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SRINAGAR: Whilst worry has gripped the migrant Kashmiri Pandits and minority neighborhood over centered killings through militants within the Valley, the yearly Zeshta Ashtami competition referred to as Kheer Bhawani mela can be held at Kheer Bhawani temple at Tulmulla in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district on June 8.
Priest of the Kheer Bhawani temple Pandit Kalbushan Sharma instructed The New Indian Categorical that the yearly Kheer Bhawani mela can be hung on June 8 and arrangements are underway for the annual competition.
The well-known Ragnya Devi temple sometimes called Kheer Bhawani temple at Tulumulla space in Ganderbal district is respected through the Kashmiri Pandits. Hundreds of Kashmiri Pandits talk over with the temple once a year at the instance of the yearly Zeshta Ashtami competition.
The yearly competition was once held in a low-key affair in 2021 with just a handful of devotees visiting the temple because of the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2020, the yearly mela was once cancelled because of the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic however the Aarti was once telecast on-line.
Sharma mentioned in view of the present scenario within the Valley, a lesser choice of Pandit devotees are anticipated to talk over with the temple this 12 months. “We predict 10000-15000 devotees to talk over with the temple on June 8,” he mentioned.
The glide of Kashmiri Pandit devotees to the temple has declined after the killing of Pandit worker Rahul Bhat on Would possibly 12 and next goal killings within the Valley. In 2019, about 55000 devotees visited the temple and presented particular puja on the competition.
The temple premises additionally has a spring and in line with the Pandits, the color of the water within the spring is a hallmark of the location within the valley. In line with Sharma, the spring within the temple has modified its color and now the water of the spring is blue color
“The color of the spring was once purple a fortnight again and now it’s blue. The blue indicates the color of peace,” he mentioned and was hoping that there can be peace and tranquillity in J&Okay. Sharma mentioned if the spring reveals purple or black color, it’s being observed as a foul omen.
The Pandits had migrated en masse from Kashmir after the eruption of militancy in 1989. On the other hand, they’ve been every year visiting Kashmir since 1994 to wait the Kheer Bhawani competition.