Kashmiri Pandits begin journey to Kheer Bhawani
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Srinagar: Hundreds of devotees arrived in Kashmir Valley on Sunday to attend the Mela Kheer Bhawani in Ganderbal district of central Kashmir on June 3.The administration has made elaborate arrangements to ensure the safety and security of devotees to attend the annual festival of the Kashmiri Pandits that attracts devotees from across the country and from some foreign countries as well.The annual Zeshta Ashtami festival known as Kheer Bhawani Mela , one of the important festivals of the Kashmiri Pandits will be held at Kheer Bhawani temple at Tulmulla in central Kashmir's Ganderbal district. The festival will also be celebrated at Ragnya Bhagwati shrines at Manzgam and Devsar in Kulgam, Logripora in Anantnag and Tikkar in Kupwara on the same day.This is the first major event in Kashmir after the Pahalgam attack on April 22, in which 25 Indians and a Nepalese citizen were killed. The attack put a stop to the bustling tourist activity across J&K and triggered an escalation of tension between India and Pakistan.The officials flagged off a convoy of around 60 busses majorly carrying Kashmiri Pandits, from Jammu on Sunday morning that reached Kashmir Valley in the evening. However, due to the prevailing uncertainty in the Valley, the number of devotees may be significantly less compared to recent years.The devotees will perform 'darshan' at the temples on Tuesday and will return to Jammu a day later. Inspector General of Police in Kashmir, VK Birdi, also conducted a detailed review of the security setup both within and around the temple premises. Birdi directed all senior district officers to maintain the highest level of alertness, ensure robust access control measures, and provide all essential amenities to facilitate a peaceful and spiritually fulfilling experience for the devotees."We come here regularly and despite the situation decided to come again this year. Faith cannot be constrained by any situation and we shall overcome this as well," said Shamlal Bhat, a migrant and devotee currently in Jammu. He said this is our chance of "reunion with the homeland" which cannot be missed.
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