Modi, Shah extend greetings
TULMULLA (Kashmir), June 10: Hundreds of Kashmiri Pandit devotees prayed at the famous Ragnya Devi temple here in Ganderbal district today as the Kheer Bhawani mela was celebrated amid chants of religious hymns and ringing of temple bells.
Nestled in the shade of mammoth Chinar trees in Tulmulla village, the temple witnessed a massive gathering of devotees, most of them Kashmiri Pandits, who have journeyed from across the country. The Kheer Bhawani mela is one of the biggest religious functions of the displaced community.
Walking barefoot, the devotees carried rose petals and offered tribute to the Goddess as men took a dip in the stream close to the shrine.
People jostled with each other to move closer to the main temple complex and offered milk and kheer (pudding) at the sacred spring.
It is believed that the colour of the water in the spring, which flows below the temple, is an indication of the Valley’s well-being.
Black or darkish colour of the water is believed to be a sign of inauspicious times for Kashmir. However, the water in the spring this time was clean and milky white.
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The mela passed off peacefully as elaborate security arrangements had been made for the devotees who thronged the temple from across the country.
National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah also visited the shrine. “It is good that Kashmiri Pandits have come here. I hope that God will bring the Kashmiri Pandits back sooner so that they live here and so that all Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Christians live together,” he told reporters.
BJP national general secretary Ram Madhav told media persons that he prayed for the return of Kashmiri Pandits to the Valley. “I prayed that more and more Kashmiri Pandits come here,” he said.
The BJP leader said that the Muslims in the locality deserve appreciation for lending a helping hand for the festival.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today wished the Kashmiri Pandit community on the occasion of Jyeshtha Ashtami, hoping for peace and prosperity everywhere.
The Prime Minister tweeted his greetings in Kashmiri and English.
“Jyesht Ashtami hund chu tohe saarni Mubarak! Lassiv te Phalliv (Greetings to all on Jyeshtha Ashtami. Be blessed and Prosper),” he wrote.
“May the blessings of Mata Kheer Bhawani give strength to everyone and may there be peace as well as prosperity everywhere,” the PM added.
Home Minister and BJP president Amit Shah also extended Jyeshtha Ashtami greetings to Kashmiri Pandit community. (PTI)
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