<p>Srinagar: Weeks after a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam sent shockwaves across Kashmir and beyond, devotees - many of them Kashmiri Pandits—are making their way to the revered Mata Kheer Bhawani temple in Tulmulla, Ganderbal, in a powerful reaffirmation of faith and resilience.</p><p>The annual Kheer Bhawani Mela will be observed on Tuesday at five Ragnya Bhagwati shrines across the Kashmir Valley: Tulmulla in Ganderbal, Manzgam and Devsar in Kulgam, Logripora in Anantnag, and Tikkar in Kupwara. </p><p>Devotees will offer prayers and perform darshan at these sacred sites on Jyeshtha Ashtami, a day of deep spiritual significance.</p><p>Although the usual rush of pilgrims appears subdued this year, hundreds of devotees from across Jammu and Kashmir and other parts of the country were seen en route to the Tulmulla shrine on Sunday.</p><p>“We cannot let fear dictate our faith,” said Sunil Bhat, a Pandit making the journey from Jammu. “This pilgrimage is not just a religious act—it is about reclaiming our roots, asserting our presence, and seeking peace.”</p>.Hundreds of Kashmiri Pandit devotees leave for Kheer Bhawani mela.<p>Bhat also lauded the efforts of the local Muslim community in facilitating the festival. “Just like during the Amarnath Yatra, local Muslims go out of their way to help make this event a success. This is the true spirit of Kashmiriyat—the hallmark of harmony that Kashmir is known for,” he said.</p><p>To ensure safety amid recent security concerns, officials have put in place comprehensive, multi-layered arrangements. These include drone surveillance, identity checks, and deployment of paramilitary personnel around the Kheer Bhawani shrine and other pilgrimage sites.</p><p>The annual gathering carries immense emotional and spiritual weight for the Kashmiri Pandit community. Nearly 55,000 Pandit families were forced to flee the Valley in the early 1990s during the onset of a violent insurgency. Before their migration, many families visited the temple regularly for monthly havan and puja rituals. Now, the community gathers once a year on Jyeshtha Ashtami to keep the tradition alive.</p><p>After the Amarnath Yatra, the Kheer Bhawani Mela is considered the largest Hindu congregation in Kashmir. It stands not only as a religious event but as a symbol of hope, endurance, and communal harmony.</p><p>The Kheer Bhawani temple, believed to have been built by Maharaja Pratap Singh in 1912, is an archaeologically significant site. Excavations in the area have revealed ancient stone sculptures dating back to the Hindu period, adding layers of historical depth to the religious importance of the shrine.</p>
<p>Srinagar: Weeks after a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam sent shockwaves across Kashmir and beyond, devotees - many of them Kashmiri Pandits—are making their way to the revered Mata Kheer Bhawani temple in Tulmulla, Ganderbal, in a powerful reaffirmation of faith and resilience.</p><p>The annual Kheer Bhawani Mela will be observed on Tuesday at five Ragnya Bhagwati shrines across the Kashmir Valley: Tulmulla in Ganderbal, Manzgam and Devsar in Kulgam, Logripora in Anantnag, and Tikkar in Kupwara. </p><p>Devotees will offer prayers and perform darshan at these sacred sites on Jyeshtha Ashtami, a day of deep spiritual significance.</p><p>Although the usual rush of pilgrims appears subdued this year, hundreds of devotees from across Jammu and Kashmir and other parts of the country were seen en route to the Tulmulla shrine on Sunday.</p><p>“We cannot let fear dictate our faith,” said Sunil Bhat, a Pandit making the journey from Jammu. “This pilgrimage is not just a religious act—it is about reclaiming our roots, asserting our presence, and seeking peace.”</p>.Hundreds of Kashmiri Pandit devotees leave for Kheer Bhawani mela.<p>Bhat also lauded the efforts of the local Muslim community in facilitating the festival. “Just like during the Amarnath Yatra, local Muslims go out of their way to help make this event a success. This is the true spirit of Kashmiriyat—the hallmark of harmony that Kashmir is known for,” he said.</p><p>To ensure safety amid recent security concerns, officials have put in place comprehensive, multi-layered arrangements. These include drone surveillance, identity checks, and deployment of paramilitary personnel around the Kheer Bhawani shrine and other pilgrimage sites.</p><p>The annual gathering carries immense emotional and spiritual weight for the Kashmiri Pandit community. Nearly 55,000 Pandit families were forced to flee the Valley in the early 1990s during the onset of a violent insurgency. Before their migration, many families visited the temple regularly for monthly havan and puja rituals. Now, the community gathers once a year on Jyeshtha Ashtami to keep the tradition alive.</p><p>After the Amarnath Yatra, the Kheer Bhawani Mela is considered the largest Hindu congregation in Kashmir. It stands not only as a religious event but as a symbol of hope, endurance, and communal harmony.</p><p>The Kheer Bhawani temple, believed to have been built by Maharaja Pratap Singh in 1912, is an archaeologically significant site. Excavations in the area have revealed ancient stone sculptures dating back to the Hindu period, adding layers of historical depth to the religious importance of the shrine.</p>