Under the watchful eye of heightened security forces, hundreds of Kashmiri Pandits on Sunday set off from Jammu in a convoy of 60 buses bound for the Kashmir Valley to attend the revered Kheer Bhawani Mela — one of the most significant religious observances for the displaced community.
The festival, scheduled for Tuesday, will be held at five prominent Ragnya Bhagwati shrines: Tulmulla in Ganderbal, Manzgam and Devsar in Kulgam, Logripora in Anantnag, and Tikkar in Kupwara.
The annual pilgrimage, which in recent years had seen a growing influx of devotees, witnessed a marked dip this year, possibly attributed to the recent terror strike in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives, mostly tourists, and triggered a four-day military standoff between India and Pakistan.
Nevertheless, the spirit of devotion remained unshaken as local Kashmiri Pandits and those travelling from across India gathered in large numbers at the temple complex in Tulmulla.
Relief Commissioner (Migrants) Arvind Karwani, Deputy Commissioner Jammu Sachin Kumar Vaishya, and senior police officials jointly flagged off the Jammu and Kashmir Road Transport Corporation (JKRTC) convoy from Nagrota on the outskirts of Jammu city early Sunday morning.
“The devotees will perform darshan on Tuesday and are expected to return to Jammu the following day,” Karwani said, adding, “All arrangements are in place for the pilgrims concerning their safety, security, boarding, and lodging both en route and at the temples.”
Senior Superintendent of Police, Jammu, Joginder Singh echoed the preparedness: “Full security protocols have been activated to ensure the safe passage and stay of the pilgrims.”
Despite the prevailing tension in the Valley, several devotees expressed their resolve to complete the pilgrimage without fear.
Also read: Top cops, CRPF take stock of security for Kheer Bhawani Mela
Shruti Dhar, an elderly pilgrim who migrated from Sanat Nagar in Srinagar to Jammu, said: “I am a regular visitor to Kheer Bhawani and have no fear of going there this time around. We have been witnessing such situations since our childhood days. Whatever happened in Pahalgam is highly condemnable and barbaric.”
“I am happy to join the caravan and offer my prayers at the temple to seek blessings and pray for the prosperity of J&K, the country, and the return of Pandits to the Valley,” she added.
Saroj, a non-Kashmiri married to a Kashmiri Pandit and visiting the Valley for the first time, said: “Kashmir is part of India, and the Pahalgam attack was possibly an attempt by the terrorists to frighten us. We have to defeat their designs and visit the place in good numbers.”
Echoing the sentiment, Raj Kumar, a Delhi-based member of the displaced community, said: “The government should be more alert to prevent Pahalgam-type incidents.”
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