print
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Print
Hundreds of Kashmiri Pandit devotees leave for Kheer Bhawani mela
The usual rush of devotees was missing this year, presumably due to the Pahalgam terror attack and the military action between India and Pakistan following it. 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. Jammu, Jun 1 (PTI) Amid tight security arrangements, hundreds of people, mostly Kashmiri Pandits, left for the Valley in a convoy of 60 buses early Sunday from here to take part in the Kheer Bhawani mela, one of the biggest religious functions of the community. Kashmiri Pandits from the Valley and other parts of the country gathered in huge numbers at the Kheer Bhawani temple at Tulmulla. Relief Commissioner (Migrants) Arvind Karwani along with Deputy Commissioner, Jammu Sachin Kumar Vaishya and senior police officers jointly flagged off the convoy of Road Transport Corporation (RTC) buses from Nagrota on the outskirts of Jammu this morning. The devotees will perform 'darshan' at the temples on Tuesday and will return to Jammu a day later. Senior Superintendent of Police, Jammu Joginder Singh said all required security arrangements have been made for the pilgrims. 'All arrangements are in place for the pilgrims with regard to their safety and security and boarding and lodging en route and in the Valley,' Relief Commissioner Karwani said. Fewer devotees have turned up for the mela as compared to last year. Tourists were targeted in the terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22. Most of the 26 people killed in the attack were tourists. India and Pakistan were on the brink of a full-fledged war after the attack. On the intervening night of May 6 and 7, Indian armed forces carried out missile strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The two countries were engaged in an intense military conflict for four days and reached an understanding to halt all firing on the evening of May 10. Shruti Dhar, an elderly devotee, said: 'I am a regular visitor to Kheer Bhawani and have no fear of going there this time around. We have been witnessing such situations from our childhood days. Whatever happened in Pahalgam is highly condemnable and barbaric.' Dhar, who had migrated from Sanat Nagar in Srinagar to Jammu, said she is happy to join the caravan and offer her prayers at the temple to seek blessings and pray for the prosperity of J&K, the country and the return of Pandits to the Valley. Saroj, a non-Kashmiri married to a Kashmiri Pandit, said this was her first visit to the Valley and there is no fear in her mind. 'Kashmir is part of India and the (Pahalgam) attack was possibly an attempt by the terrorists to frighten us. We have to defeat their designs and visit the place in good numbers,' she said. Delhi-based Raj Kumar, also a member of the displaced community, said the government should be more alert to prevent Pahalgam type of incidents. Sarla Bhat said she is happy to visit her birthplace in Kashmir. 'I have full faith in Mata that we will complete the pilgrimage without any trouble.' PTI TAS TAS SKY SKY This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
