Aatif Qayoom
Handwara, May 16: After 36 years, Kashmiri Pandits on Saturday performed a hawan at the historic Nand Rishi temple in Vilgam area of Handwara in north Kashmir, marking an emotional return to the shrine they left behind in the early 1990s.
The religious gathering saw members of the Kashmiri Pandit community participate in prayers and rituals at the Nand Kishore temple. Devotees described the occasion as a big moment of reconnecting with their roots and religious heritage after more than three decades.
Members of the community said the event became possible due to the support and encouragement extended by local residents of Vilgam. They said locals welcomed them warmly and motivated them to perform the hawan in the same spirit as it used to take place before the migration of Pandits from the Valley.
One of the devotees said the atmosphere during the prayers reflected brotherhood and mutual respect. He said local residents helped in making arrangements for the successful conduct of the hawan and ensured that devotees faced no difficulty during the event.
The devotees also appreciated the role of the local Army, Twelve Maratha, for providing assistance and ensuring smooth conduct of the religious programme.
Members of the temple committee said they have repeatedly requested the government to construct residential accommodation for visiting Kashmiri Pandits so that they can stay comfortably during future visits and religious events.
They said many devotees currently have to travel to nearby places for overnight stay due to the lack of accommodation facilities in the area. The committee urged the administration to take necessary steps for better facilities and arrangements to support such religious gatherings in the future.
The event concluded peacefully with devotees expressing hope that such visits and religious functions will continue in the coming years with the support of locals and authorities.