In a significant and emotional event, Kashmiri Pandits gathered at the BrariMaj Temple in Murran, South Kashmir’s Pulwama district, to reignite the sacred fire (Hawan) after a 35-year hiatus. The traditional ritual, steeped in spirituality, brought together scores of Pandits who had been displaced and scattered across India, rekindling old bonds of friendship and brotherhood.
The BrariMaj Temple, situated in the serene Brarimajpur area of Murran, is approximately two kilometers from the district headquarters in Pulwama. Before the turmoil of 1989, Murran was home to around 100 Pandit families, most of whom were forced to flee the valley due to rising violence and threats to their safety.
Bhod Raj, a native of Murran who had been living in Delhi since the exodus, described the emotional significance of the ritual. “Returning to Murran after so many years and seeing the temple come alive with the Hawan again was deeply moving. It felt like a piece of my heart had found its way back,” he said with tears in his eyes.
The Hawan ceremony, held to observe the birthday of the deity, saw Pandits from various parts of India converge on their ancestral village. They coordinated with their former neighbors to arrange the necessary preparations for the ritual. “They rendered their full support, and the administration also assisted us to revive the ritual,” said a Pandit involved in organizing the event.
Sanjay, another Kashmiri Pandit, noted that the temple grounds were alive with the sound of traditional bhajans, performed by a local musical group, adding to the spiritual ambiance of the occasion. He highlighted the heartwarming presence of local Muslims, who participated in the celebrations with genuine warmth and enthusiasm. “Many old friends and neighbors met for the first time in decades, exchanging smiles and heartfelt greetings. The local Muslim community, including the youth of Murran, extended an extraordinary welcome, ensuring that visiting families felt at home,” he said.
The reunion was not just a religious observance but a powerful expression of unity, faith, and the enduring strength of human connections. “As the sacred fire dimmed and the ceremony came to a close, the air remained charged with a sense of togetherness and a collective hope for a harmonious future,” Sanjay added.
Chander Mohan Bhat, another Kashmiri Pandit from the village, highlighted the historical and spiritual significance of the temple.
“The term ‘Brari’ finds its origins in ‘Bhattarika,’ signifying the revered Mother,” he explained. “In Sanskrit, ‘Bhattarika’ carries connotations of reverence and veneration, aligning with the significance of BrariMaej as the Divine Mother Uma,” he said.
The temple’s inception traces back to 1775 when the Bhat dynasty migrated from Sumbal to this village, establishing this sacred sanctuary as a focal point of devotion and spiritual reverence.”
