New Delhi: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday extended greetings to the people on the occasion of Mela Kheer Bhawani, with CM Abdullah expressing hope that the displaced Kashmiri Pandit community will return to the valley with honour and dignity. The festival is officially celebrated on Jyestha Ashtami, on Tuesday.
In a profound display of faith and resilience, hundreds of Kashmiri Pandit devotees embarked on a sacred pilgrimage early Sunday morning from Nagrota, near Jammu, to participate in the annual Kheer Bhawani Mela. The devotees undeterred by the volatile security situation in Kashmir following the April 22, Pahalgam terror attack, are carrying out the pilgrimage with full devotion.
The Kheer Bhawani Mela holds special significance in the lives of Kashmiri Pandits. Dozens of devotees from across India gather to seek blessings of Kheer Bhawani Mata and perform rituals to reinforce their cultural identity. The fair acts as a symbol of resilience for the displaced members of the Kashmiri Pandit community. The Pandits have been upholding the traditions of the community despite the volatile situation in the valley since 1990s.
Cultural significance of Kheer Bhawani
Kheer Bhawani is the shrine of Goddess Ragnya, who is believed to be an incarnation of Goddess Durga. According to legend, Ravana of Lanka was a disciple of Goddess Ragnya, but the goddess, fed up with the king’s lifestyle, ordered her seat to be shifted to a far-off place.
Situated in Tullamulla town, the sanctum sanctorum of the temple is located in the center of a holy spring which is considered auspicious by Kashmiri Pandits. The color of the spring at the deity’s feet is believed to foretell future events—pink or milky water is seen as propitious, while black is considered a sign of disaster. It is said that the color of the spring turned black when Pakistani tribal raiders invaded Kashmir.
Every year, the festival is celebrated on Jyestha Ashtami. Kheer is offered to the deity by devotees, hence the name Mata Kheer Bhawani. Even after the exodus of local Pandit community due to armed conflict and terrorism, the community continue to gather to seek blessings from the goddess.
CM Omar prays for peace and harmony in Kashmir
Rakesh Kaul, a devotee, expressed the community’s resilience in the face of ongoing challenges. “Kashmiri Pandits eagerly await the day when we can visit Mata Kheer Bhawani. We have known this fear for 36 years,” Kaul said, referencing the Pahalgam attack that targeted tourists, including Hindu pilgrims.
The mela also helps sow the seeds of communal harmony as local Kashmiri Muslims also assist in the preparations, symbolizing harmony and brotherhood between the two communities.
“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.
