Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday praised Lt Governor Manoj Kumar Sinha and the Jammu and Kashmir government for successfully conducting the annual Kheer Bhawani Mela (Festival), which was celebrated with religious fervour and gaiety on Sunday in the village of Tumulla village in Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district.
Greeting devotees and other stakeholders a day after the main event, Shah, in a tweet said: ““The Kheer Bhawani Mela held on Jyeshtha Ashtami in Kashmir occupies a sacred place in the spiritual realm of Kashmiri Pandit sisters and brothers.”
“May the divine grace of Maa Kheer Bhawani always be with us,” the Home Minister further said, while adding that he was pleased to know that more than 25,000 devotees had attended the mela.
Extending his best wishes to Lt Governor Sinha and the UT administration, Shah congratulated Sinha, the paramilitary forces, J&K Police and the local administration for ensuring a safe and successful completion of the festival.
In his tweet, the Lt Governor said: “Heartiest greetings to all, especially to sisters & brothers from Kashmiri Pandit community, on the auspicious occasion of Jyeshtha Ashtami. May the blessings of Mata Kheer Bhawani continue to guide us in the path of righteousness & shower her blessings on all for years to come.”
On Sunday and Monday, the Ganderbal District administration and police remained on their toes, providing required facilities to all devotees.
Ganderbal Deputy Commissioner of Police Shyambir and Senior Superintendent of Police Nikhil Borkar personally monitored the overall security and administrative arrangements to ensure that the event passed off smoothly.
Borkar also extended his warm greetings to the police force and their respective families, besides the people of Ganderbal, wishing them on the auspicious occasion.
Various district units of political parties also provided services as a goodwill gesture for the devotees and also thanked the UT administration for conducting the event successfully.
Devotees from across the country thronged the revered temple on Sunday to pay obeisance to Mata Rangya Bawani, the presiding deity. The presence of Muslims during the festival is a reflection of the centuries-old bond of communal harmony that exists between Kashmiri Pandits and Muslims.
Nestled in the shade of mammoth Chinar trees, the Kheer Bhawani Temple witnessed a huge rush of devotees, mostly Kashmiri Pandits, on Sunday and Monday. Special prayers were held and devotees offered milk and Kheer (rice pudding) to the deity and the sacred spring below.
“Ganderbal comes alive with the spirit of togetherness as the Kheer Bhawani Mela brings devotees and tourists together, bound by a shared reverence for tradition,” a Kashmiri Pandit said.
“We have been coming here for the last two years and feel very happy here. Nature is overwhelming and attractive; the people here are very helpful and welcoming,” said another Kashmiri Pandit, who did not wish to be named.
A local Muslim said, “A sign of communal harmony is always revisited at this temple during the historical Mela, which has not only remained limited to the festival, but also provides an opportunity for local Muslims to reunite with the Pandit community who unfortunately had to migrate from their homeland three decades ago.”
Emotional scenes were witnessed between the two communities. This annual festival becomes a source of income as well for local Muslims who set up stalls outside the temple to sell everything needed to perform the rituals. The stalls are established by both men and women folk of the area.
The district administration made all the arrangements with the help of various departments. Other essential services and adequate medical facilities were also made available.
Kashmiri Pandit, Sonu Zeahti, said the colour of the spring was pink a fortnight back and now it is blue. “Blue signifies peace,” he said, and expressed the hope that there would be peace and tranquility in Jammu & Kashmir.
“If the spring turns red or black, it is seen as a bad omen,” he stated.
“This type of atmosphere is very overwhelming as our children are very happy here. Our children will meet local Kashmiris here and this meeting will strengthen their bond, which will benefit us as well. We have seen our own lives, but our children have to navigate society and this Mela provides them with a good platform,” he said.
Bilal Ahmad Wani said: "Today is the festival of our Pandit brothers and this festival represents brotherhood and peace. It unites everyone, whether they are Hindu, Sikh, Christian or Muslim. We can say it is a festival for everyone, not only Hindus.”