Bhawani mela: An opportunity for KPs to visit their roots

Ajay Pandita, a migrant Kashmiri Pandit, has been yearning for long to re-visit his roots in the Kashmir Valley.
And the opportunity came today as thousands of Kashmiri Pandits congregated at the famous temple of Ragnya Devi here on the occassion of annual Kheer Bhawani mela.
Situated amidst Chinar trees in this village of central Kashmir's Ganderbal district, the revered temple is thronged by devotees, mostly Kashmiri Pandits, every year for paying obeisance.
The devotees believe the colour of the spring water flowing under the temple hints at the situation in Kashmir.
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.

Some people claim to have observed a murky tinge to the water just before the assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and the eruption of militancy in 1989 in the Valley.
Pandita, aged 36, who was among thousands of Kashmiri Pandits to flee the Valley in 1990, feels not much has changed in his homeland over the past two decades.
"Nothing has changed here over the years. The same brotherhood among the communities which I was witness to during my early years of life is still visible everywhere. I don't feel like an outsider," Pandita, accompanied by his wife Sheen, told PTI.