Thousands of Kashmiri Pandits and devotees visited the Mata Kheer Bhawani Temple on the auspicious occasion of Jyeshtha Ashtami at Tulmulla, Ganderbal. This annual event, celebrated with great religious fervor, brought together devotees from across Jammu and Kashmir to pay obeisance at the holy shrine.
Kheer Bhawani Mela, a symbol of communal harmony and brotherhood in Kashmir, is held at the revered Mata Kheer Bhawani Temple. The temple, built atop a sacred spring, holds immense spiritual significance for Kashmiri Pandit devotees worldwide.
This year's festival saw enthusiastic participation, with devotees praying for themselves and humanity at large. Senior officers from the UT administration and police, including Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo and Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Vijay Kumar Bidhuri, visited the temple and paid obeisance there.
The festival witnessed the participation of mostly Kashmiri Pandits performing rituals, while local Muslims extended greetings and assisted with arrangements, reinforcing the spirit of communal harmony. The District Administration of Ganderbal ensured comprehensive arrangements for the smooth conduct of the mela.
Provisions included uninterrupted power and drinking water supplies, transportation, security, fire tenders, ration, bedding, and medical facilities. Additionally, free transport was provided for devotees on various routes. Several NGOs and civil society organizations contributed to the event by offering wheelchairs and other aids to facilitate the convenience of the devotees.
In a significant initiative, the District Administration Ganderbal, in collaboration with the District Information Centre Ganderbal, facilitated the live streaming of the Mela Kheer Bhawani event on YouTube. This effort allowed devotees who could not attend in person to participate virtually, ensuring wider accessibility to the spiritual experience.