Hundreds of Kashmiri Pandit devotees gathered at the Tulmul temple shrine of Mata Kheer Bhawani in Jammu and Kashmir for the annual Mela. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha extended greetings to the devotees, emphasizing the spiritual significance of the occasion. The festival symbolizes values of faith, devotion, harmony, and coexistence, reflecting the region’s cultural heritage.
LG Manoj Sinha conveyed his warm wishes to all, especially the Kashmiri Pandit community, on the sacred occasion of Jyeshtha Ashtami. CM Omar Abdullah highlighted the festival’s importance in strengthening communal harmony and mutual respect. Devotees from various parts of the country arrived at the shrine using different modes of transport, engaging in nightlong prayers and rituals.
The Mata Kheer Bhawani temple shrine, dedicated to the Hindu goddess Mata Ragnya, holds immense significance for Kashmiri Pandits. The deity’s shrine, constructed over a sacred spring, attracts devotees who offer milk and rice pudding as a gesture of reverence. The worship of Mata Kheer Bhawani is deeply rooted in the traditions of the Kashmiri Pandit community, with the color of the spring believed to foretell the region’s future.
CM Omar’s administration has ensured elaborate arrangements for security, healthcare, and accommodation of devotees, with security forces deployed along the route from Srinagar to Tulmul town. The festival serves as a reminder of the shared cultural diversity and traditions that have defined Jammu and Kashmir for centuries.
