Aaj Chaman main phir se bahaar aaye hai" (spring has come back again), said Ashok Kumar, a devout Kashmiri Pandit, living in exile for the last 34 years, when he was asked to share his emotions after he paid obeisance at the famous Ragnya Devi temple in Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir on the occasion of annual Mela Kheer Bhawani on Friday.
Along with him thousands of others also participated in the rituals and soaked themselves in the spiritual atmosphere in the precincts of the temple complex nestled amidst mammoth Chinar trees in the central Kashmir district.
The recent upsurge in terrorist violence across the Jammu region failed to deter these Kashmiri Pandits from visiting the annual Kheer Bhawani Mela often labelled as a symbol of communal harmony.
Every year, Kashmiri Pandits express hope to one day return to their 'homes and hearths'. However, to date, successive Governments have failed to ensure their permanent return to the valley.
"We have been yearning for 'ghar wapsi' since 1990. We have been coming here like tourists all these years. There is no yatri niwas. The government should think about expanding boarding and lodging facilities for us. We can't go back to our homes. Our old friends come and meet us. Some of them even host us for a day or two but we are still waiting for our permanent homecoming," said Pyare Lal from Ganderbal.
He said that Kashmiri Pandit families travelled from different corners of the country and even from other countries to offer prayers on the occasion of Jyeshtha Ashtami. "Devotees offer milk and kheer (rice pudding) at the sacred spring within the temple complex while chanting 'sholokas'".
The local Muslim families welcome us and set up small shops offering pooja materials and other logistics support to ensure hassle-free celebrations.
Krishan ji Bhat, another migrant Kashmiri Pandit, claimed, "Each year, we board buses from the Jagti migrant camp and come here under tight security cover. We feel caged. We are told to obey strict instructions given by the security officers to ensure our safety".
"Everything is in the hands of God. There is some fear but people have come here in large numbers. Faith is more powerful than fear," Sunny, a Kashmiri Pandit from Delhi, said.
It is believed that the colour of the sacred spring water flowing beneath the temple here reflects the conditions in the valley.
While most of the colours do not have any particular significance, black or darkish colour of the water is believed to be an indication of inauspicious times for Kashmir. However, the water in the spring was clean and milky white this year.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant-Governor Manoj Sinha also paid obeisance at the temple and offered special prayers.
Speaking to reporters later, the LG said that over 30,000 devotees paid obeisance at Mela Kheer Bhawani this year.
"More than 30,000 devotees visited the Kheer Bhawani temple. Jammu and Kashmir administration and those who have faith in the deity, have made very good arrangements. The devotees were ferried in around 200 buses from Jammu. Some people have come from Delhi as well," he said.
Sinha said: "A 'Yatri Niwas' is being built here to accommodate 1,000 pilgrims.
"Last year, when I came here, pilgrims had requested for a Yatri Niwas. I spoke to officials concerned and the Yatri Niwas that is to be built will accommodate 1000 pilgrims. I am told that it will come up in the next eight months," he said.
Several politicians also visited the temple on Friday and interacted with the members of the Kashmiri Pandit community.
JKNC President Dr Farooq Abdullah visited Mata Kheer Bhawani Temple, Tulmulla, on the auspicious occasion of Zyesth Ashtami and extended greetings to the Kashmiri Pandit community. He wished for the early return of Kashmiri Pandits to their roots, he added.
J&K BJP Chief Ravinder Raina and CPI(M) leader M Y Tarigami, also paid obeisance at the shrine.
Iltija Mufti, daughter of PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti also visited Kheer Bhawani to wish the Pandit brethren a joyous Zyesth Astham. "The spirit of seva and the urge to serve selflessly was quite amazing, she wrote in her post on X (earlier Twitter).
Before returning from the temple, Ashok Kumar said the community wants to live with their brothers. "We pray to Mata Kheer Bhawani to make it possible for us to live like we used to before in peace and harmony. We want to return to our homeland," he said. "We are thankful to our Muslim brothers for making special arrangements and extending facilities," he added.
