TULMULLA, Central Kashmir : “Mela Khirbhawani”, one of the important festivals of Kashmiri pandits was today celebrated with religious fervour and gaiety in the central Kashmir district of Ganderbal. Jammu and Kashmir Governor N N Vohra, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh and advisor to Chief Minister Prof Amitabh Mattoo greeted the people, particularly members of the pandit community.
Large number of Kashmiri pandits, who had come from different parts of the country participated in the night-long prayers at Khirbhawani temple, where it is said that a spring changes colours from time to time. The spring takes on various hues like red, pink, orange, green, blue and has often light green, red rosy and milky white shades. Priest Kulbushan Sharma, looking after the shrine, claimed that the color of the spring changes as an indicator of the happenings in the future in Kashmir valley. “Any shade of black colour is supposed to be inauspicious for the inhabitants of the valley,” he said.
He said that the spring turned black when Jammu and Kashmir was hit by the most furious and devastating floods the state saw in over a century in September 2014. He further said that the spring turned red when Pakistan attacked India during Kargil war.
The devotees, including women, children and elderly persons, some of them participating in the Mela for the first time since their migration in early 90s from here, expressed happiness. Participating in the Havan and other Pujan was more than religious for us, the migrant pandits said adding it was dream come true to visit this place during our life time as many of our elders passed away without their wish being fulfilled to visit Kashmir again.
It was heartening to see Muslims, who are observing fast, serving eatables and other materials for puja to us, the migrant pandit said adding they did not see any change except concrete building everywhere, including in paddy and saffron fields besides in orchards.
The Muslims, selling flowers, milk, agarbati and other things necessary for puja near the temple said it was also more than business for them. “We are waiting for this festival for entire year as it give us pleasure to be part of the mela which is real Kashmiriyat,” they said.
The authorities had made all arrangements, including their stay, water, power, health and security for the devotees.
The government had operated special transport service to bring the migrant pandits from Jammu to Tulmulla. However, majority of them had come in their own or private transport. A number of organizations have set up free langars while health department had posted doctors and paramedical staff there for the devotees. The organisors of the festival said that it will continue for few more days and devotees will organize special havans separately and collectively in the temple premises. Governor Vohra has observed that this festival is a shining example of communal harmony and brotherhood, which are the hallmark of the glorious pluralistic ethos of Jammu and Kashmir in the centuries past. The Governor has prayed for peace, harmony, progress and prosperity in the State. Extending her warm greetings to the people, particularly Kashmiri Pandit community Chief Minister prayed for peace and prosperity of the people of the State and the country. She wished the day to be harbinger of happiness and development for Jammu and Kashmir. Emphasizing upon the significance of Mela in the multi-religious ethos of J&K, Ms Mehbooba said that the celebration of the Mela has been an epitome of harmony and brotherhood since ages. She called upon people to strengthen the bond of togetherness between various sections of the society. Ms Mehbooba Mufti described Kashmiri Pandits as “an important segment of Kashmiri ethos without which the very concept of Kashmiriyat is incomplete. Emphasizing the significance of Mela in the multi-religious ethos of the State, the Chief Minister hoped that with the dawn of peace in the state, the Kashmiri Pandit migrants would return to the valley with honour and dignity. She further directed the state administration to ensure all facilities to the pilgrims who are visiting the temple for the annual festival. Deputy Chief minister, Dr Nirmal Singh has also extended warm greetings to the people, particularly Kashmiri Pandit community . In his message of felicitation, Dr Singh prayed for peace and prosperity of the people of the State and the country. He wished the day to be harbinger of happiness and development in the State. Professor Amitabh Mattoo, advisor to the Chief Minister, has extended warm greetings to the people, particularly Kashmiri Pandit community, on Mela Professor Mattoo hoped that the day be a harbinger of happiness, peace and development in the State. Emphasizing upon the significance of Mela in the multi-religious ethos of the State, Professor Mattoo said that the celebration of the Mela has been an epitome of harmony and brotherhood since ages. He called upon the people to strengthen the bond of brotherhood between various sections of the society. (Agencies)
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