Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR/ JAMMU, June 12: Thousands of pilgrims thronged the holy shrine of Mata Kheer Bhawani at Tulmulla and other shrines of Mata in Kashmir Valley to pay obeisance to Goddess Ragnya on the occasion of Jesht Ashtami today.
Thousands of devotees from Jammu and other parts of the country mostly the Kashmiri Pandits visited the Kheer Bhawani shrine in Tulmulla the abode of Goddess Ragnya and other shrines of Kheer Bhawani at Manzgam, in Kulgam district of South Kashmir, Tikker in Kupwara district of North Kashmir, Khanbarni in Kulgam district of South Kashmir and Logripora in Pahalgam tehsil of Anantnag district today to pay their obeisance to Goddess.
Besides, a large number of devotees drawn from different parts of Jammu also visited the Mata Kheer Bhawani shrine at Bhawani Nagar Janipur which is the replica of Mata Kheer Bhawani Temple of Tulmulla in Jammu district and described as Sidh Peeth by devotees and participated in the annual festival of Jesht Ashtami.
The annual festival of Mata Kheer Bhawani, Tulmulla the name used for Goddess Ragnya, is celebrated as her birthday each year on this day. The shrine includes a spring whose colour, the devotees believe, foretells the annual future for the State. According to Hindu mythology, Goddess Ragnya appeared before Ravana after she was pleased with his devotion. Ravana had an idol of the Goddess installed in Sri Lanka, but angered by his licentious way of life, the Goddess ordered Hanuman to shift her seat to Kashmir.
Despite their exodus from Kashmir Valley in the beginning of 1990s, members of the Pandit community have not given up their practice of visiting the temple.
Over 15, 000 Pandits, including men, women and children, gathered at the shrine to offer ‘Kheer’ (rice pudding) and flowers to propitiate the Goddess. The Muslims living in the town came in large numbers to greet the devotees.
Some Muslims also provide milk to the devotees which was received with love and reverence by members of the Pandit community.
A group of migrant Pandits shouted slogans against Government when Chief Minister arrived at the Shrine for stone pelting incident on a vehicle carrying Kashmiri Pandits in Anantnag last night. The protesters blamed the separatists for their migration and for opposing their return to the Valley. They also accused the mainstream political parties of “non-serious approach to problems faced by the Pandit community”.
A protester said that the Government says it will give us separate colonies and sometimes it says we will be settled at our ancestral places. “These are all political talks because whosoever heads the government, Pandit community is only used as a political tool and nobody wants to address our problems. We are thankful to Muslims in Tulmulla who have welcomed us with open arms,” he added.
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”, said Parijit Koul. He said 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 is heartening to see Muslims, who are observing fast, serving eatables and other materials for puja to us. We don’t see any change except concrete building everywhere, including in paddy and saffron fields besides in orchards”, said Sanjay Tickoo
Large numbers of Muslims were selling flowers, milk, agarbati and other things necessary for puja near the temple. “We are waiting for this festival for entire year as it give us pleasure to be part of the mela which is real Kashmiriyat,” said a flower seller.
Thousands of Kashmiri Pandits who started arriving since yesterday morning, today paid obeisance at the Kheer Bhawani Tulmulla shrine.
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 organisers 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
Authorities had made adequate security arrangements to secure the passage of the devotees to the shrine. Scores of police and paramilitary CRPF personnel lined up the route from Srinagar city to Tulmulla town.
Hundreds of devotees paid their obeisance at Tikker, Khenbarni, Manzgam and Logripora shrines also.
At Manzgam worship of Sandal tree was performed by devotees last night and day long pooja archana of Goddess was performed today. Besides, hawans were also performed by the respective shrine committees. MP Rajya Sabha Nazir Ahmed Laway and MLA Noorabad Abdul Majid Padder also visited the holy Shrine of Manzgam. Mr Padder donated Rs 10 lakh for development of shrine from his CDF.
A hawan was also performed at holy shrine of Mattan on the occasion of Jesht Ashtami today as usual in which a large number of devotees participated.
The rush of devotees continued at Bhawani Nagar Shrine in Jammu from early in the morning and it swelled at the day despite the sweltering heat. The devotees performed pooja archana of Goddess and offered milk, flowers and Kheer in the spring. A hawan was also performed on the occasion by the Ardh Ratre Maha Ragneya Sewa Sanstha Trust.
The authorities had made elaborate arrangements for pilgrims while various social organizations had installed stalls and serving fruit, cold drink and water to devotees.
The function culminated in the evening with Maha Aarti of Goddess in which a large number of devotees participated.
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