In 2022, the targeted killing of Kashmiri Pandits and others across the Kashmir Valley had cast a dark shadow over Mata Kheer Bhawani Temple festivities. Though about 18,000 people still managed to visit the holy sites, it was undertaken with anxiety.
On Sunday, however, the grim past was pushed into the background as thousands of Kashmiri Pandits excitedly made their way to the five shrines (Ragnya Bagwati at Tulmulla in Ganderbal, Ragnya Bagwati at Manzgam in Kulgam, Tripursundri at Devsar in Kulgam, Ragnya Bagwati at Logripora in Anantnag and the Ragnya Bagwati at Tikkar in Kupwara) to pay obeisance to presiding deities.
Walking barefoot, devotees carried rose petals, milk and Kheer (rice-milk pudding) as offerings of tribute to Goddess Ragnya Bagwati/Tripursundri. Men took a dip in the stream located close to the shrine amidst the chanting of hymns within the temple compound nestled in the shade of Kashmir’s famed Chinar trees.
In ancient Indian literature, the Kheer Bhawani festivities are also known as Jyestha Ashtami, which refers to the eighth day of the waxing half of Hindu month of Jyestha that is observed in the months of May and June. Devotees use this period to honour their patron Goddess Ragnya Devi.
“Located about 25 kilometres from Srinagar, the main Ragnya Bagwati marble temple complex at Tulmulla in Ganderbal District overlooks a pool formed by hot spring waters, which is famous for its changing colours.
She is our deity. It is an important day for us. Without offering obeisance to her on the occasion of her birth anniversary, our prayers are incomplete. The deity has taken the form of water here. The colour of the stream keeps on changing when something happens,” a Kashmiri Pandit devotee said.
It is widely believed that the colour of the sacred spring water stream which flows below the temple points to the situation in the Kashmir Valley. While most colours do not have any particular significance, it is believed that when the stream’s water turns black or dark, or red, it is a warning for inauspicious/bloody times in Kashmir. This year, the water has been clean and white.
Some devotees spoken too said that the situation in the valley has improved considerably after the revocation of Special Status for J&K.
Informed sources said about 125 to 150 buses were used to take devout Kashmiri Pandits to the five shrines. Ninety five of these buses were used to ferry pilgrims to Tulmulla, 23 buses for Tikker, three were sent to Manzgam, two each to Logripora and Martand.
Cutting across party lines, J&K leaders spoke eloquently about the festival’s essence.-
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said: “Heartiest greetings to the people, especially to sisters and brothers from Kashmiri Pandit community on the auspicious occasion of Jyeshtha Ashtami. Prayers to Mata Kheer Bhawani for the well-being, peace and prosperity for all. May the blessings of Mata Kheer Bhawani continue to guide us in the path of righteousness and shower her blessings on all for years to come?”
The festival, he said, symbolises Jammu and Kashmir’s rich spiritual and cultural heritage, and is an inspiration for living a virtuous life.
Former chief minister and PDP President Mehbooba Mufti said the festival “exemplifies the bonhomie and harmonious coexistence between the Kashmiri Pandits and Kashmiri Muslims, transcending religious boundaries and fostering communal harmony”.
Mufti further said that it is a time when all communities exchange greetings and share their rich traditions and customs. The festival epitomises J&K’s syncretic ethos and a shared love for this land.
Jammu & Kashmir National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah said: “I extend warm greetings to the people, particularly to my Kashmiri Pandit brethren, and pray that the festivities act as a harbinger of peace and prosperity in the region.”
NC Vice President Omar Abdullah said: “Mela Kheer Bhawani (Zyeth Atham) Mubarak to our Kashmiri Pandit brethren everywhere. The ancient festival is a lustrous example of communal harmony and brotherhood which symbolize the centuries past glorious pluralistic ethos of Jammu and Kashmir…. It reflects the closely-knit fabric of Kashmiri culture and ethos. I hope and pray the solemn occasion further strengthens the sense of kinship and unity among the people.”
J&K Apni Party leader and Srinagar Mayor Junaid Azim Mattu said the festival “is a beautiful reminder of our shared history and culture”.
“The festival is also a symbol of hope and resilience, as it is held in the backdrop of unimaginable challenges that our Kashmiri Pandit brothers and sisters have faced,” he added.
Former union minister and Chairman of the Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) Ghulam Nabi Azad said the festival reflects the age-old tradition of bonhomie between Kashmiri Pandits and Muslims.
He urged the UT administration to provide all required facilities to the devotees visiting Tulmulla or other revered places in Kashmir.
Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari, another J&K Apni Party leader, said the festival has always served as a powerful symbol of the pluralistic ethos deeply rooted within the vibrant community of Kashmiris.
“For centuries, Kheer Bhawani festival has symbolised Kashmir’s rich pluralistic ethos and has been the reason for Kashmiri people from various religious identities coming together to celebrate it,” Bukhari added.
Chairman of the J&K Peoples Democratic Front (JKPDF) and former minister Hakeem Muhammad Yaseen echoed similar sentiments.
Earlier in the day, the UT administration had said that it was expecting around 50,000 pilgrims to visit the Kheer Bhawani shrines across the region this year. It said local inhabitants residing close to the shrine would be giving a warm welcome to all pilgrims, i.e., with garlands, flower petals, snacks and water.
The administration also said tight security was in place around each of the temples and adjoining localities to prevent untoward incidents. Additional Director General of Police (Kashmir), Vijay Kumar, said: “Ganderbal Police has made very good security arrangements. Srinagar police had also deployed ROP (road opening parties). There is fool-proof security and the locals have supported the police well.”