Jammu, June 3 (UNI) Amid vedic chants and ringing bells, thousands of Kashmiri Pandits on Tuesday paid obeisance at the revered temple of Ragnya Devi (Mata Kheer Bhawani) Temple situated at Bhawani Nagar in Janipur area here on the occasion of Kheer Bhawani festival.

The members of the community prayed for peace in the region at the temple and sought blessings.

The devotees offered flowers to the idols of Mata Kheer Bhawani installed as the replica of a temple in Tulmulla village of Ganderbal district in Srinagar.

Long queues were seen outside the temple and devotees including young and the old, were waiting for their turn to offer prayers and seek blessings.

“We wanted to visit the Ganderbal based Kheer Bhawani Temple to offer prayers but due to some unavoidable circumstances could not go, so visited here as the replica has equal significance,” a Kashmiri Hindu devotee said.

He however, said that he had offered prayers for restoration of normalcy and peace forever in Jammu and Kashmir and hoped that the displaced Kashmiri Hindus may soon return to their homeland.

Meanwhile tight security arrangements were made for smooth conduct of the celebrations.

However, on June 1, a batch of around 2500 members of Kashmiri Pandit community left from Nagrota in Jammu for annual Kheer Bhawani mela in Kashmir amid tight security arrangements, religious fervour and chanting of religious hymns and slogans.

IGP Jammu, Bhim Sen Tuti, in presence of Deputy Commissioner Jammu Sachin Kumar Vaishya and Relief and Rehabilitation Commissioner (M), J&K Dr. Arvind Karwani flagged off the devotees from Jammu.

The Mata Kheer Bhawani Mela is being organized as per tradition at Tulmulla (Ganderbal), Tikker (Kupwara), Devsar and Manzam (Kulgam) and Logripora (Anantnag).

The main congregation is being held at Tulmulla (Ganderbal). The District Administration Ramban had also organized a brief halt for the Yatris at Chandarkot before the Yatra proceeded to Tulmulla and other destinations.

The pilgrims shall return back to Jammu on June 4.

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha also extended heartiest greetings to the people on the eve of the auspicious occasion of Jyeshtha Ashtami.

In a message, the Lieutenant Governor has said: “On the auspicious occasion of Jyeshtha Ashtami, I extend my heartiest greetings to everyone, especially our Kashmiri Pandit brothers and sisters.

May the divine blessings of Mata Kheer Bhawani continue to illuminate our paths, ushering in peace, happiness, and prosperity for all. May the spirit of this sacred occasion further strengthen the bonds of brotherhood, fostering harmony and mutual respect across the communities. Let us on this auspicious day dedicate ourselves to selfless service to the nation and the welfare of people.”

UNI VBH GNK