Srinagar, May 27: Leaders from various political parties on Saturday extended greetings to the people on the occasion of Mela Kheer Bhawani, terming it an example of religious harmony that has been a mainstay of Kashmir’s centuries-old culture and tradition.
Jammu & Kashmir National Conference president and Member of the Parliament from Srinagar Dr. Farooq Abdullah and vice president Omar Abdullah greeted the Pandit community. Dr Farooq said, “I extend warm greetings to the people, particularly Kashmiri Pandit brethren, on the eve of Mela and pray that the festivity acts as a harbinger of peace and prosperity in the region.”
In his greeting message, Omar said, “Mela Kheer Bhawani (Zyeth Atham) Mubarak to our Kashmiri Pandit brethren everywhere. The ancient festival is a lustrous example of communal harmony and brotherhood which symbolize the centuries past glorious pluralistic ethos of Jammu and Kashmir. A glaring symbol of our rich past, Mela Kheer Bhawani reflects the closely-knit fabric of Kashmiri culture and ethos. I hope and pray the solemn occasion further strengthens the sense of kinship and unity among the people.”
Former J&K chief minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President, Mehbooba Mufti while extending her heartfelt greetings said the festival holds immense significance in the rich cultural fabric of Jammu and Kashmir.
“This annual festival, celebrated with great fervor, exemplifies the bonhomie and harmonious coexistence between the Kashmiri Pandits and Kashmiri Muslims, transcending religious boundaries and fostering communal harmony,” she said in a statement.
“Mela Kheer Bhawani represents a unique amalgamation of spirituality, culture, and communal harmony. It provides a platform for Kashmiri Pandits and Kashmiri Muslims to come together, exchange greetings, and share their rich traditions and customs. The festival epitomizes the syncretic ethos of Jammu and Kashmir, where people from diverse backgrounds coexist harmoniously, united by their shared love for this land,” Mehbooba said.
Chairman Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) Ghulam Nabi Azad in a statement said the festival of Mata Ragnya Devi at Kheer Bhawani reflects the age-old tradition of bonhomie between Kashmiri Pandits and Muslims as both communities come together at Tulmulla to celebrate the Mela.
“I extend my greetings to Kashmiri Pandits on Zeisht Ashtami which is the auspicious day to be celebrated across Kashmir,” he said. Azad urged the government to provide all required facilities to the devotees visiting Tulmulla or other revered places in Kashmir.
Apni Party president Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari said the auspicious festival has always been a powerful symbol of the pluralistic ethos deeply rooted within the vibrant community of Kashmiris. In his message, Bukhari said, “I extend my heartfelt greetings to the people, especially the Pandit brethren, on the spiritual festival of Kheer Bhawani.”
“For centuries, Kheer Bhawani Mela has been significant in fostering communal harmony and brotherhood between the communities of Kashmiri Pandits and Muslims. The festival symbolises Kashmir’s rich pluralistic ethos and the reason that Kashmiri people from various religious identities come together in unity to celebrate this annual Mela,” Bukhari said.
Chairman J&K Peoples Democratic Front (JKPDF) and former minister Hakeem Muhammad Yaseen said the Mela Kheer Bhawani was one of the most sacred festivals of Kashmiri Pandits which is equally being revered by the Muslim community in the valley.
In his felicitation message, Yaseen said, “Zyestha Ashtami holds immense religious importance for Kashmiri Pandit brothers and sisters. The Kheer Bhawani Mela has become a symbol of communal harmony and brotherhood in Kashmir over the years as it showcases rich traditions of composite culture and ethos of Kashmiris.”
Meanwhile, Apni Party, Youth Wing, General Secretary and Spokesperson, Abhay Bakaya has expressed serious concern over “poor arrangements” for the Kashmiri Pandit devotees in Kheer Bhawani, in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district.
In a statement issued here, Abhay alleged that the administration and relief and rehabilitation department had flagged off the devotees from Jammu on May 26, 2023, without making elaborate arrangements for them in the valley.
“The authorities have made very poor arrangements for the devotees in Kheer Bhawani which triggered a massive protest demonstration against the Ganderbal administration. It appears there is a lack of coordination between the administration and the voluntary organizations which arranged the journey of pilgrims from Jammu,” he said, adding, “This is for the first time that so much chaos was witnessed at Kheer Bhawani during the sacred mela.”
“The devotees were not provided appropriate accommodation to stay whereas the women and children were among the sufferers,” he alleged. Bakaya demanded immediate intervention of the LG J&K Manoj Sinha to “end discrimination” with the migrant Kashmiri Pandit devotees.
