Raja Syed Rather
Ganderbal, Jun 2: The annual Kheer Bhawani Mela commenced on Monday at the revered Kheer Bhawani Temple in Tullamulla, Ganderbal, drawing hundreds of devotees from across the country. The festival, held in honour of Goddess Ragnya Devi, marks a significant spiritual occasion for the Kashmiri Pandit community.
As pilgrims began to arrive, the atmosphere was one of devotion and hope. Security arrangements and facilities put in place by the local administration were widely appreciated by attendees.
“We are delighted to be here. The arrangements are excellent, and the atmosphere is peaceful. We want to visit Kashmir, and we pray for peace in the valley,” Suresh Bhat, a devotee from Jammu said.
Another pilgrim, Anjali Kaul, who returned to the valley after several years, remarked, “Hindus and Muslims are one. We hope for peace and harmony across the region.”
Ravi Raina, visiting from Delhi, added, “This temple is a symbol of our roots. Coming here fills us with hope. We want peace to prevail so that people of all faiths can live together as they once did.”
The Kheer Bhawani Mela continues to serve as a powerful reminder of Kashmir’s syncretic past, where communities came together in celebration and prayer. The festival will culminate on Tuesday with major rituals and offerings.
Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Vijay Kumar Bidhuri, SSP Traffic Rural Kashmir, R P Singh, and the District Administration Ganderbal, including Deputy Commissioner Jatin Kishore and SSP Khalil Poswal, visited the Kheer Bhawani temple to review the security and other arrangements for devotees.
Locals have set up stalls for devotees, offering a range of items for Puja, highlighting the deep-rooted cultural and communal harmony between the Hindu and Muslim communities.
The district administration in Ganderbal has established help desks to ensure that devotees receive necessary assistance and face no inconvenience during the annual Kheer Bhawani Mela.
