Bandipora, June 16: Temple bells echoed through Kaloosa village in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district on Monday as hundreds of devotees, including members of the Kashmiri Pandit community, joined personnel of the 3rd Battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in a special religious ceremony at the historic Bhajan and Sharda Temple.
The gathering offered prayers for peace, communal harmony, and the successful conduct of the annual Amarnath Yatra, scheduled to commence on July 3.
On the occasion, the CRPF dedicated and installed a sacred Murti during a Pooja Asthapan ceremony attended by CRPF officers and personnel, members of the Kashmiri Pandit community, Army officials, local residents, and temple management representatives.
The historic temple reverberated with devotional bhajans, ringing bells, and Vedic chants as priests performed traditional rituals to consecrate the newly installed Murti. Devotees offered prayers seeking peace, prosperity, and the well-being of all communities in Jammu and Kashmir.
For many members of the Kashmiri Pandit community, the ceremony carried deep emotional significance. Several devotees said hearing the temple bells ring again brought back memories of life before the migration of Kashmiri Pandits from the Valley in the early 1990s, after which many temples fell silent for years.
“Hearing the temple bells ring again fills our hearts with joy. After the migration of Kashmiri Pandits in the 1990s, many temples in the Valley remained silent and unattended. Today’s ceremony is not only a religious event but also a symbol of hope, revival, and our enduring connection with our ancestral land,” said a member of the Kashmiri Pandit community who attended the function.
Participants described the event as a symbol of faith, spiritual unity, and Kashmir’s shared cultural heritage. Many said the ceremony was particularly significant as it brought together local residents, security personnel, and members of the Kashmiri Pandit community under one roof.
A CRPF personnel participating in the ceremony said, “We are honoured to be part of this sacred event. Such occasions strengthen bonds with local communities and reflect our collective commitment to peace, harmony, and mutual respect. We pray for a peaceful and brotherhood in Kashmir.”
Army officials, CRPF personnel, devotees, and members of the Kashmiri Pandit community collectively offered prayers for peace, prosperity, and communal harmony across the region.
The ceremony concluded with the distribution of prasad among devotees, who appreciated the initiative and said such events help preserve religious traditions while fostering closer ties between security forces and local communities.
