The annual Mela Kheer Bhawani, the most important festival of Kashmiri pandits, associated with Hindu Goddess Ragnya Devi was Monday celebrated with religious fervour at Tikker in north Kashmir's Kupwara district.
Hundreds of devotees across Kashmir participated in the function and paid obeisance at the holy temple. Devotees participated in Pooja Archana, Havan and offered floral tributes to the idol of the Mata, walking barefoot, the devotees carried rose petals, milk and offered tribute to the goddess.
The devotees prayed for peace and return of Kashmiri Pandits to the Valley. "During the prayers, we prayed for peace and our return,” said Aasha a Kashmiri Pandit devotee. "We don't want to come here like tourists, rather we want our permanent settlement here. We are living in Jammu due to compulsion, otherwise nobody would like to live in the scorching heat," she added. A group of female devotees who had come after thirty five years to participate in the mela, said they feel nostalgic to take part in the mela. "Our hearts cry whenever we remember the golden days of past," they added.
Annual festival presented the emotional scenes of harmonious coexistence, communal harmony, and cultural bonding between the Kashmiri Pandits and Muslims. "In late eighties we could celebrate this festival together and from last several years the same scenario could be seen here," said a local muslim.
The district administration Kupwara had made adequate arrangements for the devotees, including accommodation, water, electricity, medical assistance.
Deputy Commissioner Kupwara, Shrikant Balasaheb on the occasion said that scores of devotees from across India arrived at Tikker for the blessings which is a great sign for the everlasting peace and harmony. Meanwhile a senior police officer said that robust security arrangements have been put in place for the yatra.