Kashmiri Pandits visit Kheer Bhawani temple but number is less

Kashmiri Pandits today celebrated the annual Kheer Bhawani festival here -- a symbol of Hindu-Muslim amity -- even though their number was lesser compared to the last year because of bad weather in the Valley over the last few days.
Amid chants of Vedic hymns and ringing of bells, pilgrims prayed for peace in militancy-hit Jammu and Kashmir at the temple of 'Ragnya Devi' situated amid the majestic Chinar trees in this village of Ganderbal district.
Walking barefoot and carrying rose petals, Kashmiri Pandits throng the temple every year and offer milk and "kheer" (pudding) to the sacred spring within the complex.

The traditional festival has continued uninterrupted even during the height of militancy and despite migration of Pandits from the Valley as they have been coming here every year from Jammu and other places.
Authorities assessed that between 20,000 to 30,000 people paid their respects at the famous temple this time, as compared to 60,000 last year on this day of annual fair.
The atmosphere was filled with fervour and brotherhood between Hindus and the Muslims. The fair is a symbol of centuries-old communal harmony and brotherhood as local Muslims make all arrangements for devotees and even set up stalls selling flowers and other material for the devotees to offer at the temple.

"There are less number of pilgrims this year and this has happened due to rains for the past few days," said Jai Kishan Raina, a Kashmiri Pandit who paid his obeisance at the temple.

He also blamed bad condition of Srinagar-Jammu national highway, the only land route that connects Kashmir valley with rest of the country, as another factor for the fewer number of pilgrims since most of them have to come from Jammu.
"Government has not done anything for the highway. It is in bad condition and people avoid travelling," Raina said.
Similar views were expressed by a number of other pilgrims, who said the government should seriously focus on improving the condition of the highway.

"Government has been saying that the road will be made better and that there would be four-laning of the national highway, but so far nothing much has been done," said Sushil Koul, a resident of Habba Kadal in downtown Srinagar.
The pilgrims, however, praised the arrangements made by the government for the annual festival. "The arrangements are nice but the weather has been bad," said Inder Kak.
Devotees believe the colour of the sacred spring water flowing under the temple hints at the situation in the Valley. While most of the colours do not have any particular significance, black or darkish colour of the water is believed to be an indicator of inauspicious times for Kashmir.

The water in the spring this year was clean and pure, which the devotees believe is a good omen for the Valley.