 S Tahir-ul Haq
Early Times Report
SRINAGAR, June 10: The cultural ethos, traditions and sanctity was seen in a peaceful atmosphere after thousands of devotees including Kashmir Pandits from across the country paid obeisance with religious fervor and gaiety at the annual Mela Kheerbhawani celebrations at Tulmula area in central Kashmir's Ganderbal district.
As compared to the previous years, there were a large number of devotees from different parts of the country who thronged the place and took part in Annual celebrations, said R K Bhat. Bhat told early times that, on the directions of governor Satya Pal Malik all the arrangements for devotees were already put in place by the local administration, including police, civic bodies, PDD, PHE, Tourism and transport departments.
From yesterday evening, the prayers were held but the main Pooja was started today only, in which all people including youth, children women and old age persons participated. Mohan Lal who had come from Delhi said, "I prayed for peace and tranquility, we want to come to our valley and live like as we used to live almost three decades back with our Muslim brethren."
We hope that Goddess Kheer Bhawani will listen to our prayers; people don't want bloodshed, but peace over hatred and communal harmony, said a devotee. Annual Mela was celebrated amid chants of religious hymns and ringing of bells at temple of Goddess Kheerbhawani.
Yes today there was a huge gathering of devotees that had come from across the country, and it is being considered as biggest religious functions of the displaced community, especially of Kashmiri pandits who had left the valley amid high tension during nineties when militancy had erupted in valley.
A devotee from Rafiabad area told early times that, as for as the rich traditions and cultural ethos are concerned, the devotees carried rose petals and offered milk and kheer to the goddess and paid their rich tributes, and mostly they prayed for the peace in the valley.
While as the Muslims who are living here in the adjoining areas of Ganderbal had set up their stall for the devotees, they not only showed their love and respect for the displaced community, but have always set an example of brotherhood in the difficult times.
Earlier, Governor Satya Pal Malik also visited the Kheer Bhawani shrine to take part in the Mela.
Malik earlier observed that this Festival is a shining example of communal harmony and brotherhood, which have been the hallmarks of the glorious pluralistic ethos of Jammu and Kashmir in the centuries past.
Meanwhile, the Chinar Corps Commander Lt Gen KJS Dhillon today also visited the Kheer Bhawani Temple at Tulmulla and participated in "Ashtmi Pooja" of Mata Ragnya Devi and shared the 'Langar' with the devotees. |
