Pandits and Muslims Write a New Chapter of Kashmir’s Brotherhood
Kashmir Leaders Praise Kheer Bhawani Mela Turnout; Call for Pandits’ Return to Valley
Suhail Khan
Ganderbal, June 03: Amid the shadow of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and heightened border tensions, faith ultimately triumphed over fear—as exemplified by scores of Kashmiri Pandits who gathered in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district for the annual Kheer Bhawani Mela on Tuesday.
The Kheer Bhawani festival, held at the sacred Ragnya Devi Temple in Tulmula, is a deeply revered religious event for the Kashmiri Pandit community. This year, the mela witnessed a massive turnout of devotees from across the country, reaffirming their unwavering faith and enduring spiritual connection with the ancient temple.
Dedicated to Goddess Ragnya Devi, an incarnation of Goddess Durga, the Kheer Bhawani Temple is considered one of the holiest sites for Kashmiri Hindus. The temple derives its name from the traditional offering of ‘kheer’ (rice pudding) made with milk, which devotees present to the deity during the festival.
The celebration takes place on Jyeshtha Ashtami, a spiritually auspicious day with deep mythological significance. According to legend, Lord Hanuman brought Ragnya Devi from Lanka to Kashmir during the Ramayana era, and she has been worshipped here ever since.
Despite decades of displacement following the 1990s Kashmir conflict, Kashmiri Pandits have continued to visit the Kheer Bhawani Temple annually. This year, the mela transformed into a grand spiritual gathering, marked by improved facilities and heartfelt celebrations.
Jagdish Bharadwaj Pandit, a priest at the temple, described the event as Mata’s birthday celebration, fostering unity between Hindus and Muslims. “This temple is a beacon of unity. The celebrations reflect communal harmony and India’s cultural strength,” he said.
Relief and Rehabilitation Commissioner Arvind Karwani stated that extensive arrangements were made for devotees traveling from Jammu. Over 60 buses were flagged off to ensure safe transportation. Facilities included accommodation, health services, food, and a 10-bed hospital in Tulmulla, along with a stopover at Ramban equipped with food and sanitation amenities. Security was tightened, with paramilitary forces deployed en route and at the shrine to ensure smooth and safe celebrations.
One of the most heartwarming aspects of the festival was the active participation of local Muslim residents, who assisted with arrangements, reaffirming Kashmir’s age-old tradition of communal harmony.
Local resident Ashok Kumar praised the exceptional facilities this year and highlighted the unity among different faiths. Another devotee, Ratanlal Bali, described the goddess as his *Kuldevi* (family deity) and emphasized the peaceful environment, saying, *“Muslim brothers respect this shrine as much as we do.”*
The Kheer Bhawani Mela is not just a religious gathering—it is a symbol of faith, resilience, and cultural revival. For Kashmiri Pandits, it serves as a powerful reminder of their roots. For the people of Kashmir, it is a message of unity and coexistence. As devotees offered prayers at the sacred spring and chants of *“Jai Mata Di”* echoed through the air, this year’s mela left behind more than spiritual blessings—it rekindled hope, faith, and harmony in the heart of the valley.
Among the pilgrims were many whose families were forced to leave the Kashmir Valley after the outbreak of militancy. Many prayed for peace in the Valley and for their dignified return, hoping to end their ‘banwaas’ (exile).
Bharat Bhushan, a Kashmiri Pandit currently living in Jammu, said the massive turnout was a fitting response to the Pahalgam attackers. “This is a befitting reply to them. We want to tell them—faith is more powerful than fear, and faith will always triumph over fear. We will respond to terror and fear through faith,” he declared.
He also appealed to tourists to visit Kashmir, saying, “There are some bad elements who want to destroy Hindu-Muslim brotherhood. They tried to do that in Pahalgam. But today, we respond by saying that this brotherhood will endure. We urge tourists to visit ‘paradise on earth.’ Bad elements exist in every community; they should be identified and dealt with as per the law.”
Muktesh Yogi, a young Kashmiri Pandit whose family migrated from Mattan in Anantnag, said the large gathering sent a positive message. “The fervor and attendance here show that there is no threat perception. The people of Kashmir are welcoming,” he said, adding, “Faith is always more powerful than fear.”
As devotees walked barefoot, carrying rose petals and jostling to move closer to the temple, hymns echoed through the compound. Many took a dip in the nearby stream, offering milk and kheer at the sacred spring.
It is believed that the color of the spring water beneath the temple reflects the Valley’s situation. While most colors hold no particular significance, black or darkish water is considered an omen of inauspicious times. This year, the water remained clean and milky white—a hopeful sign.
“We want to return. A dialogue process should begin, but it must lead to concrete action, not just statements,” Yogi said.
Nanna Ji, another devotee, expressed the collective longing of Kashmiri Pandits. “We have waited over three decades to return. May Mata call us home soon. I hope Kashmiri Muslims will also step forward and invite us back.”
Notably, the past two months have seen a massive influx of devotees from outside Kashmir, despite the Pahalgam attack and border tensions.
Meanwhile, Kashmir’s tourism industry eagerly awaits the return of visitors, with both government and private initiatives underway to revive the sector.
The Kheer Bhawani Mela stands as a testament to unshakable faith, resilience, and the enduring spirit of Kashmiriyat—proving once again that faith will always prevail over fear.
Meanwhile, Leaders across political parties commended the strong turnout of devotees at the Mela Kheer Bhawani in Kashmir, viewing it as a testament to resilience despite recent tensions, including the Pahalgam attack and heightened border unrest. They also emphasized the need for Kashmiri Pandits to return to the Valley with dignity.
Farooq Abdullah, president of the ruling National Conference (NC), expressed hope that the Kashmiri Pandit community would return to the Valley, stating that their participation in the Mela Kheer Bhawani despite the Pahalgam attack was a “strong rebuke” to those behind the violence.
“The presence of devotees at the mela is significant. It is the divine will of Mata (the temple deity), who has called them back to their homeland,” Abdullah told reporters after visiting the shrine during the fair.
“The fear among people is fading. This is a fitting response to those trying to disrupt communal harmony,” added the former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister.
Abdullah described Kashmir as a land of *rishi-munis* and Sufis, emphasizing that the Kheer Bhawani Mela reflects this shared spiritual heritage. He expressed optimism that the event would mark the beginning of Kashmiri Pandits’ return to their roots.
“Devotees come here seeking blessings, praying for relief from personal and national challenges. We hope this mela paves the way for our brothers and sisters to return and live here peacefully,” he said.
Tariq Hameed Karra, chief of the Jammu and Kashmir Congress (an NC ally), stated that the mela’s turnout was a powerful response to the Pahalgam terror attack, demonstrating Kashmir’s enduring commitment to religious unity.
“Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, and Christians have all gathered here, celebrating festivals together,” Karra said after offering prayers at the event.
He stressed the importance of political empowerment for Kashmiri Pandits to facilitate their reintegration.
“Merely symbolic measures won’t suffice. We must ensure their political representation through reserved seats, enabling them to contest elections and integrate naturally into society,” Karra asserted.
Opposition leader Mehbooba Mufti of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) stated that any political resolution in Jammu and Kashmir would remain incomplete without the honorable return of Kashmiri Pandits.
“The PDP believes that Jammu and Kashmir’s issues cannot be resolved through violence. Neither militancy nor military action offers a solution—only a political process can,” she said.
“But this process will remain unfinished until our Kashmiri Pandit brothers and sisters return with dignity, resettle here, and contribute to society,” Mufti added after visiting the Mata Ragnya Devi temple during the fair.
Earlier, she had presented Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha with a comprehensive roadmap for the phased and inclusive return of Kashmiri Pandits, emphasizing that their reintegration should be substantive, not merely symbolic.
Meanwhile, LG Manoj Sinha described the large gathering at the fair as a “positive development,” particularly in the wake of the Pahalgam attack.
“The significant number of devotees attending Mela Kheer Bhawani is encouraging. This is the first time since April 22 that such a crowd has assembled,” Sinha remarked after paying homage at the Ragnya Devi temple in Ganderbal.
Suhail Khan is a filmmaker, content writer, and freelance journalist.
