STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Despite making foolproof security arrangements, the BJP-PDP alliance government led by Mehbooba Mufti has failed to enthuse majority population of Kashmiri Pandits, living in migrant townships of Jagti and Nagrota, to embark on annual pilgrimage of Kheer Bhawani at Tulamulla on the occasion of Jyestha Ashtami.
Compared to thousands of pilgrims, who used to throng the temple shrine, less than 500 pilgrims went ahead while others decided to skip the event for variety of reasons.
Some sections of Kashmiri Pandit community alleged lack of security cover as primary reason behind skipping the annual congregation while another section of leaders accused the State Government of sitting over the case of missing cop Sameer Bhat.
Multiple power centres within the community also led to chaotic situation and triggered unrest among the members, forcing them to skip the event to avoid getting embroiled in the controversy.
According to a spokesman, Divisional Commissioner, Dr. Mandeep K Bhandari and head of the Mata Kheer Bhawani 2017 Reception Committee and former bureaucrat Kiran Wattal, flagged off Kheer Bhawani Yatra-2017 for Kashmir Valley.
A fleet of 17 buses of State Road Transport Corporation (SRTC), carrying 358 pilgrims, including 237 males and 121 females, left from Nagrota for the festival. In the past, over 20,000 to 30,000 pilgrims used to converge at the temple shrine to offer special prayers.
Speaking on the occasion, the Divisional Commissioner greeted the Yatris and wished that the festival ushers an era of peace and prosperity in the State.
The shrine of the Hindu goddess, Mata Ragyna was built by erstwhile Dogra rulers of Jammu and Kashmir.
Walking barefeet, the devotees carry rose petals and offerings to the goddess. In Jammu, majority of Kashmiri Pandits offer special prayers in Aap Shambu temple where replica of Tulamulla was constructed during peak militancy years.
Watal, who along with his team left with pilgrims, told reporters that “unnecessary” fear has been created by some people and it cannot stop KPs from visiting the shrine of their principal deity.
“It is centuries old yatra. We have been going to Kheer Bhawani temple in Tulamulla Ganderbal, Kheerbhawani temple in Manzgaam (Kulgam), shrine of Mata at Tikker (Kupwara), Tripursundri temple at devsar (Kulgam) tomorrow. KPs are going to all these shrines to pay their obeisance,” Watal said.
He said the state authorities have made security arrangements at par with Amarnath Yatra en route Mata Kheer Bhawani shrine and back.
A voluntary committee, including representatives from camps and non-camps, has been set up under the umbrella of Mata Kheer Bhawani Yatra 2017 Reception Committee with an aim to provide
facilities to the pilgrims en route the temple.
Omkar Nath, who has been visiting the cave shrine for the past 17 years, said that he will not stop going to shrine to pay obeisance.
“I will rather die en route but will not stop going to Mata Kheer Bhawani. I am going this year too,” he said.
The Governor and the Chief Minister have greeted the people on the auspicious occasion.
Governor N N Vohra, in his message, said that this festival is a shining example of communal harmony and brotherhood which symbolise the glorious pluralistic ethos of Jammu and Kashmir in the centuries past.
He also prayed for peace, harmony, progress and prosperity in the State.
Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, greeting people on the eve of Mela Kheer Bhawani, said that the mela symbolises the multi- religious and tolerant ethos of the State which has been an epitome of harmony and brotherhood since ages.
She made an appeal to
people to strengthen the bond of togetherness between various sections of the society which Jammu and Kashmir has been proud of.
Deputy Chief Minister, Dr. Nirmal Singh said that the festival is a shining example of communal harmony and brotherhood, which are the hallmark of the glorious pluralistic ethos of Jammu and Kashmir in the past. He also called upon the people to strengthen the bonds of amity and mutual brotherhood between various sections of society. The Advisor to the Chief Minister, Prof. Amitabh Mattoo, has felicitated the people on the eve of Kheer Bhawani Mela.
