Displaced Kashmiri Pandits gathered at the Nand Kishore temple in Bandipora district, Jammu and Kashmir, to mark the three-day Sumbli Mawas festival after a hiatus of 36 years. Originating from various parts of the country, these migrants rejoiced in the festivities commemorating the birth anniversary of Kashmiri Pandit Saint, Maharaj Nand Kishore. The event provided an emotional reunion for Pandits who once called Sumbal home, fostering unity across religious divides as old neighbors, both Muslim and Pandit, shared tears and bemoaned the fate that separated them.
The Sumbal area, historically owned by prominent Kashmiri Pandit families, has undergone significant transformation over the years. Previously adorned with vast apple orchards, these lands have now given way to residential and commercial developments. Many Pandit families were compelled to sell their ancestral properties due to distress, while others fell victim to illegal encroachments during times of heightened violence in the region. Authorities have implemented stringent security measures and logistical preparations to ensure the smooth progression of the festival.
The festival holds profound significance for the Kashmiri Pandit community, whose painful memories of forced migration in the early 1990s continue to resonate. Fleeing the valley amidst escalating Pakistan-backed terrorism, thousands of Pandits left behind their homes and lands, seeking refuge in Jammu and other parts of the country. The scars of displacement remain etched in the community’s collective consciousness, with many still unable to return to their roots. Against this backdrop, the gathering in Sumbal symbolizes a poignant moment of unity and remembrance for the dispersed community members.
